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Transgender men and lactation: what nurses need to know
Emily Wolfe-Roubatis1, Diane L Spatz
1Emily Wolfe-Roubatis, RN, BSN, BA is a student in the women's health nurse practitioner and midwifery programs at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, in Philadelphia, PA. She can be reached at emwo@nursing.upenn.edu. Diane L. Spatz is a Professor of Perinatal Nursing & Helen M. Shearer Professor of Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing & Nurse Researcher & Manager of the Lactation Program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. The author can be reached via e-mail at spatz@nursing.upenn.edu.
Postpartum transgender men require knowledgeable nursing care for lactation and infant feeding support. Enhanced nursing education is crucial to meet the unique healthcare needs of this population.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Transgender Health
- Lactation and Infant Feeding
Background:
- Limited research exists on the lactation and infant feeding needs of postpartum transgender men.
- Perinatal nursing support for this population is not well-defined in current literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the healthcare needs of postpartum transgender men regarding lactation and infant feeding.
- To identify how perinatal nurses can improve support for transgender men and their families.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative case study approach.
- Exploration of experiences and needs through case examples.
Main Results:
- Transgender men desire knowledgeable care from nurses familiar with transgender healthcare needs.
- Current nursing care often lacks the necessary understanding and sensitivity.
- There is a clear need for improved nursing education on supporting transgender patients.
Conclusions:
- Nurses require specialized education to effectively support transgender men during the postpartum period.
- Optimizing lactation and infant nutrition for transgender men necessitates informed and inclusive perinatal care.
- Addressing knowledge gaps in nursing is essential for equitable postpartum care.
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