Jason EganCan men breastfeed?
September 12th 2006 13:49
It would sound weird if it was ever true – but check this: It is true. Men – or fathers in particular – are able to breastfeed. The functional anatomical requirements for breastfeeding do exist in both men and women.
There is a myth that larger breasts generate more milk – an anxiety often felt by mothers with minimal breasts. Contrarily, the amount of milk produced is determined by how much sucking the infant executes on the female breast. The same theory applies to the male species.
Hormones are produced every time an infant sucks on a breast, which causes milk production to increase. The body reacts to the needs of the baby. If the infant occupies the breast for a large amount of time, the body thinks the baby is growing, and more milk is produced to match the increased demand. If a man wants to produce milk, he only needs the baby to suck on his breast.
Pregnancy is also not an issue when it comes to milk production. Take the situation of women who adopt babies. They create breast milk by simply letting the baby suck away. A man, therefore, should succeed in this venture as well.
But why would men even contemplate breastfeeding? Cases show that only when the need arises (rather than personal choice), the practice of male breastfeeding is implemented – with the transition usually being successful.
In 2002, there was the reported case of Mr. B. Wijeratne from Sri Lanka. He began breastfeeding his daughter after his wife had died. The baby initially rejected all forms of replacement nutrients, such as powdered milk. In desperation, he eventually offered his own breast and the baby began to ingest effectively.
Another example is the experience of David Livingstone, the traveller. He was moving through Scotland when he came across a male whose breast offered milk. The man’s wife had been put to death and – in desperation – he tried to breastfeed his son. As a result, the breast started producing milk and the son survived.
Traditionally, breastfeeding remains within the domain of the woman. But men are capable of fulfilling this duty as well...
There is a myth that larger breasts generate more milk – an anxiety often felt by mothers with minimal breasts. Contrarily, the amount of milk produced is determined by how much sucking the infant executes on the female breast. The same theory applies to the male species.
Hormones are produced every time an infant sucks on a breast, which causes milk production to increase. The body reacts to the needs of the baby. If the infant occupies the breast for a large amount of time, the body thinks the baby is growing, and more milk is produced to match the increased demand. If a man wants to produce milk, he only needs the baby to suck on his breast.
Pregnancy is also not an issue when it comes to milk production. Take the situation of women who adopt babies. They create breast milk by simply letting the baby suck away. A man, therefore, should succeed in this venture as well.
But why would men even contemplate breastfeeding? Cases show that only when the need arises (rather than personal choice), the practice of male breastfeeding is implemented – with the transition usually being successful.
In 2002, there was the reported case of Mr. B. Wijeratne from Sri Lanka. He began breastfeeding his daughter after his wife had died. The baby initially rejected all forms of replacement nutrients, such as powdered milk. In desperation, he eventually offered his own breast and the baby began to ingest effectively.
Another example is the experience of David Livingstone, the traveller. He was moving through Scotland when he came across a male whose breast offered milk. The man’s wife had been put to death and – in desperation – he tried to breastfeed his son. As a result, the breast started producing milk and the son survived.
Traditionally, breastfeeding remains within the domain of the woman. But men are capable of fulfilling this duty as well...
Mamma!
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Comment by Ahmed
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I always thought it had something to do with pregnancies though..
But it seems by what your saying its by the sheer power of the mind... Well theres nothing wrong with men coughing up the milk when the need arises.
There must be a specific hormone or something that develops through the thought, or desperation as your cases seem to depict, that causes milk to develop. Perhaps with pregnant women there is a physical asect to it as well.
Comment by Cibbuano
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Did I just learn a whole bunch of new facts!?
Women can breastfeed when they're not post-pregnancy?
Men can breastfeed?
Comment by m*STAR
There is a mental aspect towards the idea of male breastfeeding, making it all physically possible!
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Damo
In this story the child mother died in some remote village. For some strange reason the constant crying of the baby caused the man to form breast milk. Great story when you think about it but I can't verify its authenticity.
Two things:
1-Maybe it was properly documented in a medical journal along and there are other cases.
2-It just makes you shudder.
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Comment by Ahmed
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Even now if the mother dies we have powdered milk as a good enough alternative. I can't really imagine what it would be like to, as a father, see your own baby cry becase he/she can't get any milk... I suppose that kind of desperation makes your body cough up...
Comment by Dean
I have also heard that men can get breast cancer.
Comment by Ahmed
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Comment by Threethumbs
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on a side note, i visited romania a couple of years back to do some ministry work and aparently there is a famous lady there who makes cheese from her breast milk. i cant remember her name though..
i wonder what the cheese would taste like..althoguh..i dont know if i would try it even if i had the chance...but would curiosity overpower me?!...its a scary thoguht.
-threethumbs
Comment by Ahmed
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I tink the retaraunt got closed down after the revelation.
I'm kind of stuck in between wether it should be morally acceptable for adults to be consuming breast milk...
Comment by m*STAR
I choose cow!
Comment by Threethumbs
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I think it is probably less ethical to drink breast milk of a differant species! aka a cow. right?..dont get me wrong i enjoy a good bigM
-threethumbs
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funny
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Comment by divil045
as for drinking mothers milk after my wife had are
baby I tryed some of the milk and it was very sweet and if
you read about mothers milk you will find that it is very good
for babys all doctors say breast feed babys have better
health I dont see where it should be wrong to drink milk
from people as babys do it every day and if you ever stop
and relly though about milk from cows goats and what they
eat to make the milk I wonder if you would drink it again lol
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There is a lot to be said for what is natural in life
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