# Why do men have nipples? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 19, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-nipples/525517 "2010-01-19T03:34:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fatal\_Finality](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a698b9/32.png) [@Fatal\_Finality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fatal_Finality)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-nipples/525517/1 "2010-01-19T03:34:15Z")
I actually did read before that men could feed their young if they were determined enough to manually stimulate lactation! Whether this is true, I do not know. However, there ARE medications that can cause men to lactate! ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2010, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-nipples/525517/2 "2010-01-19T12:39:40Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **Fatal\_Finality** , we’re glad to have you with us. When you start a thread, it’s helpful to other readers if you provide a link to the column under discussion. In this case: [Why do men have nipples? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/85/why-do-men-have-nipples) Saves searching time and helps keep us all on the same page. No biggie, you’ll know for next time, and, as I say, welcome! ---
**Author:** ![aleksandrj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9f8e36/32.png) [@aleksandrj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aleksandrj)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-have-nipples/525517/3 "2010-01-20T02:27:14Z")
i’ve read that the baby primate held in it’s father arms will also reflexively suck the male nipple. While no milk is produced, it does creates a pleasurable bonding experience for both members. This in turn leads to the father sticking around and defending his family, increasing the survival of the species. A little creepy to think about now days, but it does explain the partially functioning male nipple.