Exclusive:Council launches probe into Queer Milk chestfeeding group after safeguarding concerns
The taxpayer-funded Queer Milk’s support for “chestfeeding” transwomen has caused controversy
A council is investigating the nature of a publicly-funded group that offers to support biological men to “chestfeed” babies.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing runs a weekly Edinburgh-based session dubbed Queer Milk to help those “breastfeeding, chestfeeding or giving human milk to their baby”.
Concerns have been raised about the charity’s advocacy for “chestfeeding”, a process that allows male-bodied people to produce a milk-like substance after hormone treatment.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing receives hundreds of thousands of pounds every year from the Scottish government, NHS and councils.
Yet it has consistently declined to respond to press queries and so has not clarified the exact nature of the group and who attends.
However, an expert social worker and others have raised concerns with City of Edinburgh Council about child safeguarding.
The head of service for children and education at the council has now confirmed “conversations” are being had with the charity to identify and investigate issues.
In response to a letter from a senior social worker, Amanda Hatton, Corporate Director for children and education, said: “I have ensured the relevant professionals are taking this forward.”
Maggie Mellon, a social worker who worked for the charities Children 1st and Action for Children, wrote to Ms Hatton to raise safeguarding concerns.
She also made a formal report of a child protection concern through Edinburgh Health and Social Care, asking that the group was investigated, and the men and any infant children were identified, along with who has parental rights and responsibilities for them.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokeswoman said: “Conversations are ongoing with partner agencies and any concerns or issues identified will be investigated.”
Advocates for chestfeeding say the practice is safe and can mimic the benefits of mothers breastfeeding.
Hard evidence is scarce and the practice is generally seen as experimental.
The charity says its Queer Milk group welcomes those “breastfeeding, chestfeeding or giving human milk to their baby in any amount … no matter what your feeding journey looks like”.
The terminology used to promote the sessions makes clear that transgender women are welcome.
“Human milk” is the preferred term in some LGBT spaces because it is seen as more inclusive than “breast milk”.
Ms Mellon said: “My concerns are that manifestly, men cannot breast feed and there is no nutritional benefit to the children concerned.
“There is no benefit to the children and some clear evidence of serious risk.
“Men who would put their own needs first in this way are not acting in the child's best interests.
“If they are parents then this is a breach of their parental rights and responsibilities and a red flag about what other risks and harms they might expose the children to.”
Scottish Trans Alliance, a taxpayer-funded lobbying group, has also claimed men can breastfeed.
Following last year’s Supreme Court judgment on sex and gender, the group argued the ruling meant transwomen who could breastfeed could lose pregnancy and maternity rights.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing reported income of £1.15 million in 2024-25.
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The Scottish government provided the charity with £262,000 and NHS Lothian gave £252,000.
The charity received a further £230,000 from the Glasgow Health and Social and Social Care Partnership and Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, which includes City of Edinburgh Council.
Almost £900,000 was spent on salaries and pension contributions for its 27 staff.
A Scottish government spokesman said: “Funding provided to organisations through the Equality and Human Rights Fund is for specific, agreed activities.
“We do not provide funding for lactation services through this fund.”
“The council has provided grant funding to LGBTQ Health and Wellbeing for core costs since 2025 as part of a resilience funding agreement to support the third sector,” the City of Edinburgh Council spokeswoman added.
"No funding has been provided for specific services offered by this organisation.”
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