NHS trust that spread ‘misinformation’ with claim trans women could breastfeed as well as new mothers makes U-turn under pressure

An NHS Trust that spread ‘misinformation’ by claiming transgender women could breastfeed as effectively as new mothers has performed a U-turn after outrage from campaigners.

A leaked letter this year from the medical director of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust had suggested that milk produced by trans women – who are born male – with the help of powerful drugs was ‘comparable to that produced [by women] following the birth of a baby’.

The letter was a response to complaints about guidelines drawn up by the Trust, which advised that trans women ‘may be able to induce lactation’.

But amid mounting pressure to review the controversial policies, the Trust now insists its guidance was never intended to encourage trans women to ‘chestfeed’.

Officials at the Trust say the guidelines were aimed at helping a ‘small number’ of lesbian women who may want to breastfeed to support their female partners who give birth. 

It said: ‘The Trust is not aware of any instances where trans women/biological men have expressed a wish to be helped to feed their partner’s child.’

But last night Helen Joyce, of the campaign group Sex Matters, said it was ‘disturbing’ that it had taken the Trust so long ‘to reveal that staff at UH Sussex do, in fact, know that men can’t breastfeed’.

Milli Hill, a campaigner for women’s rights, said: ‘The false information puts babies at risk.’

A leaked letter appeared to claim transgender women might be able to induce lactation and breastfeed (Stock Image) 

A leaked letter this year from the medical director of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust had suggested that milk produced by trans women with the help of powerful drugs was ‘comparable to that produced [by women] following the birth of a baby’

The letter was a response to complaints about guidelines drawn up by the Trust, which advised that trans women ‘may be able to induce lactation’

The row began last year after guidance created by the Trust, and since deleted, said some parents ‘may wish to participate in feeding their infants using their own bodies’ even if they did not give birth.

It said that ‘trans women…may also be able to induce lactation to some extent’. But critics say there is very little robust evidence about the quality or safety of such milk.

The Trust also referenced a study which found milk produced from ‘induced lactation’ had ‘no observable side effects’ in babies. But now, it appears, it no longer stands by the claims.

Emma Thomas, founder of Children of Transitioners, which supports people whose parents change gender and which initially complained about the guidance, said: ‘We have no idea how many CoT babies worldwide have been harmed as a result [of this].’