After not being allowed into breastfeeding classes with his wife, photographer Hector Cruz started campaign "Project Breastfeeding" in which he took photos featuring men - some shirtless - holding their infants as though they were breast-feeding.
According to USA Today, Cruz wanted nothing more but to support his wife, Nicole, who was having trouble breastfeeding their daughter. She feared the pain from breastfeeding, which often left her nipples cracked and bleeding.
From his wife's struggle, Cruz came up with "Project Breastfeeding." Many of the dads featured in the campaign were from Nashville and Ft. Campbell military base. Cruz said he was surprised by how many people wanted to take photos for the campaign.
"If you ask any guy, 'Hey, if you could breastfeed, would you?' They would say no," Cruz said. "But if you rephrase that question, 'Would you do absolutely anything for your child and for your wife?' That starts to challenge us. We are ingrained to be protectors. That's part of our DNA."
Cruz, who is a professional-drummer-turned-commercial-photographer, said that breastfeeding was not only a Tennessee issue, but a global issue. The Clarksville dad said his goal is not just to get people talking but to engage and educate fathers.
After struggling to conceive for 10 years, Cruz told USA Today that he did not want to miss a single moment of his daughter's development. However, he became frustrated after being excluded from breastfeeding classes with his wife.
The 33-year-old father said men do not feel like "their opinions are taken into consideration" with it comes to prenatal and newborn parental decisions
"Fathers have been kind of relegated to sit in the corner of the doctor's office," Cruz said. "We are not part of the equation. We help make the babies, but after that we are not a part of the experience. You kind of feel like the chauffeur."
Cruz said men should be allowed into the classes to "create a very supportive, nurturing, healthy environment for mom and baby" and learn how they can help. He added that without the proper resources, men struggle with newborns.
"Project Breastfeeding" photos have been featured on "Today," Time.com, Fox News and the Huffington Post. USA Today reported that Cruz is currently working on billboards of his images to educate men across the country.
"I decided I was going to change my community," Cruz said. "If I can make my community the most breastfeeding friendly community, I will have succeeded. I don't have to worry about my wife going anywhere and breastfeeding my daughter."
