You may thinking about breastfeeding for the first time, or you’ve been breastfeeding another child and pregnant with your next one and wondering if that type of nipple simulation is OK. If you want to breastfeed your husband — in general yes, most people it’s fine. BUT there are some instances it is NOT OK, so let’s talk about the pro’s and the con’s of it.
Is it ok to breastfeed my husband (or partner) while pregnant?
Most often yes, although you likely won’t have any breastmilk, partners can suck on your breasts if you’re OK with it. However, it can stimulate contractions, so if you have any preterm labor precautions you should avoid it — and talk with your provider about what is OK (or not OK).
BUT, it’s complicated….
Breasts are often part of a sexual experience for both partners. When I saw this topic come up it looks like most of the information out there is more about the sex rather than the risks and the benefits — so, let’s talk about the benefits and also some of the concerns about breastfeeding your partner during pregnancy (and beyond).
However, if you’re wanting to get your partner more involved in your pregnancy — I actually recommend THIS. It’s really meant to bring you closer, so you can be amazing parents together!
Risks to breastfeeding your husband while pregnant
The main risk would be that breast stimulation can sometimes cause or progress preterm labor (it can release the hormone oxytocin, similar to labor). So, if you’ve had some contractions before 36 weeks, or are on bedrest, or medication to stop them, you’ll want to refrain from extra nipple stimulations with your partner. You definitely don’t want early labor from something preventable like this.
The other risk is that your breasts are likely extra tender. If they do things like aggressive sucking, biting or something like that it will be extra painful…. Your partner should be aware of that.
If you’re doing this to actually nourish your partner that isn’t going to happen, so I guess that could be considered a risk?
Here’s a few other risky things in pregnancy:
- Is It OK To Eat Beef Jerky While Pregnant?
- The Fear Of Miscarriage Or Loss
- 6 Tips For Winter Pregnancies
- The 5 Worst Pieces Of Pregnancy Advice I Have Heard
- What STD Tests Are Given To Pregnant Women?
Benefits to breastfeeding your partner while pregnant
The benefit would be a closer relationship with them — which is also very important with all the big changes you’re going through together.
Many husbands find the expanding bustline of a pregnant woman extra attractive, so it would be natural to want to take that into the bedroom.
Many women enjoy their new breasts, and feel extra sexual with them, and this might appeal to them as well.
It looks like some people believe that this extra nipple stimulation will help with your lactation, and that likely isn’t true. Most often you aren’t going to have much breastmilk at all until the baby is born. And “roughing” up your nipples is an old wives tale. I do have a post on if leaking colostrum is a sign of labor though.
The way a newborn sucks at your breast is different and may still take some getting used to if you’ve had other suckling previous to it.
Most of all, I want you to be sure that you’re enjoying it. If you’re not at risk of preterm labor, and you enjoy it — then it’s likely fine. Although if you have ANY questions at all, do ask your provider at your next visit.
Something along these lines — “My husband really likes to touch my breasts, is that OK?”
You may want your husband to suck at your breasts, but they may not enjoy the idea — so make sure you talk about it and see what works for both of you.
While we’re here, have you planned your postpartum life? It’s just as important as a birth plan — grab mine here:
Pro Tip: We have a whole bonus video in here on partner tips during labor and what your partner can do both at HOME and at the HOSPITAL. People love that video/tip sheet!
Is it safe to breastfeed while pregnant?
You will definitely want to talk with your provider if you’re planning to breastfeed during your pregnancy. It’s just something they should be aware of (they’ll want to be extra cautious of your nutrition etc). They can also discuss any issues you should watch for.
In this section I am mostly talking about breastfeeding previous baby vs “adult breastfeeding”.
Many people continue to breastfeed a previous baby while they are pregnant.
Although, most women find that their supply diminishes as their body is already growing another baby and can’t really do the work to nourish both of them. Plus, with all the pregnancy hormones, your breasts may just get confused and turn off. 🙂
However, if you still have breastmilk and you are both enjoying it (and you don’t have any complications that nipple stimulation could increase) there is no reason you need to stop. My friend Katie has a great post on breastfeeding during pregnancy.
That being said, you should not feel guilty if you need to stop due to your increased breast tenderness, or just wanting a break. Breastfeeding while you’re pregnant can bring up a lot of emotions about how things are changing etc, — so listen to yourself on this one, and be kind to yourself.
Here’s a few other safety tip posts:
- What Cough Medicine Can A Pregnant Woman Take?
- Can Women Drink Gatorade During Pregnancy?
- Sunscreen Safety with Samantha Radford from Evidence-Based Mommy
- Safe Cleaning Products for Families with Dr Samantha Radford, from Evidence-Based Mommy
- What Deli Meats Are Safe To Eat During Pregnancy?
