Japanese Invention Allows Men To 'Breastfeed' Their Babies Because Why Not?

This isn't necessarily because dads don't want to help, or aren't willing to share childcare responsibilities. One key area where dads just don't have the equipment to help is breastfeeding.

Sure, they can always give mom a night off by strapping their passed-out baby to their chest and attending an NBA game. But when it comes to feeding time, all dads can really do is offer up a bottle.

Babies instinctively start trying to get at the breast when they're hungry. If you're a guy who's ever held a baby, you've probably experienced a baby looking in vain for a source of milk.

When a baby is accustomed to breast milk, sometimes the bottle just won't do. So what can a dad do? It basically amounts to handing the baby off to Mom so it can be fed.

The Dentsu Group came to SXSW 2019 with a full arsenal of intriguing inventions. But it's possible that the most intriguing one is the one that looks to solve this age-old parenting problem.

Called Father's Nursing Assistant (I'm sure they'll come up with a catchier name when it hits the market), the device basically simulates breasts. Dads can easily put it on using the attached shoulder strap.

Once the device is loaded up with milk or formula, it's ready to go. Since babies tend to find the breast by its shape and location, this places the milk source right where the baby's looking for it.

Dentsu notes that moms face a significant burden when it comes to childcare. "Focusing on breastfeeding, we aim to decrease the amount of burden on mothers and increase the amount of time infants sleep by enabling fathers to breastfeed," they write.

The breastfeeding device was designed with advice from pediatricians and babysitters in mind. Noting that the softness of their mom's breast can be soothing to babies, the device is intentionally soft and rounded.

It doesn't seem entirely necessary, but people do love apps. So Dentsu's device can be connected to a smartphone app that offers all sorts of granular details on what's going on.

Because it attaches to the chest using straps, both of Dad's hands are free to comfort and soothe the baby. In other words, it creates as much of a mom-like experience as it possibly can.

One side (Dad's left) has the breastfeeding system. The other side contains a tank for milk or formula, which is fed across the chest to the breastfeeding apparatus on the left.

SXSW is a proving ground for new designs, so there's no timeline yet for when this device could hit the open market. It'll likely go through a few tweaks and revisions before it does.

Many dads want to share equally in childcare duties, but sometimes it just isn't possible. This device looks like it could be the key to a true 50/50 split of responsibilities.

True, it isn't the most stylish looking thing ever. But when it comes to childcare, every little thing helps — and this looks like it could help a ton. What do you think? Tell us in the comments!

h/t: Dentsu