Kindred Bravely Shares Support for LGBTQI+ Parents

Maternity and nursing brand, Kindred Bravely showed support for LGBTQI+ parents by encouraging followers by using the term chestfeeding, which is defined as the process of feeding a child human milk from a person’s chest. It's is a term that can be used by anyone, but often is used by transgender and nonbinary people for whom the words breastfeeding or nursing are not an ideal fit.

Here are a few examples of individuals who may choose to chestfeed:

A transgender man may choose to use the term chestfeeding if they had surgery to remove breast tissue. A small study done in 2017 found that this was the most frequently cited reason for preferring the term chestfeeding.

A non-binary person (someone who does not identify as having a particular gender) may not be comfortable using the terms breastfeeding or nursing. Chestfeeding is a neutral term that may feel more comfortable.

A cisgender woman (a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth) may have experienced breast-related trauma and feels better using a more neutral term.

A common question is whether or not transgender people can produce milk. Transgender people can produce milk, or lactate. All humans have breasts, mammary glands and the hormones needed to produce milk. For some people, it may be relatively easy to produce milk, while some people will need medical support to induce lactation. Transgender men may or may not have had surgeries and hormone therapies, but lactation is possible.

Transgender women may also be able to lactate with the support of medications and pumping. Medical care is usually needed, as the medications require prescriptions and do have potential side effects that people should be aware of.

Is chestfeeding the best option for you?

While breastfeeding and bottle feeding are widely accepted terms and methods, it’s important to understand that the term and preferred method that parents use for their child is entirely up to them. There are many people who choose to use the word chestfeeding as an empowering term to take control of their bodies during a life event which is deeply rooted in traditional gender norms that not all people identify with. It’s important to embrace these new terms in order to support these parents to feel as comfortable as possible during their parenting journey.

People choose to provide human milk to their babies for any number of reasons: biological benefits and bonding, just to name a few. What they call that process is entirely up to them.

Not only are LGBTQI+ parents struggling internally with the heavily stereotypical gender characteristics set in place for parenting, but they also find it difficult to find maternity and nursing clothes that fit their preferred style and comfort level. Kindred Bravely co-founder, Deeanne Akerson noticed this issue and found an opportunity to create these pieces that nursing parents would find to be comfortable, because taking care of and getting to know your new baby should be a priority for all new parents.

There are many brands who support LGBTQI+ parents, ensuring that their pieces are made for all people. Kindred Bravely makes comfort and confidence a priority in their line, supporting parents from pregnancy to nursing and beyond, the brand hopes to help families reach their feeding goals, and understands that each family has their own unique journey.

Ultimately, all parents want the same thing: For our children to be healthy and grow under our care. There are a million ways to do that. When it comes to feeding our children, let's continue to learn, respect and welcome all the choices. Our babies are depending on it.

Check out Kindred Bravely’s nursing line here and see how you can support LGBTQI+ families via PFLAG.