cbc-network.org
2026-10-10
It is well established that breastfeeding is beneficial to both infants and mothers and that breastmilk (from a woman) is the gold standard form of nutrition for babies. For various reasons, women choose to feed their babies a myriad of ways, breastfeeding at the breast, breast milk from a bottle, a mix of breastmilk and formula, or exclusively formula. As a perinatal nurse, it makes no difference to me so long as a woman is educated on the risks and benefits and supported in her decision. I respect a mother's choice to either breastfeed or formula feed her infant. For the longest time my professional motto on the topic was, "fed is best." However, with the recent news of men attempting to breastfeed and companies like Marie-Claire Springham producing a "male lactation aid," I realize my motto is severely lacking.
Still in the "concept phase" Marie-Claire's product, called "Will and Way" was designed so that "left out and forgotten" fathers could partake in breastfeeding responsibilities. All they need to do is sign up for an NHS prenatal course to receive their kit. Kit contents include: chest pump, compression vest, informative leaflet, and all of the necessary hormones (domperidone and progesterone). Marketed as an "empathy tool" to allow "mums to relinquish some of the pressures and duties of parenting," we see how, instead of solving the problem of postpartum stress and mental health struggles occurring in women, leaders in healthcare have created another science experiment involving the most vulnerable among us. Rather than creating a robust postpartum healthcare system supporting mothers, we have fortified their struggles stating "you're right, you can't do it, so let's create a product so men can." Why can't we celebrate the wonderfully unique differences and capabilities of mothers and fathers and teach them to excel using their unique strengths? I digress.