Bella Ramsey Calls on NHS to Adopt “Chestfeeding” Over “Breastfeeding” in Push for Inclusive Language

LONDON, United Kingdom – In a move that has reignited passionate discussions about language, gender, and parenthood, actor Bella Ramsey has publicly urged the National Health Service (NHS) to replace the term “breastfeeding” with “chestfeeding” in its official guidance and communications.

The 22-year-old star, best known for their roles in Game of Thrones and the critically acclaimed series The Last of Us, made the call during an appearance on a popular parenting and identity-focused podcast released on January 17, 2026. Ramsey, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, argued that the traditional term excludes transgender men, non-binary individuals, and other parents who may lactate and feed their infants but do not identify as women.

Here is Bella Ramsey during a recent red-carpet appearance, embodying the quiet confidence that has made them one of the most respected young voices in entertainment:

“Everyone always talks about how breastfeeding is this beautiful, natural thing—and it is,” Ramsey said in the interview. “But not every parent who can do it is a woman. Trans men, non-binary people, some genderqueer parents—they can produce milk, they can feed their babies directly from their body. Calling it ‘breastfeeding’ can feel alienating or even invalidating for them. ‘Chestfeeding’ is accurate, neutral, and inclusive. It’s a small word change, but it can make a huge difference in someone feeling seen and supported.”

Ramsey went on to emphasize that the suggestion is not about erasing the experience of cisgender women but about expanding the language so that modern parenthood reflects the full diversity of families.

“The NHS already does incredible work supporting new parents,” they continued. “This isn’t about taking anything away from anyone. It’s about adding space so that every family feels welcomed. Language matters—especially when you’re talking about something as vulnerable and intimate as feeding your child.”

The comments quickly spread across social media, with clips from the podcast amassing millions of views within hours.

This screenshot captures one of the many viral moments from the interview where Ramsey passionately explained their reasoning:

Supporters praised the actor for using their platform to advocate for transgender and non-binary parents. LGBTQ+ organizations, including Stonewall and Mermaids, issued statements of solidarity, noting that inclusive language in healthcare settings has been shown to improve mental health outcomes and trust in medical providers among marginalized groups.

Dr. Sarah Clarke, a consultant pediatrician and lactation specialist who works with gender-diverse families, told reporters: “We’ve seen firsthand how the term ‘chestfeeding’ helps trans men feel affirmed and safe when accessing care. It doesn’t diminish anyone else’s experience—it simply acknowledges that bodies and identities are more varied than outdated language sometimes allows.”

However, the proposal has also drawn significant criticism. Many online commentators, parenting influencers, and even some medical professionals argued that changing established terminology is unnecessary, confusing, or an overreach into everyday speech.

A prominent maternity blogger posted: “Breastfeeding is a biological function tied to female anatomy. Trying to rename it to accommodate a tiny minority feels like rewriting reality for the sake of ideology. Most people just want clear, simple guidance when they’re exhausted new parents.”

Others expressed concern that shifting language could alienate cisgender mothers who have fought hard for recognition of breastfeeding rights and support in a society that has historically undervalued it.

This image shows a group of protesters outside an NHS facility holding signs both supporting and opposing the proposed terminology change:

The debate has even reached the halls of Parliament, with several MPs from different parties weighing in. Conservative backbencher Sir Edward Leigh called the suggestion “another example of woke overreach,” while Labour MP Stella Creasy defended the idea, stating: “Healthcare should meet people where they are. If a small linguistic adjustment makes someone feel safer accessing vital services, that’s progress, not politics.”

The NHS itself has not yet issued an official response to Ramsey’s comments, though sources indicate that internal discussions about gender-inclusive language have been ongoing for several years. In 2023, the service quietly updated some maternity resources to include “chestfeeding” as an alternative term in sections addressing transgender and non-binary parents, but the change was not widely publicized or made mandatory across all departments.

This photo shows a typical NHS maternity ward, where questions of language and inclusivity are now being debated at both clinical and policy levels:

Ramsey’s intervention comes at a time when broader societal conversations about gender-neutral and inclusive language continue to evolve. Similar debates have arisen around terms like “pregnant people” instead of “pregnant women,” “birthing parent” instead of “mother,” and “menstruators” in public health campaigns.

Critics argue that such shifts prioritize a small subset of the population at the expense of clarity and tradition. Advocates counter that language is never static—it adapts to reflect changing social realities, just as terms like “firefighter” replaced “fireman” and “flight attendant” replaced “stewardess.”

For Bella Ramsey, the issue is deeply personal. In previous interviews, they have spoken openly about navigating their own gender identity in the public eye and the importance of feeling affirmed in everyday interactions.

“I’m not trying to police how people talk in their own homes,” Ramsey clarified toward the end of the podcast. “I’m talking about official guidance from a public health service that belongs to everyone. When the NHS uses inclusive language, it sends a message: you belong here, your family belongs here, your experience matters.”

As the conversation continues to unfold online and in media outlets, one thing is certain: the simple question of what to call the act of feeding a baby from the chest has become a microcosm of much larger questions about identity, inclusion, tradition, and who gets to decide how we speak about the most intimate parts of human life.

Whether the NHS will adopt “chestfeeding” more broadly remains to be seen. But thanks to Bella Ramsey’s willingness to speak out, the debate is no longer happening behind closed doors.

It is happening in living rooms, hospital wards, and across the entire country.