Remember when they came out with the Willow — that wearable, hands-free breast pump that lets you literally stick it inside your bra and carry on with your day while it pumps your liquid gold? Yeah, that was cool. And for working moms everywhere, it's been a real saving grace. But what if I told you there's a new device in the works that'll make breastfeeding your baby even easier — because it lets dad do all the work? (Stay with me on this one … )
The device, which for now is being called a "chestfeeding kit," is the brainchild of Marie-Clarie Springham, a UK product design student.
Springham has basically described it as an "empathy tool" for new dads and dads-to-be, which will allow them to more intimately take part in the care and feeding of their baby by helping them produce breast milk themselves.
Is your mind blown yet? Just wait, 'cause it's about to be.
According to a promotional video for the device, the kit will offer dads hormone supplements to induce lactation.
It also includes a compression vest and breast pump.
The intent, Springham says, is to help fathers better bond with their babies while simultaneously taking some of the burden off of moms, who more often than not bear the brunt of parenting duties.
Whether or not you can get on board with the whole "breastfeeding dads" thing, you at least have to agree it aims to solve a very real problem.
There's been a lot of conversation in recent years about the "invisible work" of parenting, shouldered mostly by mothers. Even though fathers are more involved than ever before and mothers have reentered the workforce in incredible numbers, the fact still remains: Mothers are the primary caregivers in most households, and the mental load of this weighs heavily on them.
When you consider all this, perhaps it's not so out there to think that if dads could breastfeed — and thereby take on some of the physical labor (and greatest time stealers) of new motherhood — then maybe, just maybe, that imbalance could correct itself.
The chestfeeding kit could also provide an amazing opportunity for gay dads who may have come into parenthood through adoption or surrogacy, and would love the chance to breastfeed their child.
Still, using the device would be a long-term commitment dads would have to sign on for before their baby is even born.
(Ya know, kinda like how breastfeeding is for moms!)
Dads would need to take progestin and domperidone beforehand, which would change the breast tissue so that breast milk can be stored (aka just as it is in moms). They would also need to sign up for a prenatal course before they could get the nine-month supply of medication to get that milk to start flowing.
Then, presumably, by the time the baby is born, both parents will be producing milk so breastfeeding duties can be shared.
Woah.
Now, in case you're wondering, "Wait -- does this mean my husband will grow boobs??" The answer is ... well, yes -- kinda.
According to Dezeen, the compression vest is basically the male version of a maternity bra but with a zipper down the front for easy access.
"I figured as many chestfeeding dads can grow up to the size of a B cup, they could use the extra support," Springham told Dezeen.
That alone might send most interested dads running for the hills … but for those it doesn't scare off, Springham promises the benefits will far outweigh any initial awkwardness.
There is one other caveat: It's still in the prototype phase, meaning the kit is not expected to hit the market for five years.
By then, you may be well out of the breastfeeding stage. But if you aren't and are one of the many women who have jokingly (or not so jokingly) complained before that you wish your husband and his worthless nipples could awake in the middle of the night and at least take on one feeding … then maybe this thing is right up your alley.
You know what they say: Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. (Of course, half the battle would lie in convincing your husband.)
