Jessica Holloway has been caring for two little ones in a unique way for nearly a year, but it’s only recently that her actions have stirred conversation. The 28-year-old from Pennsylvania is a devoted stay-at-home mom to her 16-month-old son, Oliver, and also looks after 18-month-old Leo. Jessica has taken to breastfeeding both boys and recently shared a photo of her nursing them during World Breastfeeding Week. While the week aims to promote the normalization of breastfeeding, many commenters criticized her approach.
A parenting blog, Mama Bean, featured her original post, where some labeled her actions as inappropriate, while others questioned her motives. Jessica, however, anticipated the mixed reactions and remains undeterred. “I know I’m doing what’s best for my babies,” she explained to the New York Daily News. “No one can change my mind.”
Interestingly, Jessica didn’t even know Leo’s mother, Mia Thompson, until they met at a new moms’ photo shoot last year. At that time, Mia was struggling with formula feeding, which was causing Leo some digestive issues. “Breastfeeding Mia’s son came naturally to me,” Jessica shared. “I started babysitting him when he was five months old and asked Mia if I could nurse him since I was already breastfeeding my baby.” Mia happily agreed, and the arrangement has fostered a wonderful bond among the three of them.
The connection has grown so strong that Mia and Leo have since moved in with Jessica, her husband, and Oliver. But what about the safety of milk sharing? While the FDA advises against using donor milk from individuals or online sources due to contamination risks, cross-nursing isn’t a new concept; wet nurses have existed for centuries. Jessica and Mia view this as a nurturing relationship, emphasizing the special bond it has created.
If you want to learn more about the nuances of breastfeeding and parenting, check out this post on Modern Family Blog.
In summary, Jessica Holloway’s decision to breastfeed her friend’s child has sparked a debate around the normalization of cross-nursing, highlighting both the benefits of nurturing and the complexities of societal perceptions regarding breastfeeding.
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