Why is it ‘disgusting’ that I breastfed my sister-in-law’s babies – and she fed mine?

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 2, 2026

A woman and her sister-in-law engaged in mutual breastfeeding for nearly two years, supporting each other’s children and easing childcare demands. Their experience highlights how this rarely discussed practice can strengthen family bonds and offer practical benefits when based on trust and close relationships.

Women have long shared the practice of breastfeeding each other’s children, though in modern Western societies it remains uncommon and often stigmatized. One woman recounts her experience of mutual breastfeeding with her sister-in-law, highlighting the practical and emotional benefits of this tradition.

The relationship began when she was 15 and her brother’s then-girlfriend, Becky, was 20. Over time, the women developed a close bond that extended into their respective families. By the time the narrator had her first child, Freddy, in 2018, Becky was already a mother of five and still breastfeeding her youngest, Foy.

Shortly after Freddy’s birth, Becky offered to breastfeed him when he was hungry during an outing. The narrator says the arrangement felt natural and uncontroversial, with her partner’s full support. “Becky was still breastfeeding Foy, so why not?” she explained. The following weeks saw reciprocal feeding: the narrator breastfed Foy when she forgot her pump at Becky’s house. Both women noted the convenience this shared breastfeeding arrangement brought, reducing the need for bottles and equipment and allowing for greater flexibility in childcare.

The bond between the two grew stronger when the narrator separated from Freddy’s father. She found reassurance in knowing that Becky could feed Freddy if needed. Their mutual breastfeeding continued for nearly two years, with Becky nursing Freddy multiple times a week and the narrator feeding Foy roughly once a week. The families treated the practice matter-of-factly, though the women did not make it a public display among friends.

Beyond infancy, Becky provided emotional support during the narrator’s five years of fertility challenges and miscarriages—experiences that later led her to start a fertility coaching business. After moving to Majorca with her growing family, Becky acted as the narrator’s birth partner when she delivered her daughter Violet in February 2025, after using a sperm donor.

Breastfeeding extended across borders when, at Becky’s encouragement, the narrator fed Becky’s youngest daughter, Pearl, shortly after her birth. Though less frequent than before, this continued shared feeding underscored their close relationship. Violet, the narrator’s daughter, reportedly showed some jealousy during these moments but is expected to develop a bond with her cousin over time.

The narrator emphasized that while some may view breastfeeding another woman’s child as taboo, it is a natural instinct with historical precedents and practical advantages. She advised that women interested in the practice should prioritize knowing and trusting each other to minimize health risks. The experience, she said, has deepened family ties and affirmed a shared commitment to nurturing children beyond traditional boundaries.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.