Dear Pamela and all,
This is a real tricky one isn't it?????
As a father myself I suppose that one can feel envious/jealous of the
relationship that develops between a nursing mother and her child. I think
that I don't remember such an event but that could, of course, be mere
revisionism on my part. I suppose that it simply did not occur to me that
this is something that I could or should participate in. I guess that, as
previously stated, I feel that men as fathers have their own unique
contribution to make to their children that does not need to include feeding
while their children are breastfed.
I do, however, agree with the statement that women are fortunate to be able
to breast feed. But then there are moments when I feel that my partner was
fortunate to be able to be pregnant and deliver 2 healthy full term babies.
The whole thing about pregnancy and babies is so complex and almost
unbelievable and yet most of us would baulk at implanting fertilised eggs in
men. I have very firm and amazing memories of being awoken during the night
by the kicking of my children before they were born. It is seldom that the
joys of father hood are discussed.
I guess the thrust of some of my feelings and opinions on this issue are
that men and women are not the same. We both have really important things to
offer to our children but they are not the same things. There are times that
my partner expresses wonder at the relationship that I have with our
children. As happens visa versa. That is life - children develop their own
relationship with their father when allowed to. It is different to their
relationship with their mother but it is as intimate and as important.
Phillip Sheard, Father to Alex 7 and Elena 3, RN and Community Nurse.
Things are cooling down in Sydney,Australia for winter
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lactation Information and Discussion
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Pamela Morrison IBCLC
> Sent: Friday, June 18, 1999 2:36 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Men nursing
>
>
> Several really great Dads I've had the pleasure of working with have shown
> envy of their wives being able to breastfeed, saying things like
> "Women are
> so lucky to be able to breastfeed", or "I really wish *I* could
> breastfeed".
> This week I did a hospital visit to a couple who had attended a
> prenatal BF
> class. I immediately remembered the Dad - he's huge, big, muscly - and
> asked lots and lots of questions during the class. Sure enough, he was
> totally besotted with his new little daughter, and eager to help
> "critique"
> his wife's positioning in order to help resolve the beginnings of sore
> nipples. He had to get back to work before we'd finished, and when he'd
> left, I complimented the mom on having such an involved husband.
> "Oh yes",
> she said, "And he'll try breastfeeding after we get home".
> Apparently they
> had discussed it, in advance, and this enormous, very-macho man fully
> intended to put the baby to his breast. Mom then related how *her* father
> had inadvertently "breastfed" her, when she was a baby. She had
> been crying,
> Mom had left Dad with the baby to go and get something, and she
> had "latched
> on" to his breast - apparently taking 2 - 3 sucks, waiting, taking 2 - 3
> sucks more, finding nothing coming out, and screaming even louder.
>
> Sweet, huh?
>
> Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>
> ***********************************************
> The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
> LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
> mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
>
***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
