La Leche League is an organization which aids parents in their breastfeeding journey, or sometimes their chestfeeding journey—a term they’ve adopted to be more inclusive of nonbinary and trans-masculine parents.
However, this level of inclusivity is rankling some folks.
Members of a British social media platform called Mumsnet were quick to jump on criticizing the inclusive language.
According to The New York Post, one mother stated:
“I was a La Leche League leader for many years and am very upset to see how the organization has lost its focus on the mother and baby.”
“LLLGB should not be promoting the idea that males can induce lactation to feed a baby.”
“There is no evidence to say this is safe, only an anecdotal example of a case where a doctor in the US enabled this to happen using off label drugs.”
Unsurprisingly, this quote is rife with misinformation.
Firstly, it seems to only address trans women, and far from there being only one documented case of a trans woman successfully producing milk, it’s actually a relatively common occurrence. It entirely ignores those who were assigned female at birth, who may be nonbinary or trans-masculine, but are still entirely capable of naturally producing milk.
The term ‘chestfeed’ was actually intended to be more inclusive of the latter individuals, who may not want to refer to that part of their anatomy using clearly gendered terms.
It should be no surprise Mumsnet quickly became a hotbed of misinformation and fear mongering around La Leche League’s use of more inclusive language. The U.K. has been embroiled in a wave of anti-trans sentiment, as epitomized by the recent transphobic screed published by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.
Mumsnet is no exception.
Many were quick to call out the pearl-clutching.
Conservatives are so fragile. Sorry, but trans fathers chestfeeding does not doom breastfeeding. https://t.co/FcYlbIv1i4
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) April 25, 2017
So I've come to believe it's best to talk about people with uteruses, people who menstruate, etc. As far as I can tell, the only people who object to this have falsely equated womanhood with a set of biological properties/processes that in fact don't map onto gender neatly.
— Kate Manne (@kate_manne) October 27, 2019
I have also become more aware over time–not to mention during my own pregnancy–of the ways trans men, as well as non-binary people, are hurtfully excluded from discussions of menstruation, pregnancy, breast/chestfeeding, etc.
— Kate Manne (@kate_manne) October 27, 2019
I'd like to believe that some of this is simple ignorance, rather than a complete lack of imagination/compassion. If you're in this camp and lack for resources, here's some links to eps of a great podcast that manages to discuss pregnancy and parenthood in a gender-inclusive way.
— Kate Manne (@kate_manne) October 27, 2019
Unsurprisingly, there were some transphobic people who don’t understand that trans-masculine and nonbinary people exist.
They inherently assumed the term ‘chestfeeding’ was meant to be inclusive of trans women.
Appalling if an organisation with a proud record of helping breastfeeding mothers is now reduced to potentially approving drug-induced "chestfeeding". And they use this ghastly word to avoid "offending" trans women!!
— B Reasonable (@BReasonable3) November 29, 2020
"Chestfeeding" isn't used by trans women Steve. Its used by trans men that have severe body dysmorphia to having breasts. They use a more neutral(masc) term "chest" as both men & women have one. But good on ya for furthering your anti trans stance against trans women (only)
— 💖🙆♀️ Adrianne🙋♀️🌷 (@Now_Adrianne) November 29, 2020
Despite the bigotry, there are those doing amazing work to educate the public on why more inclusive language is important.
Great before/after poster comparison for infant feeding room in a hospital.
Old poster explicitly excluded men – can make trans birth parents uncomfortable.
New poster more inclusive, still uses word "mother" while acknowledging trans/masculine chestfeeding. #TransPregnancy pic.twitter.com/giu6zphCNq
— Trans Pregnancy Project (@transpregnancy) January 15, 2020
In the trans community, 'chestfeeding' may be most inclusive term, however each family will have a preference. Having to constantly correct HCPs can be extremely difficult for LGBTQ families #abmconf19 #abm40
— Charlotte (@themilkrebel) June 22, 2019
Today I'm introducing a trans man at a breastfeeding conference so he can discuss his work with chestfeeding advocacy and I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.
My former self worked in lactation support, so this is truly two worlds colliding in the best of ways.💗
— Amanda Jetté Knox (@MavenOfMayhem) October 5, 2020
Remember everyone, using inclusive language doesn’t take anything away from anyone.
