The Baroness takes on La Leche League

[CaveMum]

Yet another fantastic letter from Baroness Nicholson to La Leche League re their stance on “chest feeding”.

twitter.com/baroness_nichol/status/1334210792468717573?s=21

I think pinkyu is referring to the Aka Pygmy people. So a single tribal group of around 20,000 people in central Africa, they have atypical gender roles and males 'sometimes' breastfeed babies if mum isn't available.

By no means commonplace.

I write with reference to your British Branch policy of encouraging natal males to mimic breastfeeding using untried, drug-stimulated male chest liquids squirted directly into apparently living babies' mouths.

Tell it like it is, Baroness! Speak the truth and shame the devil.

I didn't think I could admire her more than I already did, but this has inspired me. Enough of the fawning euphemisms, the walking on eggshells, the handmaidly submissiveness. This is a woman whose speech cannot be coerced.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2005/jun/15/childrensservices.familyandrelationships

A friendly reminder that some people like to cause consternation and goad posters into a deletion or ban

Thanks, Pahrump.

‘Chest’ does not refer to the correct part of the anatomy for breast feeding. Incidentally, men also get breast cancer.

Why does anyone want to breastfeed their child?

If you don’t believe there are reasons for a male breastfeeding a child that don’t include the needs of that child, you are quite naive. There are written account of how ‘electrifying’ and sensual it is for a male to have a baby suckle. They write these words themselves.

One wrote ‘I got off, don’t judge!’.

😱

Aka pygmy men do not breastfeed babies. That is impossible because of the human biology of milk production. Aka pygmy men use their own nipples as dummies for babies or to keep the baby quiet until the mother arrives to breastfeed. A bit like when a western man might let a baby suck on his little finger to keep it quiet.

@PinkyU

There are a number of cultures which have historically (some which still do) normalised Male lactation. It’s not a new concept.

A lot of cultures have been doing a lot of abhorrent things historically. You might as well bring back slavery.

@StrippedFridge

Aka pygmy men do not breastfeed babies. That is impossible because of the human biology of milk production. Aka pygmy men use their own nipples as dummies for babies or to keep the baby quiet until the mother arrives to breastfeed. A bit like when a western man might let a baby suck on his little finger to keep it quiet.

Thanks for the clarification

Which further begs the question, @PinkyU, which group of male born individuals regularly lactate to nurse their infants?

@Aesopfable

‘Chest’ does not refer to the correct part of the anatomy for breast feeding. Incidentally, men also get breast cancer.

Yes. Because males also possess some breast tissue.

Having breast tissue is not the same as having breasts by the way,

winesalot

The contents of your post is one of the reasons women question chestfeeding/chest liquids.

I judged.

And thank you Baroness.

Quite ladyofshallnot. And trying to forget that aspect, there is always the same reason that males have professional pregnancy shots and post the photos on social media. The fake bump is always covered by a sexily draped sheet, or negligee. But obviously, I can’t mention the name of the reason why or I will get banned. But it is like a proof that they are who they say they are.... very authenticating....

Again, there are some very prominent males doing this, so it is not hard to find.

I won’t mention the other professionally done photo I discussed on the other thread where a real live baby was involved as a prop.

No no. It is only for the same reason that mothers feed their babies....

@Winesalot

Quite ladyofshallnot. And trying to forget that aspect, there is always the same reason that males have professional pregnancy shots and post the photos on social media. The fake bump is always covered by a sexily draped sheet, or negligee. But obviously, I can’t mention the name of the reason why or I will get banned. But it is like a proof that they are who they say they are.... very authenticating....

Again, there are some very prominent males doing this, so it is not hard to find.

What???

An additional point to make about LLL and their commitment to mothers. All babies have mothers. A transwoman attempting to breastfeed a baby will reduce the time that baby spends at its mother's breast, making it much more likely her natural supply will not be brought in effectively. I'm pretty sure LLL, if asked what a dad can do to help a breastfeeding mother, would say the answer is NOT to give a bottle (of expressed milk our formula) but would instead list all the other ways they could support the nursing mother and bond with their child. But somehow when a transwoman is involved, what should be the central ducking aim of LLL - supporting the mother's breastfeeding relationship with her child - goes out of the window.

It's certainly not within their remit, hence the Baroness highlighting the charity's mission statement and objectives.

@CandyLeBonBon

Having breast tissue is not the same as having breasts by the way,

Yes, nor the necessary naturally produced hormones.

I was more thinking, even if you were wanting to be ‘inclusive’ in your language towards transmen (and if you believed TMAM) then ‘breastfeeding’ would still be the correct term.

Ah ok @Aesopfable - I misinterpreted your tone sorry!

Going back to the drugs thing... there are very strict rules about keeping back milk from dairy cows who are being treated with drugs that could potentially be secreted in milk, a whole tanker load of milk can be rejected if one cow is on treatment and that milk goes in the tank. Makes you think doesn’t it.