Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Mom In Labor During Tornado: 'I Opened My Eyes And I Could See Out…
Christie O. Tate: I Love and Welcome My Daugther's Rage
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.
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Whats Is Donated Breast Milk
The mother's milk depot at the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital collects breast milk donated by women who produce more than their babies need. The milk is screened, cultured, pasteurised, frozen and fed to premature babies as an alternative to formula milk.
-
Is Your Baby Getting Enough Breast Milk?
Learn how to determine if your baby is getting enough breast milk and how to increase your milk supply.
-
How to Test Breast Milk for Alcohol
Julie from Upspring Baby demonstrates how to test breast milk for alcohol, protect your baby from SIDS, and help the little one to learn to walk without ruining dad's back. Plus the mompreneur story behind this cool company. DadLabs Ep. 401 Distributed by Tubemogul.
-
How to Prepare Breast Milk
If you're pumping your breast milk learn how to prepare the milk properly for baby's feeding time.
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 4 of 7)
2-11-2009 @ 6:02PM
Stephanie said...can you please grow a brain of your own and just hit play on the video and listen the baby was 1 week old and sick.
please i urge you ...... hit play!!!!!!!
2-11-2009 @ 4:07PM
celia said...I applaud Salma's spontaneous act of generosity when faced with a tragedy such as infant starvation. Perhaps those who are having such a hard time 'swallowing' her behavior should consider what sorts of contributions they could make, instead of condemning her selflessness.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 3:58PM
Natalie said...I think what Salma did was the most giving anyone can give. She gave the little boy a chance to not go hungry, a chance to become healthier, and most importantly a chance to live. Sure people have heard that breastfeeding creates a bond between mother and child which is an important part in a child's growth and proven to make them healthier in the long run. You have to think that in countries in Africa some children don't get that bond from their own mothers or other people so Salma is giving that bond to that little baby boy. Everyone should be proud for what she did and hope it encourages other mothers to do the same.
WAY TO GO SALMA!!!!!!
And by the way you can't get AIDS that way unless if it's traveled through blood.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 9:03PM
Barbara Kane said...I think in some situations it can be a beautiful generous gift. My concern is , with the wacky behavior of many Hollywood elite that it might become just another thing used for shock value.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 9:41PM
Mary Kay said...My "moron" comment was not directed at you, Barbara, but at the writer...just wanted to clarify. :)
2-11-2009 @ 4:06PM
Wade said...What a lucky baby. I know a lot of guys that would love to trade places with that child. I wonder if I cry really loud?
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:10PM
elisem76 said...What a beautiful story, and what an amazing way for Ms. Hayek to make a point to the women around her. As anyone who has ever breastfed a baby knows, nothing can match the look of contentment in a child's eyes when you are nursing them. You are not only meeting their most basic need for nutrition, but providing them with physical closeness and emotional comfort. I applaud Ms. Hayek for her actions. Ignorance is what causes people to be squeamish over her actions. I was listening to the radio here in Albuquerque the other day, and the disc jockeys were mocking her until someone called in o explain the concept of a "wetnurse." For all of our advancements as a society n America, our cultural squeamishness and knee-jerk reactionism to seeing someone breastfeed is shocking.
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 12:49AM
ps4200 said...Ain't that the truth?!! When a culture forgets what breasts are for they are in trouble.
Many men do feel that breasts are only there for their benefit. I've spoken with lots of mothers who've had to deal with the new daddy's insecurity. But a woman should be able to feel comfortable doing what her body is made to do. Nurturing a child is the greatest thing!
2-11-2009 @ 4:13PM
Monica said...I had my first child in 1970 which was the year fewer U.S. women breastfed than at any time before. It never occurred to me NOT to breastfeed. A close friend also had a child around that time and we nursed each other's babies when babysitting, one of us was ill and in other circumstances. Ultimately we had a group of women who breastfed each other's babies. When my nephew was born later the same year I nursed him for the first month while my sister recovered from a very difficult birth. She fed him once a day as she got her strength back but I was the primary nurse maid. Never, ever gave any of this a second thought. You'd be amazed at what women will do for each other.
Reply
2-13-2009 @ 12:46AM
Paula said...Does anyone remember the Bible story of Moses being left in the river by his mother to protect him from being killed? The Pharoah's daughter found him and wanted to keep him for her own. She sent for someone to nurse him for her. He ended up being nursed by his own mother but she didn't know that. Yes, wet-nursing was very common, sometimes even for the convienence of it!
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:14PM
Kiara said...In my country a group of 14 people survived 8 days or so because a woman breastfed them all.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:15PM
smileyq456 said...What she did was a great thing. I would have done it too..
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:19PM
Bill said...One big freak of a woman!
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:22PM
MomofTwoBoys said...Breastfeeding is best for a child.Period. I can't imagine thinking breastfeeding is "icky" or "disgusting" or "should be done in private" like it's a filthy perverted thing to do! What the h*ll is wrong with you narrow minded people that say these things! So feeding a human baby a concoction of corn syrup,assorted unpronouncable chemicals in antibiotic laced milk meant for a baby cow is much better? Formula babies have a lot more health problems over their lifetime than breastfed babies. This is not my opinion this is medical fact. Formula companies have overrun the market with ads trying to convince every new mom that this is what they should be feeding their baby. It's sad. I think these things shouldn't be allowed, just like cigarette commercials.
I breastfed two big healthy boys and I consider it part of my job, as a mother.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:23PM
SandyBetty said...This is very "Grapes of Wrathish". If you all remember, the old, starving man was breast fed by a young mother rather than let him die. However, what Hayek did was dangerous, both to her and her own baby. There are many diseases that could have been transferred to her through her nipple and then passed on to her own child. Celebrities would be better off just putting their personal money into hospitals and schools. The biggest problems these citizens have is that dictators don't allow food through to them.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:22PM
Marina said...I think it was wrong. Shirley she went to that conutry with provisions. Give a bottle of milk. But Hey!Good publicity stunt Selma.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:22PM
old enough to remember said...There is nothing wrong with what Selma Hayak did for the baby. As many other posters stated, this has been done for eons. There are even women who express milk and donate it to milk banks (I'm not sure if this is what they are called) for babies whose mothers cannot nurse them because of illness, etc. One of my mother's friends told me she wanted to nurse her daughter back in the mid-1950's, when formula became the "way to feed babies". Her doctor discouraged her from doing it, saying formula was better. She still regrets listening to the doctor to this day. If, as the article states, they don't believe that breast milk is healthy in Sierra Leone, then it is because the mothers are malnourished.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:24PM
mkmiller0303 said...I think what she did is amazing. If I had been put in the same situation she was I would have done the same thing. What mother can look at a starving child and deny them milk. Salma should be applauded! I'm a nurse and I see no problem with it.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:29PM
dunnrh46 said...what did her husband say about this?
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 4:51PM
lady Jay said...Every hear of a thing called AIDS. No way would I have put that kid to my breast...but pumping is another thing...and no way would I let a stranger feed my kid, anything.
Reply