Philly-Area Mom Gets National Attention For Tandem Breastfeeding Photo

A Montgomery County mother’s photo of her and a friend’s child eating is getting national attention.

That’s because there’s no fork or spoon in the photo Jessica Anne Colletti posted to Facebook.

Colletti, a Bala Cynwyd resident, posted the tandem breastfeeding picture Saturday onMama Bean Unconditional Attachment, a pro-breastfeeding blog. The picture was uploaded in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week.

“Mama Jessica’s” post reads:

“My son on the right is 16 months and my friend’s son is 18 months. I watch her son while she works and have been feeding them both for a year! So much love between these milk siblings, it’s a special bond between us all.”

She hashtagged the post #milksiblings.

The post soon went viral after she shared the photo. More than 600 people have commented on the original Facebook post, which triggered numerous media reports and an interview with People magazine.

People have not been shy to weigh in on the 27-year-old’s decision to breastfeed her friend’s toddler. Some are applauding her, while many others find it inappropriate.

Colletti, in the interview with People, said “people are misinformed” and there is an attempt by society to “sexualize” breastfeeding.

“They think it’s gross bodily fluid that shouldn’t be shared or transferred in any way. And I can understand, if people are receiving donated breast milk, they want to have it tested, but if you know the mother directly and she’s healthy, and you know everything about her, it’s a perfectly healthy relationship to have,” she told People.

In a subsequent blog on The Huffington Post, Mama Bean of MamaBeanParenting.com, where the photo first appeared, defended Colletti.

“If we filter past the shock-fueled cries of “gross!”... there is a lot of love for this picture. Because the majority (of my audience at least) see this practice of wet-nursing for exactly what it is: a wonderful alternative to direct breastfeeding,” Mama Bean wrote.

Local La Leche representatives said the decision to share breast milk is personal. “Every family makes the best decision that they can for their baby’s health,” a La Leche League of Philadelphia spokeswoman said, referring all questions to the La Leche Board of Directors guidelines for human milk sharing.

“When their own mother’s milk is unavailable, babies may need human milk donated by other mothers,” La Leche said. The guidelines also say “The mother should be encouraged to make an informed decision that is best for her and her baby and meets cultural expectations.”