It's Time to Add "Chestfeeding" to Your Vocabulary

We’re all familiar with the term “breastfeeding,” but as a lactation consultant, I believe inclusive language is crucial.

Last month, during my first virtual meeting with a new client, I asked them how they identify and what terms they use to describe their body. Their baby was three weeks old at the time. They were surprised by the question, as none of their other healthcare providers had asked about this since pregnancy. My client shared that they identify as non-binary and refer to their lactating body as their “chest” instead of “breasts.” They blushed and became emotional. As their lactation consultant, I started to wonder if I had overstepped, but it was clear that the emotional reaction was not because I had misstepped—it was because, for the first time, they felt acknowledged. Being recognized in this way reminded them of the countless times they had struggled to express their identity and needs.

Parenting is often heavily skewed toward heterosexual norms, which can leave LGBTQ+ parents feeling overlooked and unwelcome—often unintentionally. A simple, curious question can make a world of difference and help a sleep-deprived new parent feel seen and valued.

What is Chestfeeding?

Good question! Chestfeeding, or bodyfeeding, refers to feeding a baby directly from the body. This term is often used by those who don’t feel comfortable with the word “breasts.” Some people prefer chestfeeding, others use bodyfeeding. Both terms are interchangeable, although many non-binary and transgender individuals, as well as some cisgender women and men, might prefer one over the other.

Some individuals also use “chestfeeding” to refer to feeding through a supplemental nursing system (SNS), which is a feeding tube attached to the nipple.

Why Do I Use “Chestfeeding” or “Bodyfeeding” Alongside “Breastfeeding”?

The short answer is that it allows everyone to feel included. By adding “chestfeeding” or “bodyfeeding” alongside “breastfeeding,” I expand the range of individuals I’m talking to. It ensures that all parents feeding their children this way are acknowledged, not just a specific group. This small action can create huge change. I absolutely don’t want to be the gatekeeper of medical services, and language truly matters here. I strive to let people know I serve anyone who needs infant feeding support.

Who Are Chestfeeders?

Anyone can use this term, but it’s particularly common among non-binary or transgender individuals who may not feel comfortable using the word “breastfeeding” due to gender dysphoria or discomfort with their body. For many, “chestfeeding” feels more neutral than “breastfeeding” or “nursing.” Chestfeeders can also include cisgender women who have complex relationships with their breasts, often due to past trauma, which leads them to use different language to describe their bodies.

Chestfeeding also refers to cisgender men or transgender women who use a feeding tube connected to the nipple to feed babies (whether it’s formula, their partner’s breast milk, or donated milk), or those who are able to lactate and breastfeed. Yes, people assigned male at birth can sometimes breastfeed. Additionally, some parents, like my partner (who had breast surgery), were able to comfort our daughter through non-nutritive sucking.

Why Should I Care?

Becoming a parent is hard. We’ve all been there—and it’s tough! Being a new parent isn’t always fun and often leaves us feeling very vulnerable. Now imagine you’re a new parent, struggling with feeding, feeling panicked, and looking for educational materials and support. When you search online for breastfeeding consultants or support groups, everything you find doesn’t align with your experience. You might feel incredibly isolated, unseen, and unacknowledged. Now, in addition to panicking about your feeding situation and your baby’s health, you may feel like the whole community isn’t welcoming you.

Parents, regardless of how they describe their bodies, should receive expert, relevant support during their most vulnerable moments.

What If I Feel That “Chestfeeding” or “Bodyfeeding” Undermines My Own Breastfeeding Experience?

It’s not about you. If you don’t want to start calling your feeding experience chestfeeding, that’s perfectly fine! You can continue to refer to your experience however you like. No one is trying to take that away from you. But, in discussions about feeding, it’s important to create a welcoming space for everyone. If you’re in a group of parents, why not use language that acknowledges how someone else is experiencing the feeding journey? It shows that you welcome them into the space. Pro tip: Don’t assume someone is a woman just because they look like one. Before making assumptions or failing to use inclusive language, listen to how others describe their own experiences and bodies.

If this is all new to you, that’s okay! I didn’t know all of this at first either.

Why I Care: A Personal Story

I’m a queer mom, but when I met my partner, I had never dated a woman. I wasn’t very familiar with inclusive language and didn’t know much about the history of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Over time, through life experiences, attending LGBTQ2S+ inclusive healthcare training, and listening to personal stories, I have come to better understand, empathize, and stand in solidarity with the community. The queer community has faced (and continues to face) unfair hardships and discrimination, and the last thing they need is to feel overlooked or unwelcome during the already challenging transition from non-parent to parent. It may sound cliché, but learning inclusive language is a journey, not a destination—and I’m still on that journey.

Curiosity is completely okay.

If you’re interested in learning more about the experiences of chestfeeding parents, that’s great! This is the best way to normalize and integrate this concept. Seek out stories from chestfeeding/bodyfeeding parents. Their lived experiences will give you a better sense of what this is about. While I’m a queer lactating mom, an inclusive lactation consultant, and a registered nurse (working in community health), I haven’t personally experienced this myself. So, listening to the narratives of parents who have lived through this will help you understand their reality better.

You might find—spoiler alert—that they have a lot in common with you. All parents are tired. We all look forward to when our kids finally fall asleep at 8 p.m. We all dread doing the dishes. We’re all doing our best. Chestfeeding parents are just like you—they just use different terms to describe how they feed their babies. And that’s perfectly okay.