Thread by @LLLGB

For the first session today @DrKarleenG is speaking about Effective communication: the importance of sexed language. 2022 paper Effective Communication About Pregnancy, Birth, Lactation, Breastfeeding and Newborn Care frontiersin.org/articles/10.33… #bfconf

.@DrKarleenG has done work in child protection cases, and cases of adoption, foster care, asylum seekers where language has been used to marginalise mothers. Through her work on lactation for adoptive mothers she has also worked with surrogate mothers #bfconf

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG "when the rights of the mother are undermined, so are the rights of the child" #bfconf

.@DrKarleenG during the covid19 pandemic mothers and babies were separated on a scale never seen before. Paper published early on nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/…. Babies much less likely to be exclusively breastfed when separated #bfconf

.@DrKarleenG what is the cost of that separation? #NigelRollins who spoke yesterday published thelancet.com/journals/langl… estimating 188-273k infant deaths due to lack of breastfeeding from separation for covid19, nearly 100x deaths than from covid #bfconf

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG Established sexed meanings: Woman = female person, Mother = female parent. New gendered meanings: Woman = person with a gender identity of woman, Mother = parent with a gender identity of woman #bfconf

.@DrKarleenG: principles of communication about sex: Sex should be made visible when relevant. When not relevant (ex don't have to be male to work in construction), gendered language should be avoided. This is to avoid sex stereotyping & ensure sex-based needs are not overlooked

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG When we replaced breastfeeding with lactation the focus as bf as relational & requiring accomodation for maternal-infant proximity is lost. Society might only support mothers to express, not keep babies & mothers together #bfconf

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG other issues: people are included who should be excluded (ex. fathers, other family members are not breastfeeding) & facilitates errors, imprecision and confusion (ex. too many people captured in less precise definitions) #bfconf

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG: it's important to give inclusivity statements ex those of @scotgov's Woman's Health Plan & @NICEComms guidelines for Postnatal Care #bfconf

.@DrKarleenG Desexed language holds same pattern as language used to marginilise "unworthy" mothers: by removing mother altogether, by inserting a qualifying term, by referring to body parts or processes #bfconf

.@DrKarleenG Women's breastfeeding rights can be obscured. Women and children have breastfeeding rights, need support. By using the word families we may be overlooking the fact that families often hinder breastfeeding #bfconf

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG Conclusions: different approaches to describing women & mothers may be applicable in different contexts & for different purposes. Clarity in terminology, clear communication & avoiding confusion of terms is important. When sex is meant refer to sex...

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG conclusions cont. When gendered expectation of the sexes is meant, use gender and define it clearly. When gender identity is mean, ensure it is distinguished from both gendered expectations of the sexes and sex itself #bfconf

.@DrKarleenG the paper from the start frontiersin.org/articles/10.33… is full of examples. Know why you are using the language you are using. How can you be clear? How can you avoid dehumanising language? #bfconf

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG How can you include the people who should be included and exclude the ones who should be excluded? How can you ensure that people understand what is being meant & can see themselves? When should compromises be made & how can you mitigate against downsides? #bfconf

@DrKarleenG .@DrKarleenG
is available to chat on Twitter & email. "We can only find solutions if we have conversations" #bfconf

LLLGB live tweeted @DrKarleenG's session in the same way as we did for other #bfconf sessions This is not an endorsement of the content of this session We use inclusive language & support all mothers & parents however they identify We are sorry that our tweets have caused offence

@DrKarleenG This is our Equity and Representation Policy laleche.org.uk/equity-and-rep…

@DrKarleenG This is the @lalecheleague international policy around language llli.org/about/policies…

@DrKarleenG @lalecheleague

https://twitter.com/lalecheleague/status/1595774280276795392

LLLGB live tweeted @DrKarleenG's session in the same way as we did for other #bfconf sessions This is not an endorsement of the content of this session We use inclusive language & support all mothers & parents however they identify We are sorry that our tweets have caused offence