World Doula Week Scholarship 2nd Place: Ollie Knight

Helping Nursing LGBTQ+ Parents to Feel Comfortable and Heard

Ollie Knight, Birth and Postpartum Doula

When I think about alignment in the context of my doula work and training, I can think of no better training for me than that of becoming a certified lactation counselor (CLC). This has been a goal of mine since I was a kid, way before I ever considered becoming a doula. Now that I am a doula, this goal makes even more sense for me to pursue, as I feel it would help me take my doula work to the next level.

As far back as I can remember, I have been a huge advocate for breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom breastfeeding me, since I was breastfed until I was three. My mom is an IBCLC, which meant my older brothers and I were exposed to all things lactation from a young age. While all of us support breastfeeding/chestfeeding, I was the one to really get into my mom’s work. I went to her support groups, I helped out at world breastfeeding week events, and I read the books she owned about lactation. I even nursed my own baby dolls! I learned a lot, both from my mom and from doing my own research. Watching my mom support nursing parents made me passionate about parents being supported in their own feeding journeys, whatever that looks like for them. I knew some day I wanted to help nursing parents too. 

I also knew that not everyone who nurses is a woman. This was amplified for me when I finally came to terms with being trans. Most books about nursing only use terms like woman, mother, and breast, which can make trans parents who are nursing feel dysphoric and left out of the conversation. I aspire to help all nursing parents, but helping nursing LGBTQ+ parents feel comfortable and heard is a big deal to me. Using terms such as chestfeeding, nursing, and parent, can make a huge difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ people, but especially with trans people. I know some people are opposed to using these terms, and would prefer we stick to the gendered terms. However, it does not exclude you to include others. Trans parents, especially chestfeeding trans parents, often are not given the support they need. This is where I feel I would truly shine as a CLC. I would be inclusive and understanding of the different journeys parents go through, and strive to support all different types of families.

Everyone’s feeding journey is unique to them, and deserves compassion and non-judgemental care. While I understand the messages behind phrases such as “fed is best”, I believe it should instead be “supported is best”. I want to support parents to make the choices that are best for them and their baby. Whether my future clients are exclusively breastfeeding/chestfeeding, exclusively pumping, combo feeding, or formula feeding, they should get the help and support they need to feel confident and advocated for.

Ollie is a DONA International trained Birth and Postpartum Doula, with additional training in basic lactation support. Prior to their Doula training, Ollie worked as a nanny for over 10 years, working with children of all ages, but specializing in babies.

Ollie is nonbinary and bisexual, and uses they/them pronouns. They came out as trans in 2019 after a long, but rewarding, gender journey.

Doulas of Capitol Hill shares Ollie’s winning essay on International Transgender Visibility Day in effort to recognize and celebrate all those who have contributed to change over the years, as well as celebrating the trans community of today.