Can I breastfeed my husband while pregnant? (Yes or No)
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In this blog post, we will answer the question ‘Is it ok to breastfeed my husband while pregnant?’. We will also look at the reasons why your husband would want to breastfeed or you may want your husband to breastfeed. We will also try to look at circumstances where you should avoid breastfeeding your husband.
Is it ok to breastfeed my husband while pregnant?
Yes, you can breastfeed your husband while pregnant. It is a good thing. If you are okay with it, then you can go ahead with it. Not only will it help stimulate your milk glands but it will also help your nipples get ready. If both of you like it, then there is no reason you should stop.
You do not have to worry about milking early. There are chances that you might leak a little liquid during pregnancy, but that is nothing to worry about. Lots of women leak colostrum or clear fluid from their nipples when they’re pregnant. It’s not the same as the milk they produce when breastfeeding, but it is the breasts’ way of priming the pump. Hence, as long as you are enjoying it, your husband can, too.
Is breastfeeding your husband looked down upon?
Generally speaking, breastfeeding your husband, boyfriend, or partner is completely okay. It’s not perverted or wrong if you want your spouse to breastfeed, or if your partner asks to taste your breast milk and try breastfeeding.
Men are usually curious about breastfeeding, and they’re still sexually interested in the breasts even when they’re producing breast milk. In addition, many women are more sensitive to breast stimulation during this time and enjoy the sensation of breastfeeding their partners.
Sharing this intimate experience with your husband, boyfriend, or partner can be satisfying for both of you, and it can even bring you closer together as a couple. So, except for a few circumstances when you shouldn’t do it, it’s completely fine to breastfeed your husband.
Concerns about breastfeeding your partner
It is normal to have concerns about breastfeeding your partner. You can be worried about what others think or what are the medical complications of it. Some concerns about breastfeeding your husband can be:
- It would reduce the available milk supply for the baby.
- The drain on the mother’s resources would be immense. Mother’s caloric intake would have to keep up with both baby and a grown man.
- In a somewhat educated opinion, mothers have concerns regarding disease transmission to the infant. Anything the father has such as a cold virus could potentially be transmitted to the baby.
Reasons your husband would want to breastfeed
It is quite normal that some men would be interested in the taste of the breastmilk, or would want to engage in something new to turn on your sex life, while others would be weirded out by the idea of breastfeeding.
Here are a few reasons why your husband would want to breastfeed:
- Health benefits: There are many health benefits associated with breast milk. Breast milk is even used as a medical treatment for certain conditions. Historically, breast milk was used for the sick and the elderly. Breastfeeding could potentially boost your husband’s immune system as well as provide some nutritional value.
- Fulfilling a fantasy: Your partner may be turned on by your lactating breasts, or they may have a sexual fantasy that involves breastfeeding. Erotic lactation and adult breastfeeding websites and groups exist just for this purpose. So, as long as you feel comfortable, this is a fantasy that you can safely fulfill for your partner.
- To feel more included: Now that you’re breastfeeding, your partner may feel as though your breasts are off-limits, or reserved for the relationship you share with your baby. By giving your partner access to your breasts and breastfeeding, they can feel included in the experience.
- To taste breast milk: Some partners just want to know how breast milk tastes. And, since breast milk is typically creamy and sweet, they may even like the flavor.
Reasons you may want your husband to breastfeed.
It is not only the husband who might be interested in breastfeeding. Women too are curious about how it would feel to breastfeed their partner or they just want to continue to include their breasts in their intimate relationship.
Here are a few reasons why some women consider it:
- Balance out uneven breasts: If your baby has a breast preference or one of your breasts does not make as much milk as the other one, your partner can help to even out your breasts by breastfeeding on the smaller or neglected side.
- Boost breast milk supply: The additional stimulation and removal of milk at your breast can naturally trigger your body to make more breast milk. Instead of worrying about reducing the availability of milk supply for the baby, because it is quite the opposite.
- Drain the breast: Your partner will have a stronger suck than your baby, so they may be able to empty all the areas of your breast. Better draining of the breasts can help remove or prevent plugged milk ducts and nipple blebs. It could also relieve mild breast engorgement.
