A best-selling book for mothers on how to nurse their babies could be updated to remove the words ‘womanly’ and ‘breastfeeding’ from its title.
Since 1958 when it was published first by La Leche League (LLL), The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding became a popular guide for mothers.
The title of the charity, which is breastfeeding charity, is being considered for change. Critics fear that it is an effort to placate transgender lobbyists.
It comes after the Royal College of Midwives last week apologised for referring to mothers as ‘post-natal people’ in guidance on how to help newborns sleep better. Later, the reference was removed from its website.
A best-selling book for mothers on how to nurse their babies could be updated to remove the words ‘womanly’ and ‘breastfeeding’ from its title (stock image)
Ahead of publishing the ninth edition of the book, LLL has launched a survey among volunteer ‘leaders’ of its breastfeeding support groups.
It says translations for many overseas versions have already changed the title to ‘better reflect local culture’ – and it asks volunteers for their views on the removal of ‘womanly’ and ‘breastfeeding’.
LLL has previously used the term ‘chestfeeding’ as an alternative to ‘breastfeeding’ on its website.
The move comes amid growing unease that women are being ‘erased’ by organisations set up to support mothers amid pressure from transgender activists to use gender neutral language.
Retired LLL leader Lisa Moro said: ‘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. All mothers could understand these words easily.
‘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.’
Since 1958 when it was published first by La Leche League (LLL), The Womanly Art of breastfeeding has grown to be a popular guide for mothers. Stock image
Another LLL leader, who asked not to be named, said she had complained to the board of the organisation that volunteers who use terms such as ‘woman’, ‘mother’ and ‘breast’ were being excluded by some breastfeeding groups.
‘The board turned a blind eye enabling the targeted vilification, harassment and bullying of volunteers who disagreed with using desexed and de-feminised language in breastfeeding support,’ she said.
An LLL spokeswoman said: ‘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.’