The kit comes complete with a pump and compression vest that goes over the chest – the ‘male equivalent of a maternity bra’
It’s always tricky when it comes to dads and breastfeeding with many dads feeling left out of the whole process. Of course, there are plenty of ways that dads can be involved
This new phenomenon is being dubbed as ‘Chest Feeding.’
It would work by men taking hormones whilst their partner is pregnant to ‘grow milk ducts.’ However, Marie-Claire, the designer of the chest feeding kit, says that its side effects could see men growing “moobs”. Apparently this could be up to a B cup size. The side effects of taking female hormones is a condition known as gynecomastia.
This is still in the concept phase but doctors have warned that it is unknown as to whether men can actually grow milk-ducts or what effects the hormone will have on their body.
Marie-Claire hopes the kit will help fathers to feel more included when it comes to feeding their baby. She believes it could be available in 5 years time.
What’s in the kit?
Within the kit is the hormone progestin, required for the man to take once-a-day from the moment he knows his partner is expecting. Progestin is a form of the female sex hormone progesterone which helps stimulate the production of milk glands.
During the last 6 weeks of the pregnancy the man would then be required to take another hormone; domperidone, often prescribed to mums who struggle to breastfeed. This hormone stimulates another hormone; prolactin, which tells the body to produce milk.
You will also receive a pump and a compression vest (the male equivalent of a maternity bra).
In an interview, Marie-Claire told The Sun Online: “I was trying to create an empathy tool, something that could really help when a mum was struggling to breastfeed and could help a dad be of practical use.
“Those two drugs put together create three of the four hormones necessary for a man to product milk.
“The last one is oxytocin which is what triggers the ‘let down reflex’ and
that’s naturally produce when a man or a woman holds their child.”
The
Usually, it’s triggered when the baby suckles the nipple, or even just hearing your baby cry.
“I developed the pump instead of it just being hormones and holding your baby to your chest because it works in the same way it would when a woman is struggling to lactate,” Marie-Claire said.
“Sometimes using a pump gets the ‘let down reflex’ going.
“The pump is the same thing, it’s just a little less intimidating.”
This isn’t a quick thing, though. She says that it will take the dad-to-be the full 9 months for the breast tissue to change and become ready.
The ‘moob’ side effect will also fade away once the dad has stopped taking the hormone.
Although the pump and the drugs are already available on the NHS, it’s unknown how much milk a man could produce. Or perhaps more importantly, if the milk produced would be as nutritious as mums.
All we need are some guinea pigs for testing it out on? I already have the moobs so that side effect doesn’t worry me at all! Anyone else?
How does a man sign up to be the Guinea pig. I am interested in being the test subject just send me everything needed and i will be glad to be the first test subject.
Id Love to become a test subject
I would love to try and participate!
What about the affect of the hormones on the actual baby?
Women have to be very careful what they eat & what medications they have when they breast feed. Yet you’re happy to pump men full of artificial hormones that will inevitably pass through to the baby.
You’ve lost your minds.
I would also like to be a test subject. As a Christian the Bible in the Old Testament has two passages that speak of men being able to breastfeed. If it was possible to do back then then I believe that it is that it is possible to do now. I also feel that if this can really happen, and that a lache league could be started to men. I would be more than happy to do whatever I can to help make it happen.
I will volunteer
I am also willing to try it. Send me the needed equiptment
When I was bf I was criticised for drinking coffee but here men are being encouraged to take hormones so they can ‘lactate’. What effect are synthetic hormones going to have on a baby? This is awful.
Lisa I can’t lie, I’m bit offended you’re on dadsnet right now, this is supposed to be a safe haven for Dads (my way of escaping the wife ya know I can’t remember why I married her)
HELLO WRONGUNS
I would definitely be the Guinea pig for this..send me the kit and I’ll commit
As a lactation consultant, I would love to know if this worked for anyone.
I am willing to be a test subject. Sign me up I give you my full permission
I naturally lactate, doctor reckons it’s a prolactinoma though nothing too bad is happening so I’m letting it go, hormones are back to normal again. I’ve never had any drugs. I don’t have moobs either though they are a little bit bigger since lactating. My theory, how much room do salivary glands need to produce? Not much. How much do I lactate? Not much, stimulation sure does bring on more though and more size though the size is mostly acrosss the whole chest starting from around the shoulders and not focussed at the nips so it’s not very visible like moobs as the increase in volume is over a large area, my shirts get stretched. As a man, having the needles let down feeling at random times, and the peaceful bonding feeling, and hormones urging me want to grab a baby and feed it, that is weird.
I volunteer to be a tester (if possible). Just tell me what info ya need and ill happily give it to you.
These items will make the job of breastfeeding your baby much easier. Also included is a helpful book for new moms that contains information such as: the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, feeding your baby and the different stages of lactation. This book will help your new sibling to develop a positive outlook toward breastfeeding. https://rankdraft.com/
Yes men can lactate. I did when I took hormones and domperidone. I grew breast tissue. The glans needed for milk production do not go away once you stop the hormones so beware if you don’t want permanent moobs.
Sure sign me up, I would like to help improve the science on male breast/Chest feeding. With todays life style where the majority of parents both need to work this could really help and bring the family closer together.
Sign me up
Sign me up, I will be a volunteer.
I would love to be in the trial
I would love to be in the trial. I have worked hard growing my boobs using various creams as well as daily pumping my breasts. I am up to between a C and D Cup and I am proud of them. I love the extra sensitivity in them now. All I would like now is to be able to actually produce milk.