New mothers across the U.S. are turning to trusted women to breastfeed their babies due to low milk supply or medical issues, creating informal wet nursing arrangements.

New mothers across the U.S. are increasingly turning to wet nursing—having another woman breastfeed their child—as a practical solution when breastfeeding isn’t possible or sufficient. Despite being rarely discussed, stories from women in Arkansas, New Jersey, and Canada show that trusted family members often step in to help, whether due to low milk supply, infant feeding difficulties, or medical challenges. These informal arrangements, driven by love and necessity, allow mothers to avoid formula and maintain bonding, with experts acknowledging wet nursing as a safe and supportive alternative when exclusive breastfeeding isn’t feasible.