Presence of Gender Inclusive Language in Lactation Care Textbooks

Lactation support is crucial, but the specific needs related to breast/chestfeeding among sexual and gender minority (SGM) families have been largely overlooked. The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners standards encompass education on family lifestyles and cultural competency but lack explicit guidance on the use of gendered terms and pronouns and working effectively with SGM patients. This study aimed to assess the state of gender-inclusive language in lactation consultant educational materials, particularly textbooks, and provide recommendations for improved training and textbooks for lactation consultants. A pre-designed, five-point magnitude coding rubric (adapted from Saldana, 2013) was employed to analyze eight textbooks on lactation care. This rubric assessed the inclusivity of SGM people across five categories, with full points for including all SGM and half points for only including sexual minorities. Before 2010, lactational care considerations for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals were largely absent. Over time lactating parents beyond cisgender women in heterosexual relationships have been mentioned in lactation care textbooks more frequently, which reflects larger social trends of increasing social recognition and acceptance of SGM people. We highlight the importance of using gender-inclusive language in lactation consultant educational materials and suggest lactation consultants receive training on gender-inclusive language.