One in a million can be taken literally when referring to the 29-year-old male lactation masseur from the city of Puyang in Henan Province. Yang Jun owns a hairdressing salon in the city and works part time as a lactation masseur according to a report in the China Daily. He has ventured where very few men dare to go as he his the only third registered male lactation masseur in China.He started taking classes this July and has already had two clients for a rate of RMB 200 each.
Breastfeeding can be challenging for mothers and this year’s world breastfeeding week theme ‘BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT: CLOSE TO MOTHERS’ is trying to raise awareness on breastfeeding mothers getting local support to continue breastfeeding. The reason for this according to the world breastfeeding site is:
Even when mothers are able to get off to a good start, all too often in the weeks or months after delivery there is a sharp decline in breastfeeding rates, and practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding.
The organization holds a Big Latch On event worldwide where mothers congregate to simultaneously breastfeed at the same time followed by a question and answer time then a sharing session. This year, the Le Leche League in Beijing will be hosting a Big Latch On at the Beijing United Family Hospital.
Support for breastfeeding mothers has always been family however due to migration to places away from relatives, a wider circle of support is needed. Mothers can get support from trained health workers, lactation consultants, community leaders, or from friends who are also mothers, and/or from fathers/partners.
Yang in his special way is providing mothers with the support they need to continue breastfeeding. His parents were opposed to the idea of him being a lactation masseur and his girlfriend started out feeling jealous but has warmed up to the idea.
Photo courtesy of the Le Leche League
