Art of Breastfeeding book reviews use of ‘womanly’
‘I was concerned to see there is a question over the words “woman”, “breastfeeding” and, at other times, “mother”’
THE Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a book that has offered advice to new mothers since its publication in 1958, but the terminology in its title is under review.
The campaign group La Leche League, which created the book 63 years ago, is now surveying volunteers on the continued use of terms such as “womanly” and “breastfeeding”.
The charity has already used alternative, gender-neutral terminology such as “chestfeeding” on its website, The Mail on Sunday has reported.
Such “gender-inclusive language” has been adopted by other healthcare organisations, including the Brighton NHS Trust, which has introduced terms such as “birthing parent” as an alternative to “mother”.
The move also comes after the Royal College of Midwives apologised for using the term “postnatal people” in place of “mothers” in a guide to help newborns sleep.
A La Leche League spokesman said of the potential changes to The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: “The title of the book will be an important aspect of the marketing strategy aimed at ensuring the book reaches as wide an audience as possible.
“The survey was... to give its volunteers the opportunity to have their voices heard.”
But there are fears that the move to consult on the title of the book could be acceding to activism, which some critics have claimed is “erasing” women.
Retired La Leche League leader Lisa Moro told The Mail on Sunday: “I was very concerned to see there is a question over the words ‘woman’, ‘breastfeeding’ and, at other times, ‘mother’ as these are the core of what the organisation is about. These words were very plain and easy for all mothers to understand.
“The only reason I can see for this proposed change is to perform virtue signalling and appease some of the more extreme elements of transgender activism.”
The book offers advice on everything from how to nurse after a caesareansection or delivery complications to how mothers can enjoy the connection with their baby.