Lactation for the Rest of Us

by Jacob Engelsman

Can I lactate if I've had top surgery?
When can I restart taking testosterone?
Where do I start with donor milk?
Finally, a book about lactation not geared exclusively towards cisgender women! Lactation for the Rest of Us is an early addition to the literature for queer and trans people who have seen themselves left out of previous informative books on chestfeeding and lactation. Useful information is included for transmasculine parents, transfeminine parents, non-binary parents, queer parents, helpers, adoptive parents, and even cisgender male parents. Covering the induction of lactation, difficulties one may encounter with chestfeeding, expert advice, and first-person testimonials, this is the book the queer parenting community has been waiting for.

Genres: Queer

176 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2025

Reviews

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for, quite literally, everyone. As we expand the options for parenthood for all identities, queer and trans folks included, this book is the perfect guide to chestfeeding. It encompasses both universal questions (how do I get started? how do I know things are working?) but also questions that may be specific to queer and trans parents (can I lactate if I’ve had top surgery?) The author does a fantastic job at making sure the language is inclusive, the data is cited, and all questions are answered. This book will be helpful for queer and trans parents, their helpers, medical professionals, and even lactation consultants looking to expand their services to the queer community and not just the cis-females in heteronormative relationships like most other lactation resources presume. I’m so glad that this book exists for the rest of us. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

Many thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers & Adrian Shanker for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

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[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to receive an advance copy of this book. An essential for all in the lactation field.

As an inpatient IBCLC and member of the LGBTQ+ community, this book is a must and fills a huge need for both professional, but also all people taking the step of becoming a parent. We've made strides on this topic in recent years but this adds an in measurable resource. For professionals it provides insight and ideas for care plans. For lactating people, it provides options in a simple to understand format. It brings me joy to know this resource is out there for parents who do not have access to a safe lactation professional. One day I hope that will be the norm, but this will provide some relief until then.

[Adrian Shanker · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Lactation for the Rest of US, Jacob Engelsman provides a valuable addition to the literature about queer and trans health and bodily autonomy!

[Elizabeth Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engelsman’s book combines both professional and personal experiences with published, scholarly literature to create a practical, evidence-based resource for those interested in chest-feeding. The book most obviously provides valuable information and advice for members of the queer community, who are painfully underrepresented in other resources. However, the book also offers information for adoptive parents and cis-gender males. For those who need it for personal reasons or any researcher interested in this topic and target population, I think this a great and useful book.