The mommy blogs and twitter were all a-buzz last week over the story of a husband who declared he was going to exist on his wife’s breast milk for as long as he could. The California couple, Katie and Curtis, had a freezer full of pumped breast milk they didn’t want to see wasted. Katie is also a doula, so she was likely inspired to raise awareness of the health benefits to breast milk.
So, she and her husband started a blog called Don’t Have a Cow, Man, in order to document his journey. The blog was taken down two days later, however, due to the high volume of negative comments that came in.
People were disgusted at the notion of a grown man (a 6’4”, 185-pound father) drinking his wife’s breast milk, while others judged them for not donating it to a family in need.
On that—I have one quick question to throw in the ring: why does human milk carry such a large ‘ick” factor over cows’ milk? If you think about it, cows are a bit dirtier. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I wish my husband had done the same thing, but logically, it’s a fair question. But I digress…the story continues and it has a good ending.
When the Don’t Have a Cow, Man blog was taken down, Katie read through the comments and connected with a Montreal mom, Emma Kwasnica, who runs a global milk-sharing network (Human Milk 4 Human Babies). Emma was able to introduce Katie and Curtis to a mother in California with quadruplets who needed the milk. It worked out perfectly.
From where I’m standing, this California couple achieved quite a bit in one week. Firstly, they went ‘viral’ and became an internet story in two days. That in itself is an accomplishment. But even better, they were able to raise awareness, spark debates and discussions online that eventually lead to the most desirable ending. Everyone won.
What do you think? Is a human mother’s milk gross?
Comments
I think it’s a bit strange. However people have done weirder things, such as drinking their own urine, if we throw that example into the mix drinking breast milk is by far more acceptable. I agree with some that donating the milk right off the bat would have been the best idea, but what husband hasn’t tried breast milk? People need to settle down, it’s not like this grown man was suckling at his wife’s tit. Glad there was a happy outcome for the babies in need.
Since cows milk is meant for calves, in the balance of life wouldn’t it only be fair if we started allowing cows to drink our breast milk? Just a thought =P.
Not gross, but considering breast milk is supposed to put on the pounds and increase the rapid growth of a baby, can’t see the cleansing benefits, unless you like green smelly poops.
I guess my question would be WHY? I can imagine the couple sitting down and if their true reasons for doing this was the abundance of human milk in the freezer, surely they are responsible enough to look at other options. Surely this was a publicity stunt. Anyhow, happy it ended well, but hope that others be more considerate (or less idiotic) in future!
This couple should be celebrated! For all the well-intentioned ‘breast is best’ talk out there, I still encounter negativity, misinformation, and discrimination on a regular basis as a breastfeeding mother. These folks have made a much needed statement about mother’s milk and the value of breastfeeding. Why are people, women included, so uncomfortable, and often disgusted, by the unique capabilities of the feminine body? Because a woman’s body is powerful, life-giving and God-like. It could be said that Curtis, the father, was bowing at the alter of his wife, and mother of his children, by drinking her milk. How humble, noble and endearing.
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