Dad can also breastfeed

2002-11-01 09:23

Bloemfontein - Women beware! Breastfeeding is not only a woman's domain.

Dr Johann Viljoen, an specialist physician at the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic, says that although breastfeeding among men has never been described in any medical literature, it is rare - but definitely possible.

"Men are able to breastfeed or produce breast milk for three reasons. A prolactin-producing adenoma or brain tumour can result in the secretion of the prolactin hormone, which triggers the production of breast milk.

"Men who jog and whose T-shirts constantly rub against the nipples, frequently complain that they produce breast-milk.

Unnaturally high stress levels also can cause the production of breast milk. Certain psychiatric medicines prescribed in the treatment of anxiety, can stimulate the prolactin hormone that produces breast milk.

Viljoen says stress is probably the reason a Sri Lankan man was able to breastfeed his twins.

Nourishing his twins

The man's wife died in childbirth. This and the country's heat, or a prolactin adenoma, most likely caused his stress levels to rocket.

"Apart from his stress level, the babies' suckling also stimulates the man's breasts, which then results in the production of breast milk. He definitely will be able to produce enough milk to nourish his twins."

Viljoen says one of the riddles is the deficiency of the oxitocin hormone in a man's body. Oxitocin is found only in women's bodies and triggers the flow of milk. It appears the male body can trigger a flow of milk without oxytocin.

- Volksblad