Breast and milk for sale - Ethical?
Jul 26th, 2005 by Lilian
This entry is by lzbone who will be a guest blogger here. (I am not sure how to set guestblogger setting on WP.)
Professional Nanny Wanted in China?
Well, an old profession is now revived in China! I read fom Sin Chew last Sunday, that in China JiangSu YangZhou (江苏扬洲), there is this company that provides professional nanny/nursing-mom (职业奶妈) service to those who cannot directly nurse their newborn.
There are debates over whether it is ethical or not and whether there are any other issues like health and safety thingy.
Is it ethical to use human’s breastmilk as commercial good? I heard that in Islam, one who nurses the child is considered like a mother to the child. The child should not marry the nanny’s children because they are like real siblings. Well, if we don’t have the same believe, what about our feeling? I just can’t imagine my son suckling other women’s breasts – the feeling is just like my husband is having affair with another woman!
Other than that, is it safe to let someone else nurses your child? You just don’t know the background of these nannies, whether they have any disease that can be potentially passed on to your child through their milk? However, the company claims that they have due diligence check: they have proper medical check up and provide clean and healthy environment for their nannies.
If that’s the case probably it is fine (disregard the feeling and believe).
Guess I am one of the lucky ones that work in an environment that values work-life-balance, and my boss is completely fine with the way I juggle breastfeeding and work. Not many are like me. I know many can’t express at work every 3 hourly (ideal for the first few months before baby starts eating solid). This actually affects their milk production, hence many have to wean earlier or supplement with cow’s milk.
Some have to take extended maternity leave to nurse and take care of the babies, resulting problem at work – some even have to quit their well-paid jobs.
Well, taking all these into considerations, I would support this company and its service. Whatever it is, if the mother has to seek for this kind of service, I believe the mother must be desperate and really can’t nurse the child herself. Given that nanny’s milk is still much more superior than cow’s, this is the best solution available, I believe? Of course, different people have different opinions, so feel free to add yours.
Read more at: http://www.zhiyin.com.cn/zy/ca5685.htm and http://news.yam.com/cna/china/200507/20050723694189.html