It is one of the key bonding experiences for a mother and child: breastfeeding. So lesbian partners Heidi and Maryellen Olson wanted to share that with their first-born Sequoia. They both nurse their one-month-old daughter. Phenomenon: Maryellen Olson, 25, nurses her daughter Sequoia despite not giving birth Both breastfeeding: Her wife Heidi, 26, naturally lactates meaning they can both nurse their first-born Dubbed 'co-nursing', the little-known practice requires Maryellen, who didn't give birth, to induce lactation and take a natural drug to boost breastmilk. According to the new parents, it has changed everything. 'It is so worth it for the closeness I feel with Sequoia, and also for the sanity-saving it provides both of us,' graduate student Maryellen, 25, told MailOnline from the family's home in Santa Cruz, California.
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Heidi and Maryellen Olson conceived first daughter using donor sperm
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Heidi gave birth to Sequoia on Nov 7, Maryellen wanted to breastfeed too
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Maryellen followed a program of birth control pills and a milk-enhancing drug for three months before the birth at home in Santa Cruz, California
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Now, both mothers nurse their daughter, claim it enhances their closeness
'Our friends are fascinated by the fact that my wife and I both breastfeed our daughter,' @placeholder, a 26-year-old nurse, said.