Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Bonnie Fuller: Zach Sobiech: You Were a Huge Inspiration in Your…
When A Tornado Strikes, Should Schools Evacuate?
Salma Hayek Shares Her Breast Milk
Filed under: Celeb Parents
We all know there are lots of very good reasons to breast feed: Nutrition, bonding and economics, just to name a few. But for some moms, the act of breastfeeding can become a little bit of an addiction, and they are loathe to give it up. Actress Salma Hayek, whose daughter Valentina Paloma turned one last September, admitted as much in an interview last year. "It's like, I don't care if I cry, I don't care if I'm fat, I'm just gonna do it for one more week, one more month," she explains. "Then, when I see how much good it is doing her, I can't stop."
It seems that not long before that interview, Salma had already discovered another good reason to keep her breast milk flowing: It comes in handy when you want to feed other people's babies.
Which is exactly what Hayek, a spokesperson for UNICEF, did during her visit to Sierra Leone in September 2008. It is widely believed in this West African country that breast feeding does not provide enough food for a baby, and that colostrum, or first milk, is actually poisonous. In an effort to encourage women there to breastfeed, the actress/humanitarian offered a sick baby boy the greatest gift of all -- milk from her own breast.
After she's fed the baby, Hayek wonders aloud if she's been disloyal to her own baby by sharing her milk. She decides that she has done something good for both babies. "My baby would be very proud to be able to share her milk," she says.
It seems that Hayek's unselfish giving of her breast milk is a bit of a family tradition. She tells the story of her own great-grandmother breast feeding a stranger's hungry child on a street in Mexico. It's a beautiful story made more so by Hayek's own gift to a hungry little baby.
If you ever found yourself in a position to do so, would you breastfeed another woman's child? Would you allow your child to feed at another woman's breast?
It seems that not long before that interview, Salma had already discovered another good reason to keep her breast milk flowing: It comes in handy when you want to feed other people's babies.
Which is exactly what Hayek, a spokesperson for UNICEF, did during her visit to Sierra Leone in September 2008. It is widely believed in this West African country that breast feeding does not provide enough food for a baby, and that colostrum, or first milk, is actually poisonous. In an effort to encourage women there to breastfeed, the actress/humanitarian offered a sick baby boy the greatest gift of all -- milk from her own breast.
After she's fed the baby, Hayek wonders aloud if she's been disloyal to her own baby by sharing her milk. She decides that she has done something good for both babies. "My baby would be very proud to be able to share her milk," she says.
It seems that Hayek's unselfish giving of her breast milk is a bit of a family tradition. She tells the story of her own great-grandmother breast feeding a stranger's hungry child on a street in Mexico. It's a beautiful story made more so by Hayek's own gift to a hungry little baby.
If you ever found yourself in a position to do so, would you breastfeed another woman's child? Would you allow your child to feed at another woman's breast?
Celebrity Parent Quotes
"The key to beauty is always to be looking at someone who loves you. Henry, who can't say all the words...sometimes he'll see me and go, "Ma-ma!" and throw himself on me. Or Finn says he likes my earrings. Or Hazel will say, "You look pretty, Mama," first thing in the morning...They're seeing the things that [my husband] does.
The coolest thing you can do for your children is to love each other in their presence." -
Julia Roberts
WireImage
"I'm like an alcoholic. It's like, I don't care if I cry, I don't care if I'm fat, I'm just gonna do it for one more week, one more month, and then, when I see how much good it is doing her, I can't stop. It's a very powerful thing you know."
Salma Hayek
Getty Images
"My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief," she said, "making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls ... that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."
Michelle Obama
"I think I'm a pretty cool dad."
Barack Obama
"There is no such thing as 'fun for the whole family.'"
Jerry Seinfeld
"Sometimes I end up having to wipe my son's nose on my shirt, so it can't be silk and cost $800."
Keri Russel
"Apparently, I get facials and manicures all the time. I read this and think, 'Oh, I wish I did that!' I don't think I've had a facial since I was 19. When I shave my legs, I use my child's shampoo and a razor -- if I can find one. If I did everything they said I did, I would never see [my daughter] Lily."
Kate Beckinsale
"I think our kids will look back on all that as being really funny when they get older, because they think of us as being really dorky -- in fact, the dorkiest people on the planet! We are very much just parents together, although we have moments of being sexy and fun, and I do find him very sexy, obviously. I believe we are together for all the other reasons."
Angelina Jolie, on being "sex symbol" parents
"Giving birth is like taking your lower lip and forcing it over your head."
Carol Burnett
"We found a great rhythm. Contractions started kicking in. I sat there with her, right between her legs. We got tribal on it, we danced to it! I was DJ-ing this Brazilian music."
Matthew McConaughey, on the birth of his son Levi.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
The Issue of Public Breast Feeding
Daddy Brad and Daddy Clay tackle the baby nursing issue. How do you feel about women breast feeding in public? Is it okay for moms to breast feed their baby in front of others? What percentage of people are comfortable with mothers breastfeeding in public?
-
Octomom Breast Feeds Fake Baby At Drag Show
Octomom Nadya Suleman embarrassed herself on stage at a Drag Queen show in New York last night just hours after charges of child neglect were dropped.
The 37-year-old mother of eight pulled out her breasts, and pretended to feed two dolls on stage and poured vodka into one of their mouths.
-
Learn about First Aid, Fibre and Baby Feeding
Explore the health and wellbeing issues concerning first aid, fibre and baby formula versus breast feeding.
-
Baby Given Cannabis Through Breastmilk
Cannabis and breast milk don't sound right together. And that combination posed a problem for a 29-year-old mother from New Zealand.
