Inclusive Lactation Support for LGBTQ Parents

By on June 16, 2022

Featured image for: Inclusive Lactation Support for LGBTQ Parents

At Milk Stork, we talk a lot about diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s top of mind for the 870+ companies we work with that know breast milk shipping is more than just a “nice-to-have”—it can make a world of a difference for work travel or parents planning their return from parental leave.

When it comes to inclusive family benefits, most people talk about fertility benefits and paid parental leave. But all too often, surrogacy and adoption are missing from the conversation.

No one knows this better than LGBTQ couples ready to start a family, only to find out that their company’s fertility coverage has limited use cases, denying them access to their own family benefits.

We believe that a family is a family, no matter how you build it. No two journeys to parenthood are the same, and that’s why Milk Stork advocates for employers to expand their inclusive family benefits by offering breast milk shipping.

 

The foundation of diversity, equity, and inclusion is about seeing people, understanding their experience, and supporting them to be the people they want to be.

 

When companies offer free breast milk shipping for their employees, they also support LGBTQ parents by giving them access to more feeding choices. These feeding options include:

  1. Breast/chestfeeding.
  2. Inducing lactation in one or both parents.
  3. Milk supplied by the gestational surrogate or birth parent
  4. Milk sharing or donation
  5. Formula

Most LGBTQ parents opt for a combination of feeding options that best suits their family’s needs, usually supplementing with formula. And as we saw with the recent formula crisis, having access to multiple feeding options is more important now than ever.

Broadening the scope of family benefits means that employers are able to meet the needs of a more diverse talent pool, which also makes it easier to attract and retain top talent.

For more transgender and non-binary lactation resources and support from La Leche League International, click here.

Related Articles

Milk Stork Selected as a Good Housekeeping 2023 Best Parenting Awards Winner
9/13/23
Press, Pumping & Feeding

Milk Stork Selected as a Good Housekeeping 2023 Best Parenting Awards Winner

The Company’s Best Selling Breast Milk Shipping Service is Offered as a Family-Friendly Employee Benefit Through 850+ Companies Across the U.S. PALO ALTO, CA – September 12, 2023 – Milk Stork today announced that the Pump & Ship was named as a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Best Parenting Awards. The full list of awards can be found on goodhousekeeping.com/parentingawards2023. Milk Stork’s original, refrigerated breast milk shipping solution makes it easy for pumping parents to overnight their breast milk home…

What You Need to Know About Milk-Sharing During the Formula Shortage
5/23/22
Pumping & Feeding, Current News

What You Need to Know About Milk-Sharing During the Formula Shortage

In light of the formula shortage, more parents are turning to peer-to-peer milk sharing. The nutritional benefits of breast milk are unparalleled, but if you’re not careful, the risk of milk sharing may outweigh the benefits. Unlike milk banks, which conduct extensive health screenings on donors and serve fragile and ill babies most in need of human milk, peer-to-peer milk sharing is informal and unregulated. So, while it might be more accessible to parents, it is not without risk. Understanding…

Planning for Parenthood in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide to Health Insurance, Workplace Benefits, and Parental Leave
12/4/23
Family Health

Planning for Parenthood in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide to Health Insurance, Workplace Benefits, and Parental Leave

As 2023 winds down, many families and parents-to-be are looking ahead to next year. If you're hoping to expand your family in 2024, a little planning can go a long way to ensure a smooth transition. The checklist is long, so we've put together a handy guide to help you properly plan and prep all the aspects of new parenthood. Let's dive in! Before Parental Leave 1. Understand Your Health Insurance Coverage Pregnancy and NICU Services: Begin by reviewing your…

Back to Top