NO TO MALE "BREASTFEEDING"

A statement addressing attempts to normalise male 'breastfeeding'

Recent claims from the Medical Director of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust that 'human milk' produced following 'induced lactation' as 'ideal for infants' is scientifically unproven and constitutes a dangerous escalation in the 'gender' and 'inclusion' narrative.

WRN strongly condemns the latest attempts to normalise the notion that males can sustainably produce the nutritional requirements of an infant. They cannot do so and should not be encouraged to try.

Breastfeeding is a complex biological process. A mother's milk adapts to the changing needs of her baby, providing essential nutrients and antibodies tailored to support the infant's growth and development. 

Colostrum is particularly important in preparing a baby’s gut for life outside the womb. Males do not possess the necessary physiological mechanisms to replicate this process.

Breastfeeding operates on a supply-and-demand basis. A baby's suckling stimulates milk production in the mother. Allowing a male to put a baby to his nipple can disrupt this delicate balance, affecting the mother's milk supply and compromising the infant's nutritional intake.

There exists a disturbing trend among male trans activists who openly use breastfeeding and breast milk fetishism for sexual gratification. This is the most dangerous aspect of a culture that seeks to affirm and validate identities rather than maintaining a sharp focus on the risks to the health and welfare of the baby and the mother. Greater effort should go towards providing support for women who want to breastfeed.

It is the responsibility of all media outlets to do due diligence and report only the facts on this topic, and to use clear language that does not obscure the sex of those being reported. There is insufficient evidence to support male breastfeeding and no research on the effects on the infant.

NHS Trusts have a duty of care to ensure that all published information and reference sources on induced lactation are based on rigorous scientific evidence and priority must be placed on the well-being of the baby.

We appeal to Victoria Atkins MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to intervene, and insist that the NHS provides ethical, factual guidance based on evidence from accepted research.

Heather Binning

Founder, Women’s Rights Network