I always thought it was weird that women back in the day used to have their nannies breastfeed their babies. It seemed wrong on so many levels. And, I wasn’t even a mami at the time.
Now, after having breastfed my own child and knowing how much joy it brought to both of us, it seems completely insane to think that I could let another woman breastfeed my child.
But, on the same token…if you’re a parent, then you know that you will do anything necessary to be sure your baby has what he/she needs.
When I heard on the radio this morning that Salma Hayek breastfed another woman’s baby while on a trip to Africa, I had to force myself to stop and think before I reacted. There had to be a reason. Surely, it wasn’t just a stunt.
After reading up on it, I had many reasons to praise Salma Hayek:
- She was in Sierra Leone promoting her work with UNICEF and Pampers for fighting tetanus.
- She saw a hungry, crying baby whose mother was unable to feed him and did what I hope most of us moms would have done if we had milk – she fed him.
- Even if she didn’t intend to, she helped promote breastfeeding in general.
I then read that in Africa there is a belief that women can’t have sex if they’re breastfeeding. You know what that means for the men, right? They discourage the women from nursing, of course!
So, Salma Hayek…I already liked your short latina self. Now, I’m happy to call myself a fan. Definite props to you for doing this.
Watch the video to hear Salma Hayek relay the experience in her own words.
What was your reaction when you heard? Do you think it was a good thing for Salma Hayek to feed the baby?
Woah, I know in many cultures this is accepted and even an honor but I’m surprized to read/see about it with a famous actress.
There was an article in one of the parenting magazines about breastfeeding exchange banks and social clubs. You could meet a women, interview her and then make an arrangement to have her breastfeed or pump for your child.
I support the breastfeeding movement but I’m not sharing…my milk or child 🙂
I agree- do not share your milk but for other reasons:
http://www.beyondprenatals.com/2009/02/cross-nursing-is-not-healthy.html
I induced lactation to feed an adopted child once her birth mother’s frozen breast milk supply ran out. Way to go Salma!!
I think Salma was awesome for doing this. It was a very selfless and caring act and I hope it promotes breastfeeding!
If there’s a baby crying of hunger and my breasts are full of milk, I won’t hesitate flashing one out and latching the baby on. It’s called sharing. No, I won’t go into the statistics and scares of why I shouldn’t do it because they don’t make any sense.
Then, when the baby is sleeping and content, I’ll teach the mom how to grow her own nutritious food and herbs to increase her milk production and how to go tell her husband to jerk off in the jungle while she breastfeeds her bundle of joy. Ah! and if the baby wakes up in between all this, I’ll feed him/her again and again.
I’ve always liked Salma Hayek, but now I like her even more. It’s a Latina thing, and now we’ve put breastfeeding into a whole different level.
Hmmm, don’t know what to think about this one.
I am prety confident Salma didn’t do it for publicity, let’s get that straight out of the way. Being a ‘new’ mother, I’m sure her instincts got the better hand. Not even considering the medical/health consequences. Besides, she doesn’t lack publicity nor money. Her job at Unicef is to make this world a better place.
Still, I’m not sure this was such a smart move. I’ve just welcomed my first child (55 days) and see my kid and my wife enjoying the breatsfeeding, although it takes a lot from her. Breastfeeding is very common in Turkey. But I wonder what kind of impression that gives to the incapable – for the obvious reasons – mother?
Sure, Salma provided a full nutricious meal to that one child, yet couldn’t provide the same service to the many others in the same situation. Moreover, we parents know how children are: they get used to ‘givens’ pretty quickly. This poor child got a full stomach, to find out that the next (few) day(s), nothing will come. Let’s not forget that in those countries breastmilk is as uncommon as running (drinkable) water. Sad, but true!
Again, I don’t know. Maybe this one boost may buy that child a few more extra days/weeks.
Bottom line, the world has pumped sooooo much money already in the richest continent of the world – yes, they really have it all! If only their ‘leaders’ would stop fighting, stop persuing personal benefits and invest the money the richer countries provide. To grow crops, educate people and build! Instead of destroying everything every so many months/years. That would benefit their whole population!
So yes, maybe Salma did the right thing, by buying that one child some extra time, hoping…
Wow everyone! Lots of different opinions here. Thanks so much for sharing them. 🙂
That was so beautiful. Thanks for posting the video!
I had actually never heard about this. I did hear of another instance when an artist visiting in Africa breastfed twins. She had milk, they were hungry. She got a lot of grief for it, but the kids were hungry and she could help.
I agree. I think it’d be more wrong to not help a hungry child when you havernthe means to feed and his/her mother cannot.
Such a beautiful story! I just happened to stumble across this today. While it would seem strange at first, I would love to think that I would have done the same. Such a very beautiful and selfless gesture. 🙂
Definitely! I hope I would have too, despite the strange looks that might have come my way.