Scientists have developed a lactation pill that allows men to produce milk and breastfeed their babies.
The male breastfeeding pill works by temporarily boosting progesterone levels in men, which artificially stimulates their mammary glands. A special protein contained in the pill switches on a lactation gene, normally dormant in dads, and allows them to produce milk for as long as they keep taking the medication.
Men can breastfeed too
The lactation wonderpill is currently undergoing last-stage human trials in Sweden and is expected to be on the market by 2018.
“This is a game changer for the whole idea that only women can breastfeed,” says Associate Professor Tirion Bryst, of Sweden’s Borstvoeding Institute.
“It really will revolutionise the act of breastfeeding. No-one will ever make jokes about man boobs again.”
Chest is best
Prof Bryst tells Mum’s Grapevine the World Health Organisation has agreed to change its “Breast is best” slogan, used to promote breastfeeding around the world, in recognition of the groundbreaking new pill.
“Breast is best is not gender inclusive and perpetuates the idea that only women can breastfeed – an idea which this new pill now puts to rest – so WHO have agreed to lead with a new non-gender specific phrase for a brave new era of breastfeeding. And that is ‘chest is best’.”
The chestfeeding pill is expected to be available in Australia by 1 April, 2018.
Parents can preregister their interest to receive a trial pack of the chestfeeding pills at Loof Pharmaceuticals.
