US health officials faced criticism today for failing to highlight the health risks to infants when advocating that trans women can breastfeed. Information pages on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website seemingly endorse the practice of “chestfeeding” by trans and non-binary parents. However, doctors have argued that the CDC should disclose the lack of research and potential risks associated with medications used to induce lactation in trans women, as one such medication has been linked to heart problems in babies. The CDC has yet to respond to these concerns.
The controversy surrounding this topic was sparked by trans women who are able to produce breastmilk by taking hormone drugs that mimic the changes a woman’s body experiences during and after pregnancy. However, the use of these drugs can have potential risks, including irregular heartbeats in infants. Furthermore, the lack of research and long-term effects of these medications on babies remains unknown.
Dr. Jane Orient, executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, argues that the CDC is neglecting its responsibility to discuss the health risks associated with breastfeeding in trans women. She criticizes the agency for blurring the lines between politics and science by promoting the off-label use of drugs for politically approved purposes.
The CDC’s website contains information promoting the idea that an individual does not need to have given birth to breastfeed or chestfeed. The guidance also suggests that healthcare providers should be familiar with medical, emotional, and social aspects of gender transitions to provide optimal care for these families.
Despite claims that breast milk produced by trans women is comparable to that produced by biological women, Dr. Stuart Fischer argues that induced lactation cannot truly replicate the natural process. He points out the lack of research into the impact on babies and emphasizes the need for further investigation in this emerging field.
The Newman-Goldfarb protocol is a method used to induce lactation in both biological women who have adopted or had a child through surrogacy and trans women. It involves a combination of hormone drugs, physical stimulation, and medications to mimic pregnancy and birth. However, these drugs have potential side effects and are not approved for boosting milk production in the US.
Experts have called for more research into the long-term health impacts of trans women breastfeeding on both infants and trans women themselves. The current limited research mainly consists of individual case studies, making it difficult to draw broader conclusions. While the composition of breast milk produced by trans women may resemble that of mature breast milk, the absence of colostrum, a vital component for newborns, is a concern.
In summary, the CDC’s endorsement of trans women breastfeeding has raised concerns among medical professionals. The lack of research and potential risks associated with the medications used to induce lactation in trans women, as well as the long-term health impacts on infants and trans women, remain unknown. Further investigation and caution are necessary in this emerging field.
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