Male lactation device wins design award

A chestfeeding kit providing all the necessary hormones a man needs to produce milk for his baby was among the winners at the first Meaning-Centred Design Awards.

The idea came from Marie-Claire Springham who hopes the product will provoke a debate about the meaning behind gender in parenthood and comes about as the Government consults on changes to the Gender Recognition Act. The product works with a pump and compression vest.

Award winner Marie-Claire Springham said: “I’m thrilled to have won such a prestigious award.

“The kit has the power to take what we thought we knew about parenting and turn it on its head, breaking down the strict gender and societal roles we have created for new parents. I hope the discussions raised by this project are taken further and inspire even more innovation and progress.”

Awards chair Julie Benson Bennett added: “The chestfeeding kit deserves particular attention because it challenges the fundamental meanings of male and female, father and mother, parent and child. At a time when we increasingly use hormones, medication and technology to change the life options available to us, Marie-Claire’s design concept goes right to the heart of our taboos.”