Last month, in my first virtual meeting with a new client, I asked them how they identify and what they call their anatomy. Their baby was three weeks old. They were surprised I even asked them, because ever since conceiving, all of their other healthcare providers have failed to do so at each opportunity. The client shared that they identify as non-binary and refer to their feeding anatomy as their chest (not their breasts). They then got a bit flushed and choked up, and I began to think, as their lactation consultant, Maybe I messed up. But no, as it turns out, this parent was getting emotional because they finally felt seen, for the first time. Being acknowledged in this way brought up the pain of the countless times they weren?t able to express themselves, their identity and their needs. The parenting sphere can be wildly heteronormative, which can make queer parents feel invisible and unwelcome, over and over again?often unintentionally. Simply by being curious and asking two super simple questions, I made someone?s experience as a sleep-deprived new parent a hell of a lot more meaningful.
I know that breast/chest/bodyfeeding may not roll off the tongue, but the story above illustrates why this language revamp is vital. 
So wait, what is chestfeeding"
Good question! Chestfeeding or bodyfeeding can refer to feeding your baby milk directly from your body. This term is used by people who don?t identify their anatomy with the term ?breast.? Some people prefer to s...