Women who define themselves as men are encouraged to breastfeed, even if they are receiving hormone treatment.
The British National Health Service (NHS) has shockingly created special guidelines for transgender people who are undergoing testosterone treatment during gender transition to change from female to male, but are breastfeeding their baby in the process.
Although it is not known what the consequences are for the baby if the mother feeds them while taking testosterone, the NHS encourages these people to continue "breast feeding", the Voice of Europe news portal has pointed out. .
The NHS guidance has sparked huge outrage on social media. On the one hand, because of its absurdity - since it is hard to imagine how a woman who claims to be a man can even give birth to a baby while receiving testosterone treatment.
On the other hand, because it caused concern among defenders of women's rights and children's welfare.
The GenderReceipts X page shared the NHS guidance on 'Testosterone and Pregnancy', which mentions that testosterone can affect milk production, potentially making breastfeeding impossible.
However, he then suggests that if "breastfeeding" is possible while taking testosterone, then milk may contain trace amounts of the hormone.
Hi @NHSuk why are you suggesting trans identified women who 'chestfeed' take testosterone if it's 'triggering' for them to stop, despite stating it's 'unclear' how the milk could affect the baby? @againstgrmrs @SteveBarclay @andrewdoyle_com @ReduxxMag https://t.co/QwXGPjNJUZ pic.twitter.com/pgX7IIu0Vr
— Gender Receipts (@GenderReceipts) October 11, 2023
GenderReceipts asks how the NHS can even recommend breastfeeding when trans-identified women are taking testosterone and the effects on the child are unknown. NHS guidance states that "it is not clear what, if any, effect this may have on the baby", but also highlights the importance of considering the well-being of an individual experiencing gender dysphoria, which may be at risk if they stop taking testosterone.
In other words, the "well-being" of the trans person is more important than the health of the baby.
By the way, the use of inclusive language in maternity care has also caused controversy, including the replacement of the term "breastfeeding" with "breastfeeding".
