Experiences and meanings of trans men about breastfeeding in light of the Theory of Social Representations.
Danilo Martins Roque Pereira, Leonardo Morjan Britto Peçanha, Ednaldo Cavalcante de Araújo and 5 others
PMID 39443286WHAT IT FOUND
Trans men who breastfed described it as meaningful and emotionally rewarding, but also painful and distressing.
They often hid their bodies, fed only at home, or stopped to resume testosterone.
Key findings
01Participants described breastfeeding as a rewarding affective connection, even when they found it difficult.
02Breast growth, pain and cracked nipples caused distress, and a participant stopped breastfeeding to resume testosterone.
03Some participants avoided public breastfeeding by feeding only at home or using chest compression and bras.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was a small convenience group recruited through LGBT organizations, so it may not represent trans men without those links. Interviews were virtual, so researchers could not observe daily breastfeeding life. The study describes meanings and barriers, not tested effects.
The easy way to misread this
Do not generalise these experiences to all trans men who breastfeed. The study interviewed a small convenience sample recruited through LGBT organizations, and it reports meanings rather than outcomes.