I’m passionate about many things in life, and near the top of my list is breastfeeding. It’s natural (for most), it’s milk that is tailor-made for your baby, and it’s your baby’s nourishment ready to go at a moments notice. Now, this isn’t going to be a debate about formula v.s. breast milk, so don’t run away yet! I’m all for supporting moms no matter how you feed your baby! But this IS about breast milk. I read an interesting article on Parenting.com about a man who created a blog about surviving on only his wife’s breast milk. The story is that his wife had pumped so much milk while her babies were in the NICU to keep her supply going, she ended up with a massive amount of milk that she couldn’t use. So, her husband decided he was going to drink the milk and nothing else and of course, blog about it! My first thought was, why not donate the milk to a milk bank or send it to a country where there is a great need? Apparently, they have tried (not sure on how hard or how often) and have been unsuccessful. The husband is only a few days into his new meal routine and he seems satisfied, even feeling better than he was on solid food.

I’ve been following this story a bit, just trying to range the reactions of people reading the blog and of course as I suspected there are people for and those very against this idea. My thoughts?? Well…I’m not grossed out by it. I will be honest and say I have tasted my own breast milk, and I think it’s sweet, like vanilla rice milk. I suspect he’ll have some, um, digestive issues in the future because breastfed baby poo is pretty runny at times!

But honestly, I think this is all for show. I mean, I’m glad he is not wasting it, if anything it’s giving attention to people who have to work hard and pump for their babies. My own son was in the NICU, and I had to pump. it’s not enjoyable, and I bow down to any mother who exclusively pumps! But I think this is not the attention breastfeeding and pumping moms want.

I think if this couple tried really hard, they could use this blog find a person or a place to donate this milk to. How about a terminally ill patient? I had a friend in need of pumped breast milk for a dear friend of hers, and her supply had dried up due to pregnancy, so I reached out and offered what little stash I had left. The man and his doctor had researched the benefits of breast milk for cancer patients and when drinking breast milk he was feeling energized (I believe he mixed it with his oatmeal!) despite his treatments that left him tired and weak. I’m not saying breast milk is a cancer cure, but I wanted to share another avenue, and to show them that if they want to be an example of how not to waste this liquid gold there is another way to go. The milk is not really going to waste, but they could be better utilizing their attention and breast milk in a more positive way.

The blog, Don’t Have A Cow, Man is no longer available but you can read more about the story at ABC News and The Huffington Post.

Want to read more from Heather, check out her personal blog Life with the Stevens.