The woman pleaded guilty to giving marijuana to her 3-month-old baby through breast feeding. She was charged with administering a Class C drug to a minor after police raided her home.
Officials claim that the case is the first of its kind in the country.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 2 of 7)
2-11-2009 @ 2:41PM
Lisa said...It was actually very common and accepted in society, at one time, for a woman to breastfeed (or nurse) another person's child. That is where the term "wet nurse" came from. In some cultures, this is still very much in practice.
As for me, I'd be a little weirded out nursing someone else's child. However, I'm definitely not going to judge someone else for doing it- as long as it doesn't get like "The Hand That Rocked the Cradle."
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 6:41PM
buffysummmers said...during the Renaissance monarchs we not allowed to breast feed their children and were looked at as week if they even desired to do so.
2-11-2009 @ 2:47PM
Damomma said...Oh come on people! Has no one out there ever heard of the term wet nurse? Way back when, woman who, for one reason or the other, could ot feed their child, would find a woman who ws feeding her own, & hire her to feed the child. This has been going on forever. It's what you did before there was formula!!
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 2:50PM
Joy Acuna said...What a beautiful and totally UNSELFISH thing to do!!! Yes, in olden days and insome countries still, there are "wet nurses" that will nurse another woman's child if she cannot for some reason or another do it herself. I saw one of my ex sisters in law offer to feed my grandson once while we visiting because my daughter-in-law was having great difficulty nursing. They all thought the baby was much too skinny and wanted to help, but being my DIL is American born, she was not too keen on the idea. So they just gave her a bottle of formula. Needless to say, my grandson is almost 2 now, and he eats everything!! But I appreciated and still appreciate healthy women offering to help "wet nurse" someone elses child. I would even do it myself, if needed. My youngest will be 5 in October, and I had him when I was nearly 42. I nursed him just fine and he is a butterball. I might mention, that he was probaly close to 2 when he completely got off the breast. NOT A THING WRONG with that!!! But when they start talking and asking for it or whatever, that is where I would have to really cut it off. But Salma, you go girl!!!!
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 2:50PM
mcat said...Hi,
What she did is disgusting! She should keep her breasts to her self and her own baby. Beast feeding should be done in private!
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 3:40PM
bobbi said...WHY should it be done in private? That is exactly the way god intended for us to feed our children and I have never heard that it was dirty or disgusting! You are the one with the sick mind!
I would gladly feed another womans child if that child was hungry. And I would be extremely grateful if someone else feed my child. It is about nurishment and nothing else! Grow up!!
2-11-2009 @ 3:58PM
Carrie said...Why should this be disgusting or something done in private? If you had read the article, you would know that she did it not only to help the baby but to encourage other mothers to feed their babies. I think your comments are ignorant and "should be kept in private."
2-11-2009 @ 6:29PM
joy said...YA!!! our society of so called cultured people, think nothing of taking another womens husband to bed, but GOD forbid we feed another womens baby. something not rite about this picture.
2-11-2009 @ 4:53PM
sharon said...It is not disgusting. Breastfeeding is a natural and wonderful way to nourish you children. I cannot believe people think a breast should be hidden when used to feed a baby.
I would gladly feed a hungry baby, and would not mind if another mom fed my child. A friend and I both had babies around the same time, and we would babysit for each other. It was understood that if needed we would nurse the others baby.
Breast milk is a complete source of nutrition, and it is free, and ready any time night or day. No bottles, no warming formula, or running out of formula in the middle of the night.
2-11-2009 @ 5:03PM
rob will said...You're SO highly repressed, paranoid, and uptight. Blessings, hope you evolve beyond your fears.
2-11-2009 @ 6:34PM
Kori said...BEAST FEEDING??? You might try spell check before pushing the send button. Also, it can't be more obvious you have NO children of your own, OR never BREASTfed any of them to comment as you did. Grow up!
2-11-2009 @ 6:57PM
Mel said...mcat;
Breastfeeding is a natural way of life! How do you think our ancestors survived as babies to get us all here you numb nut. If you don't like to see people breast feeding then don't stare at them. It is more natural than putting a bottle, a piece of plastic and rubber in your childs mouth with formula made in a factory. I chose to breast feed my children and my husband didn't have a problem with that, when we were in public and the baby needed to eat he helped to keep people like you who think, it's a breast and oh my goodness it must have something to do with sex, away and not stare. People that have your attitude really don't have a clue.
2-11-2009 @ 2:53PM
englishfamilyus4 said...What was supposed to be an event to raise awareness for tetanus became a breastfeeding awareness thing here in the US..and for that I applaud this clip..It certainly has people talking...A couple of weeks ago on our local Craigslist, someone was offering to breastfeed other people's babies and they flagged that lady's ad so fast it wasn't funny...and posted negative comments the whole day! The majority of bottlefeeders in this country really should be a major health concern...and I cannot believe how many, MANY people are so clueless on breastfeeding and think that it is more normal to feed a child some stinky, scientifically thrown-together cow's formula in a can!! SCARY!!
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 3:00PM
E S H said...AIDS?
Anyone hear of AIDS?
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 3:40PM
RLynn said...Aids FROM breastfeeding a child?? LOL LOL LOL Wow.
2-11-2009 @ 5:20PM
Dale said...Yeah, why, are you looking for some?
2-11-2009 @ 5:07PM
rob will said...You're sadly misinformed. Educate yourself. You can't get AIDS from suckling a baby.
2-11-2009 @ 3:02PM
Texican said..."Breast feeding should be done in private"--------------SHUT UP YOU NARROW/NASTY MINDED MORON
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 3:09PM
Jack Fisher said...How about a burger?
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 3:13PM
Patty said...YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply