Chestfeeding

The chest feeding (grrrrrrr) thing started, or was at least taken up, by transman Trevor MacDonald, a Canadian (I think), who became pregnant (cos of being female) and wanted to give the baby human milk, but did not want to reference this action by giving it a 'female' term. As a result, BF support people (a few of them) got all guilty and sad and felt not to acknowledge this would be to exclude transmen parents.

No one should exclude transmen parents. And if they want to call what they're doing 'chestfeeding' then they can do so. But it doesn't make it so! They are definitely, definitely breastfeeding.

When you see a baby in repose on his or her mother's (oops, I did it again!) body, he or she is generally described as lying on her chest. Or across her chest. A chest, in common parlance, is different.

why do TW want to bf so much if it's not part of being a woman according to TM

Because it validates their identity as female.

And precisely because it is one of the most womanly things women can do.

Is it me or has the world gone batshit?

why do TW want to bf so much if it's not part of being a woman according to TM

Because it validates their identity as female.

Breast does not equal chest. They are two different things and to use the words interchangeably is both disingenuous and ignorant.

My cousin's husband was diagnosed with chest cancer and had muscles, tissues and at least one rib removed because of it. He has a great cavity in his chest where the mass was removed and when he inhales you can see the side of his neck inflate.

A friend had a bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer. She later had her breasts reconstructed using abdominal fat.

Well I'm quite happy with the adult woman female definition...

What is a woman golden?

Last time I checked only a woman can get pregnant.

You haven't checked all that recently then...

Please don't tell me gestator means what I think it does????

Last time I checked only a woman can get pregnant.

Is this a joke? Am I the only one who can see antenatal care being withdrawn to some extent to appease these nut jobs?

I never understand the "chestfeeding" phrase.
I mean, apparently it's so as not to offend transmen who wish to feed babies naturally, but seeing as we're expected to see penises as female, can't breasts also be male?

Besides also, man-males do actually have breasts, anyway... and can also lactate (in certain conditions) so breasts are breasts are breasts....

Also if a transman is so gender-dysphoric by having breasts he gets them removed by a double mastectomy, this person will never be breastfeeding ever. So I don't think the language is talking to them.

Why is it ok to offend women with words like chest feeding/gestater? Do we not count?

You can draw your own conclusions.

It's called breast feeding as it comes from breast tissue. It's a scientific term.

Mind you female is also a scientific term, and we aren't allowed to use that anymore.

Is it just me who is starting to feel ashamed about my body? Because I just happened to be born as a woman, I just happen to have a womb which can carry a baby and breasts which can feed them. I'm starting to feel like these organs are something to be ashamed of.

Zintox yes absolutely. I call it out at work and in with my friends (have actually fallen out with some over it ) but tend to stay out of social media debates (I just rage quietly at the screen). I’m currently composing a letter to my MP (happens to be Jeremy Corbyn) so i’m trying to speak up as much as I can.

I’ve been posting on the AA thread which is interesting as the majority are in our camp. I’ve had enough of hiding on this issue. We have to speak out so other women know what’s happening.

Hiiii hello hiya!!
I think this is my peak trans moment and I have found my way over here so can I just say thank you for providing a lovely space where actual debate can take place.
So when I read the above liked article today and realised that I wouldn’t ever post on FB I had to stop lurking here and get involved.
I am a breastfeeding peer supporter. I am also the mother of 3 boys and I have had enough.
Breasts/breastmilk are terms rooted in female biology and anatomy. I work with women who ovulated, gestated and lactated and I have had enough of this batshit crazy trans ideology. Urgh.

I kind of wish someone would come along and ask one of the people that talks about "chest feeding" whether they would also refer to "chest cancer".

I love that some idiot has kicked off over the poster of shoes not being inclusive because they all appear to be the type of shoes worn by women.

Whilst anyone can be a parent, if someone has given birth or are breastfeeding, they are a biological women however they identify.

The language relating to the biology of half the planets population is being changed to appease a tiny minority.

would you expect health professionals to refer to your UTI as a bowel infection?

its fucking crazy, HEALTH professionals should be anatomically correct and not use ajoining but inaccurate body parts to talk about breastfeefing.

Its like creationists complaining that science curriculums say evolution!!

I'm glad this whole issue of 'inclusive language' is getting an airing.

Chest feeding gives me the rage. I also hate breastfeeding/chestfeeding.

As Golden says, individuals can call what they do chest feeding. Be my guest. Call it what hell you like. But don't ask me as a mother or as a breastfeeding supporter to accommodate you by calling it anything other than breastfeeding, unless I am actually speaking to you as an individual. I will then manage to pretend, out of courtesy and kindness, that the milk is made in your 'chest' and pretend I am just imagining those two large round protuberances you are offering your baby.

When you get mastitis do you have a "chest infection"?

no. you bloody dont. your breasts are inflamed and unless that turns septic it doesnt involve your chest at all!!

From The Merchant of Venice:
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast.
The law allows it, and the court awards it.

I asked about skin to skin for a possible upcoming elcs and the mw described lying the baby 'on my chest' and that it can feel a bit like they're strangling you as there's not much room.

ROFL - yes. I had a reaction to the spinal, and was twitching and shaking so much that I couldn't risk my first coming close to me (I remember being scared witless when they brought him round the screen, and concentrating so hard on keeping my violently twitching arms outstretched to my sides and my head back so I didn't knock him) - but yes, I can imagine that if you're out flat, and a baby is put on your chest, that it's going to feel suffocating!