OK guys, it may sound a bit strange to some but I love to 'chestfeed' my little! He loved it too! I have extremely sensitive nipples and nothing beats the sensations I get when my boy nurses on them! I have this fantasy of being able to produce milk for my boy which would be the height of 'sealing the bond' between us in my opinion.
Just before you all reach for the sick bucket, I must add that men in fact, can produce milk. We have all the right bits, glands, ducts and such and with steady, regular stimulation to the nipple, it is thought that the brain would in fact kick in telling the body to start producing Prolactin. I have read some studies suggesting that the milk produced by a man would indeed be a viable source of sustenance for a baby, providing the father was a healthy individual. Many men also hold their babies upon their bare chests which helps to solidify the bond between father and child. While doing so, many men have reported that their baby will in fact search for and suckle upon their nipple and most are pleasantly surprised by the sensation! Also, it does the baby no harm and after all, to them, it must be so much better than just a dummy/pacifier as they also benefit from the warmth of the father's chest, they get to know his scent and in all probability it could help make them feel safe and loved.
Looking at it from another point of view, how many nursing women suffer with blocked milk ducts, painful and swollen breasts and so on? Imagine if the Father was able to help relieve some pressure and help out with the feeding? Even if the baby was just using Dad as a pacifier, it would surely keep them happy for a while longer in the warmth of a Father's chest than laying in a cot with a dummy!
Discuss!