Is it safe to breastfeed my husband if we can’t have sex?
For a variety of reasons, your provider may recommend that you not have sexual intercourse during a certain period of your pregnancy.
You may be looking or other ways to be sexual — however, if you’re considering breastfeeding (or just sexual nipple stimulation), please talk with your provider. There may be reasons they don’t want you sexually stimulated at all. Or, breasts may be OK to use if the issue is just with your vagina.
Don’t be afraid to have these difficult conversations with your provider. It may be weird for you, but I will promise it is all in a day’s work for them. It is not weird at ALL for your providers. we want you safe and happy — that’s what’s most important to us!
Heads up! 👀 There may be affiliate links in here – I might earn a smidge with your click. No cost to you, just good vibes! Check my boring stuff for deets.
Is it bad to want to breastfeed my husband during pregnancy?
I think a lot of women wonder what breastfeeding will be like — and if it will hurt, so they try breastfeeding their partner. They may also be very proud of their expanding breasts and the idea appeals to them sexually. All very normal feelings.
You just want to make sure you’re doing it safely especially if your pregnancy is considered high risk.
Having conversations like this might be hard, but it’s really important to start now. You’re having this baby as a TEAM (which means you should get prepared as a team right here).
What does breastmilk taste like?
Most people describe it as sweet. If your partner wants to taste your breast milk there’s no reason to not let them try it (unless it grosses you out). If you have a low milk supply though, you’d want to reserve most of it for the baby. 😉
Does leaking breasts mean good milk supply?
Not always. Some pregnant women will find some leaked breastmilk on their nipples, and some will not — and there doesn’t seem to be any correlation between leaking and good milk supply later on.
If you have concerns about breastfeeding, or you’re wondering about your milk supply, see if you can talk with a lactation consultant in advance. At the very least, take a high quality breastfeeding class.
The Bump to Bassinet Bundle option of The Online Prenatal Class for Couples actually has a whole breastfeeding class included making it a HUGE value!
Does breastfeeding hurt?
While breastfeeding shouldn’t “hurt” — you’ll likely find the first few sucks to be uncomfortable for the first week or so. It’s just a tender part of your body that hasn’t been used that way previously, and the tissues need time to adjust to their new job.
If you find that baby’s suckle hurts you’ll want to un-latch them, and try again. Letting them have a poor latch doesn’t help as they aren’t getting much breastmilk that way, and they could be damaging your nipples. Poor latches can lead to blisters or bleeding nipples which you definitely want to avoid!
If your baby needs a tongue or lip tie release it may hurt more (and you’ll need help fixing that).
Also, make sure to put nipple cream on after every feeding those first few weeks. It can really help.
Here are some more breastfeeding tips posts:
- Breastfeeding Not Working: Transition from breastmilk to formula?
- 5 Mistakes Families Make Preparing For Delivery
- Things To NOT Do After You Have Your Baby
- All in One Birth Class: Prenatal & breastfeeding Included
- How to Prepare for Breastfeeding: A Breastfeeding Checklist
My husband wants to breastfeed after the baby is born
Your breastfeeding relationship is something your husband may be a bit jealous about. He may be sexually interested in your breasts (and you have been counseled by your provider to not have anything in your vagina for six weeks+ after birth). Just make sure you’re both OK with it. Many women enjoy the sensation of breastfeeding their partners, but many also are tired of things touching their breasts and want to be left alone. Both are OK and your partner should be OK with whatever you want.
Be sure to share your concerns about breastfeeding your husband in a kind way where they understand that your breasts are just tired after feeding a human, vs you just not loving them anymore.
Pregnancy can be a fun, exciting and difficult time for relationships — so navigating them together is your best bet. Make sure you’re always communicating and staying in touch with what you each want.
Starting good communication early is a BIG win — The Online Prenatal Class for Couples has questions aimed specifically to help address problem zones. Couples love how it gets them discussing important issues early.
I love what Jeff + Christie said about the class:
“This class was absolutely perfect! We wanted something that kept things lighthearted, while preparing us as much as possible for the birth of our daughter! The content was succinct and extremely helpful and the couples questions were great!”
Check-out the Online Prenatal Class Reviews here!
And, if you’re not quite sure you’re ready for that whole thing, check out my free class. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A nurse since 1997, she has worked in various fields including pediatrics, geriatrics & hospice. She has 20 years of labor and delivery experience in the San Jose, CA and Phoenix, AZ areas.
As an evidence-based prenatal educator Hilary has delivered thousands of babies and has educated hundreds of thousands of parents from a diverse patient population to help them have a confident birth.
Is maternity shapewear safe? What happens if you wear Spanx while pregnant?
