Breastfeeding support group wants to allow males

Are they talking about having random male spectators or audience sitting in on a women's breastfeeding group? People who have no connection to the people breastfeeding and who are not breastfeeding themselves.

Why?

Trans men are female, the question was about asking if males could be allowed in the group.

Well no, as OP has stated several times they are referring to transmen and transwomen being able to join. It doesn't make sense to be honest.

But how did they confirm they were female? Anyone can set up any Facebook profile, add random people and seem like a genuine account. It's a risk you take on social media sadly, anything you share can be seen by people you don't know, and shared anywhere, a women's only group doesn't guarantee anything. I know that's very cynical and support groups are invaluable, but fundamentally if anyone got their kicks previously they could have done- the kicker is if women are dismissed, their voices dimmed and language criticized by new people joining. I can't imagine there's going to be a huge influx mind.

If they have had chest surgery then it wouldn't be the right place to get support, surely?

If they had had chest surgery they wouldn't be breastfeeding because they would have no breast tissue.

Trans men are female, the question was about asking if males could be allowed in the group.

My husband came to the actually physical breastfeeding group with me when I went for the first time.

How did the other brand new first time post partum mums feel about that?

This is a no brainer if several admins have stepped down, your not happy other people won't be happy just set up a new group. Cost nothing.

@Duckwit in my view, yes trans men are female BUT.... if their profile presents as male then some women would be uncomfortable. How would they know it was a transman per se? Also, why would they want to join a largely, be definition, female group? If they have had chest surgery then it wouldn't be the right place to get support, surely?

Of course but I would presume that by allowing men that a greater proportion of men would be in the group

Well yes, but allowing men in general in and allowing transwomen to join are 2 seperate issues. The latter will likely have their 'new' name on the profiles, has someone been vetting members to confirm they are female so far? I am all for women's only spaces and am GC, but failing to see the real issue here. If they are letting all men join then yes, although the majority likely do want to learn more and are 'genuine' it changes the dynamic of the group and I would say I was unhappy too. If you're unhappy with both transmen and transwomen joining it seems odd as TM are biologically women.

I would feel uncomfortable with makes in a breastfeeding group. I don’t care if they are partners or husbands I would still feel uncomfortable. Why do men have to be involved. I don’t choose to join men’s groups.

I still don't get your problem with transmen being allowed in the group - they are female?

@frolicmum you see, I think this is wrong. I'm all for men supporting their partners with breastfeeding but it simply is not fair on the other women to have a man there. When I went to bf support groups, like a lot of other mums, I needed help with latch which involved the lactation consultant physically helping me. My breasts were on display and I would have HATED a man being there. It's just not appropriate.

Sorry OP i didn't realise it wasn't about dads.

Anyone on Facebook can be anyone, if a male wanted to join for nefarious purposes they could anyway under the guise of a female photo and name. Transmen are biologically female so I don't really see the issue if they require support, other than if they strive to have language changed and challenge any use of the word woman or whatever in posts; seems unlikely as a lot of the push comes from men. If the post was specifically saying transwomen can now join then yes that's odd, but I cannot imagine hoardes joining in honesty. There are plenty of groups online for BFing support, if you don't agree then it's more than reasonable to leave the group and find another.

My husband came to the actually physical breastfeeding group with me when I went for the first time. To listen to what the breastfeeding consultants have to say and how he can support me at home to get the right latch, my brain was still frazzled 5 days after baby was born so it was good to have him there. I think it's important that partners and husbands are welcome.

I don't know op. It's a difficult one but I kind of hoped my dh had something like this wen I was breastfeeding so he could support me more or atLeast help with the other kids when I was feeding.... just to understand it isn't always like the pretty mums in adverts an it can hurts an it's a lot of pressure but it's amazing to bond and the things baby can get from it. X

Ffs. That’s shitty op.

It’s a very specific group for people who are breastfeeding. It is not some sort of elitist exclusionary group! I’m no longer breastfeeding and I wouldn’t feel comfortable going back into those spaces.
If We want to encourage mothers to do it and this is not the way forward.
If it was mum or dad that bottle fed it wouldn’t really be the space for them even.

What's wrong with having transmen in the group though?

Did the group itself refer to transwomen as 'males' as that is very transphobic according to the dogma?

How many transwomen are out there who have 'induced lactation' (using god knows what drugs?) that this specific group would need to open up for them?

I would suggest that a bog standard breastfeeding group for women wouldn't be the best place for a male who has induced lactation anyway, as pretty much all of the issues are going to totally different to what females experience anyway, and the advice given could be completely wrong.