CERP: yes
Every parent deserves the opportunity to breastfeed – even if that parent did not birth their baby. And as professionals, it is important to recognize that these parents will come to us with some unique needs and circumstances. They are likely to have health histories that are different than gestational parents. They may have difficult feelings about their path to parenthood or a non-conforming gender identity. The timing of their baby’s arrival may be unknown until weeks or days beforehand. They may be sharing the breastfeeding/chestfeeding relationship with a partner. They can expect to need to supplement their milk production. And of course, they won’t have the hormones of pregnancy to initiate lactation. Understanding as best we can the unique needs of these extraordinary parents can go a long way towards being an inclusive lactation practice.
