Milking It: The Buzz on Trans Women’s Superior Milk Production

Breastfeeding has always been a topic of discussion and now, more than ever, it’s at the forefront of controversy with the news that breast milk produced by trans women is just as beneficial for infants as milk produced by birthing mothers. The recent revelation from the National Health Services Trust in the UK has sparked a heated debate, as every aspect of transgender individuals’ lives seems to do in today’s society.

The leaked letter from the University of Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust defended the practice of trans women receiving hormone and drug-based therapy to induce breastfeeding. The milk produced by trans women undergoing this treatment was deemed “comparable to that produced following the birth of a baby,” according to The Telegraph. This assertion challenges traditional notions of breastfeeding and motherhood, adding fuel to the fire of the ongoing discourse surrounding transgender rights and healthcare.

To stimulate milk production, trans women and individuals assigned male at birth can undergo hormone therapy involving estrogen and drugs like domperidone. While domperidone is commonly used to promote lactation in cis women, its use for inducing breastfeeding in trans women has faced criticism due to potential side effects on the breastfeeding child. Despite this, the NHS Trust maintains that the therapy is safe, aligning with the limited adverse effects reported in published cases.

The benefits of hormonal therapies for inducing breastfeeding extend to both cis and trans women, yet the practice faces opposition, largely fueled by transphobia. Lottie Moore from thinktank Policy Exchange criticized the NHS Trust’s stance, claiming that the secretions produced by a trans woman on hormones cannot nourish an infant in the same way as a biological mother’s milk. This backlash underscores the challenges and prejudices that transgender individuals continue to encounter in accessing healthcare and affirming their identities.

Interestingly, the uproar surrounding induced breastfeeding for trans women contrasts with the relatively muted response when the practice was primarily associated with cis women and surrogate mothers. The double standard highlighted by Slate reveals underlying biases and misconceptions that shape public opinion on transgender healthcare. As discussions around gender identity and expression evolve, it’s crucial to approach such topics with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to inclusivity in healthcare practices.