A local household services company in Shenzhen is offering wet nursing services, which has sparked heated controversy over the issue of making money by breast-feeding other people's babies, Thursday's Shenzhen Economic Daily reported.

Xiong Baoxia, 24, from Jiangxi Province, became Shenzhen's first nurse after she signed a contract with the Shenzhen Zhongjia Household Services Co. more than 10 days ago.

"There is nothing wrong with getting paid by offering a service. It is just a job, the same as others," said Xiong, who is a junior college graduate and speaks a little English, in an interview with Xinhua.

Xiong said she has a 5-month-old son in her hometown. She came to Shenzhen to seek employment after she stopped nursing her child.

"The service we offer is more than just about breast-feeding," said Zhao Xiaofeng, an executive with the household services company. "Right now, Xiong is undergoing some training related to baby caring and nutrition."

Zhao said Xiong would earn more than 2,000 yuan (US$250) a month as a wet nurse. A baby-sitter or a housekeeper usually gets 800 yuan a month in Shenzhen. Early reports said wet nurses in Beijing receive offers of up to 8,000 yuan a month.

Many mothers are unable or unwilling to nurse babies because they either have no milk, suffer from infectious diseases, or simply hope to maintain a slender figure. A wet nurse is their preferred choice, according to Zhao.

Three other women have also signed contracts with the company, Zhao said.

(Shenzhen Daily June 16, 2006)