LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In a recent press release, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared August as “Breastfeeding Month.” In Whitmer’s announcement, she calls breastfeeding a “racial equity and public health imperative.” But don’t expect to find the words “mom” or “mother” anywhere in the MDHHS press release.
Instead, we’re told to honor “breastfeeding parents” and to celebrate events like “Indigenous Milk Medicine Week.” Although the press release touts the many benefits of breastfeeding, it spends much more time on Gov. Whitmer’s checklist of inclusive words and discusses at length how the state is fixing institutional racism in healthcare to benefit aforementioned breastfeeding parents.
A calendar full of identity themes, but not one for mom.
This year’s Breastfeeding Month includes a buffet of identity-themed weeks:
- World Breastfeeding Week
- Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
- AANHPI Breastfeeding Week
- Black Breastfeeding Week
- Latina/x Breastfeeding Week
Science says breastfeeding is great. Lansing says it’s not just for women.
In the press release, Michigan’s chief medical executive, Natasha Bagdasarian, praises the numerous health benefits of breastfeeding – for both infants and “breastfeeding parents.” But while the science is straightforward, the target of their messaging from the Democrat-led state is anything but clear with the word “mother” not even appearing once.
When cultural engineering meets public health.
While the MDHHS and Michigan’s WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program are introducing expanded resources – including more consultants, additional food options, and extended benefits – the effort is clouded by activist language, focusing heavily on the citing of barriers to families of color and mandating implicit bias training for healthcare providers.
Physician organization pushes inclusive terms.
Michigan is not alone, however, in their shift away from traditional language.The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), a worldwide organization of doctors, in their October 2024 position statement, continues to explicitly encourage gender-inclusive language when referring to those who breastfeed. Some of their replacement terms for “breastfeeding mothers” include “lactating” and “gestational” parents and they recommend using the term “human milk feeding” instead of “breastfeeding.”
In a quote from their position statement, the ABM says, “The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recognizes that not all lactating individuals identify as women. Using gender-inclusive language, however, is not possible in all languages and all countries and for all readers. The position of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is to interpret clinical protocols and position statements within the framework of inclusivity of all breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk-feeding individuals.”
Detroit MD one of the authors of ABM’s position statement.
Most of the medical professionals who contributed to ABM’s position statement are based in the United States, including Dr. Paula Schreck, an MD and Lactation Consultant in Detroit, Michigan. In 2019, she was recognized as “CHEER Champion of the Week” by the Center for Health Equity, Education & Research for her advocacy in maternal and infant health.
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In an interview with Baby-Friendly USA, Schreck emphasized the importance of recognizing implicit bias in maternity care. “Staff also need to pause and make sure that they are not acting under the influence of bias – racial, social or the ‘bias of low expectation,’” she said, adding that Black and brown families are more frequently offered formula than White families.
While the use of inclusive language may reflect current trends in academic and political settings, it may not resonate with all families. Michigan mothers are simply looking for clear support and acknowledgment in their role as mothers. Instead, they’re often met with complex terminology and themed awareness campaigns promoted by the state of Michigan and liberal-leaning organizations.
