How to Breast-Feed a Sick Child Who Doesn't Belong to You

Breast-feeding a child has a number of health benefits, including the antibodies that help to prevent illnesses and aid in healing them. Some mothers even breast-feed the children of other women, either on a regular basis, which is called wet nursing, or on a temporary basis during periods of need, which is called cross nursing. The antibodies in breast milk help to fight off illnesses and can be beneficial to a sick child, according to the La Leche League, an organization that promotes breast-feeding.

Instructions

1

Ensure that the mother of the child is looking for someone to nurse her sick child. Many women are open to the idea, whether they are unavailable at the time or nursing another child.

2

Nurse the sick child as your would your own, ensuring a proper latch on the breast and making sure the child is swallowing enough milk.

3

Pump breast milk and feed through a bottle or cup if the child isn't normally breast-fed. This ensures the child is getting the milk's health benefits even if they don't know how to properly latch to the breast.