Brighton and Sussex hospitals have recently unveiled their new gender inclusive terms like ‘human milk.’ Human milk can only come from the breast of a human. The term breast milk does not deny anyone’s gender, it merely reiterates that milk comes from the breast of a human. While I understand the need for hospitals to implement gender neutral terms such as ‘birthing parents’ instead of mother and father as we cannot assume the gender of those in the hospital, the term breast milk is unnecessary as it was never gendered in the first place. The breast is the part of the human body which produces milk, to avoid this term is avoiding scientific fact. Milk cannot be derived from anywhere else.

The change from 'breast milk' to 'human milk' is less of a scientific debate and more of a linguistic one. The phrase 'breast milk', accurate or not, usually brings the connotation of the female gender. And so the introduction of the term 'human milk' is not a focus on biological accuracy but instead identity inclusivity. This is becoming increasingly necessary as there is more focus on the need to accept trangender and non-binary parents, not just in a theoretical sense but in a practical and therefore linguistic one. Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust are examples of places that are enforcing the term 'human milk' along with neutral terms such as 'birthing parents'. This is all 'in a drive to stamp out 'mainstream transphobia''. Elsewhere, in the US, the situation is similar as the Illinois mother and Lactation Expert Jill Aspinwall has started to implement terminology such as 'human milk' or 'chest milk' to 'create a more comfortable atmosphere for transgender parents as well as non-binary parents'. Of course, scientifically, both genders have breast tissue which overlies the chest/ pectoral muscle, however women's breasts are made of specialised tissue that produces milk. Therefore, although 'breast milk' is not technically a gendered word in the same way that 'mother' or 'woman' is, it is the association with females that is important meaning the introduction of the term 'human milk' is a healthy way to ensure inclusivity with both transgender and non-binary people. Pandey, Kirti. (2021) 'Breastfeeding and the debate over gender-inclusive terms: Human milk, chest milk or breast milk?', *Times Now News*. Available at: https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/article/breastfeeding-and-the-debate-over-gender-inclusive-terms-human-milk-chest-milk-or-breast-milk/721581

**Is the term ‘human milk’ more inclusive?** • Several medical institutions, such as Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals’ prenatal department, have recently swapped the term ‘breast milk’ for [‘human milk’](https://www.good.is/health-professionals-are-switching-the-term-breast-milk-for-chest-milk-to-be-more-inclusive) in order to be inclusive of transgender men and non-binary parents giving birth. • For many, the word ‘breast’ is heavily associated with women. Some consider ‘breast milk’ and ‘breastfeeding’ to be linguistically alienating and exclusionary of transgender men and non-binary people giving birth. • Many have commended this change, and believe that it will enable more pregnant transgender fathers and non-binary parents to have a [better birthing experience](https://www.today.com/health/trans-parents-say-medical-system-isn-t-set-their-pregnancies-t218691). Some believe that the change might encourage more transgender and non-binary people to choose to give birth in hospital. • Others argue that ‘breasts’ are not exclusively feminine as every body has [breast tissue](https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/article/breastfeeding-and-the-debate-over-gender-inclusive-terms-human-milk-chest-milk-or-breast-milk/721581) – some proponents of this view therefore argue that this linguistic choice is unnecessary. • Some people criticise this change, as they fear that it decentres women from narratives around giving birth.