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06/16/2005: "Why men have nipples... not what you think"

Once a long time ago I had heard of an African tribe where the men think nothing of offering a nipple to a crying baby if the mother is not immediately available, but I was never quite sure if it was only a subSaharan legend. Now I know. FatherWorld, a UK magazine, has published a study on these men, and not only that, but FatherWorld treats it as something normal and wonderful. They offer a photo of an Aka Pygmy dad and his child. (It's an odd file type, but your browser should be able to handle it.) Two things I notice about the Dad. #1 He looks extraordinarily young himself, and #2 he looks extraordinarily peaceful & happy. Has that oxytocin (that wonderful breastfeeding peace hormone) kicked in?

You sure blew your chance, Rosie O'Donnell ;-)

I doubt many "modern world" men would ever try do what Aka Pygmy dads do, but maybe there are a few out there who do, but just ain't talkin'. Like all the women I've known who've nursed their children a lot longer than they are willing to admit to their pediatricians. They just use the unspoken, "if I'm not asked, I won't tell" rule.

Well, even if y'ain't talkin', Happy Father's Day to all you happy breastfeeding dads out there. And to all you happy dads who support your child's breastfeeding relationship with his or her mother.

All the Breast,

Suzanne.