A volunteer has claimed she was sacked from her breastfeeding councillor job for using the word “mother” instead of “parent”.
Jasmine Sussex believes she lost the voluntary role at the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) for “excessively” using the word in posts on social media.
Explaining the term “mother”, Ms Sussex said: “95 percent of breastfeeding counsellors use that word.”
She added: “That is our language. We know only women can breastfeed.
Jasmine Sussex lost her role at the Australian Breastfeeding Association
PA
“It is a really small group in the association that are struggling with reality,” she told Radio 2GB.
The ABA has said research suggested that biological men can breastfeed, but Ms Sussex hit back by arguing there was only a “couple of cases” worldwide.
She added to Daily Mail Australia: “ABA says we should support all parents who want to human milk their babies.
“But men shouldn't breastfeed because breastfeeding is for the baby.
Ms Sussex believes "men should've breastfeed"
Anthony Devlin
“Natal males can take feminine hormones to grow breasts. But there is no evidence that any male induced milk is equivalent to mother's milk.
“We have no idea if the substance is even milk. It's absolutely a human experiment on babies.”
Ms Sussex continued: "I’m happy to support how people identify, but sex matters when it comes to birthing and breastfeeding.
"A [biological] man doesn’t have a right to breastfeed a baby, [that desire] it’s a psychological demand.
"Men will never be able to breastfeed babies, and they need to stop trying."
The association, who previously promoted the use of gender-neutral terms, have denied that she was “disciplined for the use of the word mother” or "mum".
A spokeswoman from the ABA added: “The Board has found certain conduct of certain counsellors that contravened its Code of Ethics and Constitution, leading to their resignation as volunteer counsellor.
“It is possible for a person who has never been pregnant (including those who are past menopause or who have never had ovaries), to produce some milk to varying levels. This is called induced lactation.
“We do not advise on the use of medications, or other treatments to build a milk supply, these should be discussed with person’s doctor, as there is the chance of adverse side effects."