- For greater support: Your partner may offer you more help and support if they feel included in the breastfeeding process, or if they feel as though your decision and desire to breastfeed has benefits for them, as well.
- Heighten arousal: Some women are sensitive to breast or nipple stimulation and may experience sexual feelings while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding your partner could bring about an unexpected and enjoyable aspect of your sexual relationship.
- Increase intimacy: Breastfeeding your husband or partner may bring you closer together on an intimate level. Sharing this part of your body and your life with your husband could be a very special and satisfying experience.
Example about breastfeeding your husband
One man, Joel, revealed to Metro why he decided to feed his wife during both her pregnancies. He said: “My wife was pumping in bed to release pressure and the other breast started to leak that is when she suggested that I try it and it led to me drinking both breasts dry while we had sex. It was incredibly erotic, sexy, and set off a thing for it in me.”
And he admitted when she got pregnant for the second time he was “looking forward” to doing it again.
This shows us that breastfeeding your partner during pregnancy is not a bad thing.
When Not to Breastfeed Your Partner
In general, breastfeeding your husband, boyfriend, or partner doesn’t pose a problem. Although there are certain circumstances that you need to consider before breastfeeding your husband. They are as follows:
- You Feel Uncomfortable: You should never feel like you are being forced to do something that you do not want to do. Talk to your partner about your feelings and seek help from a healthcare professional if necessary.
- You Have Pain: If you have sore nipples, the strength of an adult’s suck can be even more painful than that of a baby. If your nipples are very sensitive, you have a painful let-down reflex, or your partner bites down on your nipples, you could develop a breast infection,3 or it could interfere with your ability and desire to continue breastfeeding your baby.
- Your Breasts Are Engorged: If your breasts are engorged, breastfeeding your partner may feel like a relief. However, the extra breast stimulation can cause your body to produce even more breast milk and add to your already overabundant milk supply.
- You Are HIV Positive or You Have an Infectious Disease: HIV and other infectious diseases can enter your breast milk and pass on to your partner. Some sexually transmitted diseases can also spread through contact at the breast, especially if you have active sores on your breasts, nipples. Your partner should be aware of any risks involved.
- Your Partner Has an Infectious Disease, Infection, or Virus: If your partner has a health issue, especially one that’s transmitted through the mouth, they can give it to you and your baby through contact at the breast. Do not breastfeed your partner if they have a health condition that can infect you or your child.
- You or Your Baby Have Thrush: A yeast infection can pass quickly to your partner and back to you. If you, your child, or your partner develop any of the signs of thrush, call your doctor. You should all receive treatment as soon as possible.
- You Are Pregnant and High Risk: If you’re pregnant with multiples, you’ve had a previous miscarriage, or you have a history of preterm labor, avoid any stimulation at the breast. Breast and nipple stimulation can lead to uterine contractions and early labor if your pregnancy is considered high risk.
Although it may seem like breastfeeding your husband is something that is not acceptable, it is not true. Until and unless both of you are completely okay with it, you can forget what people will think about it and enjoy your time together. However, there are certain circumstances that have been mentioned above that you need to take care of in order to avoid any complications.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we will answer the question ‘Is it ok to breastfeed my husband while pregnant?’. We will also look at the reasons why your husband would want to breastfeed or you may want your husband to breastfeed. We will also try to look at circumstances where you should avoid breastfeeding your husband.
FAQs: Can I breastfeed my husband while pregnant?
Can my pregnancy affect my breastfeeding baby?
You can carry on breastfeeding while you’re pregnant with your next child, without causing any harm to your toddler or your unborn baby.
What month of pregnancy do breasts produce milk?
Colostrum is being produced from about 16-22 weeks of pregnancy, although many mothers are not aware that the milk is there since it may not be leaking or easy to express.
Does leaking breasts mean good milk supply?
Yes, you may be frustrated by your leaking breasts, but it’s actually a good sign. It means that your body is making lots of milk for your baby.
Do you have to hold your breast while breastfeeding?
You may only need to use a breast hold for a short time. As your baby gets older, breastfeeding becomes more established, and you become more confident, you might find that you no longer need to hold your breast when your baby latches on to breastfeed.
References
https://www.verywellfamily.com/breastfeeding-your-husband-or-intimate-partner-431791
