By Uyen T.
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week this year, New Beginnings is featuring stories from three individuals who support lactating families in an AANHPI language (or more than one!). We hope you will enjoy reading their experiences.
Uyen’s experiences counseling and translating breastfeeding materials in Vietnamese
I work with the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program. At our clinics, the majority of families communicate in Spanish and English, and a small percentage speak Vietnamese and various other languages. In my role as a lactation consultant, I provide counseling in English and occasionally inVietnamese. I also translate breastfeeding and social media materials into Vietnamese for various organizations.
Explaining lactation science and breastfeeding in Vietnamese can be difficult, either because technical terms are hard to find and to translate accurately or due to a lack of specific vocabulary. For example, “reverse pressure softening” and “biological nurturing” are techniques that are not commonly practiced or easily found mentioned in Vietnamese breastfeeding resources; therefore, the terms are nonexistent, and translating word-for-word can be awkward. Even seemingly straightforward terms, like “positioning,” “latching,” “engorgement,” and the names of various breastfeeding positions may require research to ensure meaningful translation. It can take a lot of verbal descriptions and even the use of body language to convey the intended meaning effectively.
The architecture of the English language makes it very concise and straight to the point. Therefore, translating word-for-word from English into a language like Vietnamese that requires more context can make conversations sound very stiff and even strange. To convey the message clearly and effectively, it is important to understand the cultural context, to have a good grasp of the spoken language, and to be flexible so as to modify the sentence structure and rephrase the idea in a way that softens the meaning and makes it more relatable. For example, the English expression “You can’t put your baby to the breast too much” might be translated into Vietnamese as “The more often you put your baby on your breast, the better it is,” making the expression more fluid and fitting. Similarly, “breastfeeding” is translated as “nuôi con bằng sữa mẹ” or “raising a child with mother’s milk” which offers a broader context and longer-term view.
Additionally, achieving inclusivity in Vietnamese can be extremely difficult. Vietnamese pronouns are specific to sex and gender, age, social and familial ranking and role, as well as the relationship between individuals in a conversation. The translations for terms such as “the birthing parent” or “chestfeeding” into Vietnamese are nonexistent at this time. More significantly, the specific pronouns used by individuals not related by blood are largely defined by their gender and age. In turn, they define the power balance within the conversation. This can also subtly shift the dynamic of the parent-and-support-person relationship.
What is also so remarkable—and something I often take for granted—is the way Vietnamese people specifically, and East and Southeast Asians in general, receive compliments. In breastfeeding and lactation support, we are trained to give frequent praise as a form of reassurance that things are going well and to help boost parental confidence. However, out of modesty, many Asians tend to deflect or reject compliments. When someone praises us, we often respond with something like, “No, that’s not good enough,” even if we’ve worked hard or done well. Spiritually, it is considered taboo to give praise to a young child—or even worse, for the child to receive such praise—as it is believed to startle the child’s spirit, potentially leading to misfortune or illness. Parents may even give their young children odd or humble nicknames to avoid attracting the attention of spirits or the gods. So, instead of offering direct praise, we may show empathy and acknowledge the parent’s effort. We might let them know that things are progressing in the right direction and that there is no specific cause for concern.
An unexpected aspect of providing support to the Vietnamese families for me is the sense of responsibility and heavy investment, almost as if there would be too much to lose if I didn’t give it all. This feeling may come from knowing the deep history and the narratives of our own people, which gives me a sense that I can anticipate their pattern. However, I must consciously take a step back to acknowledge and support each individual’s unique goals and purposes with respect.
As complex as it may sound, counseling in a non-English language is certainly not impossible. The art of counseling definitely happens beyond the words. Understanding the cultural context, interpersonal relationship, way of life, and our shared history and lived experiences can be a great advantage. Using English, I can be much more technical in explaining breastfeeding and lactation. Yet it is an acquired skill, requiring a conscious effort, to offer emotional support and reassurance when counseling in English. In Vietnamese, however, I find it much more instinctive to set aside the textbooks and just have a natural dialogue between two individuals discussing “raising a child with mother’s milk.”
Grace’s learned lessons about Chinese translations
When I worked for WIC as a Breastfeeding Coordinator and Supervisor for the Peer Counseling Program, I interacted with diverse colleagues and participants, including a large number of Chinese immigrant families.
Part of my work was to review the State WIC’s translated breastfeeding booklets and pamphlets in Chinese and to help translate educational materials into Chinese. I know that word-for-word translation from English into Chinese generally results in awkwardness and senselessness to the Chinese audience.
Difficulties for translators and interpreters are compounded with the complexity of the Chinese language. Although there is one written language, there are two versions of writing: the traditional and the simplified forms. Words and phrases can be different between different countries and regions, too. A prime example would be: NICU is phrased differently in Taiwan (新生兒加護病房 xīn shēng ér jiā hù bìng fang), Hong Kong (新生兒深切治療部 sūn saāng yì sam1 chit3 ji6 liù bou6), and in mainland China (新生兒重症監護室 xīn shēng ér zhòng zhèng jiān hù shì). It’s important to know where your client is from.
When I counseled participants in Chinese, I learned to first get to know my clients, then process the material in Cantonese or Mandarin, and subsequently convey the content from English into the client’s language. Counseling and learning is an interaction, not a one-way experience. I would engage the audience according to their needs and experiences, rather than follow my own agenda and goal. Humility is important.
Even now, whenever I need to confirm or further comprehend certain breastfeeding terms in Chinese, I explore breastfeeding organizations in different countries that use Chinese as their main language.
Last but not least, I plead with colleagues who are tasked with translating, interpreting, or counseling on any matters about lactation in Chinese, not to be shy to ask and always be humble. When it comes to the names of breastfeeding aids/equipment, it is helpful to look outside of the U.S. for the proper names in Chinese. It makes your work so seamless and organic, and most importantly, enables you to give your clients the most meaningful information.
Wendy’s stories of providing lactation education
I have been working at the Public Health Foundation Enterprises (PHFE) Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for over a decade. I began my journey at WIC as a Registered Dietitian. One of the core services WIC offers is to provide breastfeeding education. As a new staff member, I often had to ask my supervisor for Chinese language breastfeeding education materials. Fortunately, we have a small team that speaks Mandarin and Cantonese—two major Chinese dialects.
The absence of language-appropriate materials and culturally relevant images can make lactation education less engaging and effective. To help fill this gap, I volunteered to translate many of our materials into Chinese.
Families feel more at ease seeking help when we share common experiences, culture, and practices. It’s important to remember that equity in lactation involves more than just providing materials in the right language—it also requires comprehensive, culturally informed care and support.
There is a need for us to discuss and debrief, to ask questions and share our experiences, and to get reassurance and advice from other AANHPI support people. This collaborative approach is important for us to continue to grow in our capacities as providers, supporters, and community members.
This year, the theme for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding Week (August 15-21, 2025) is “Diverse Voices, One Vision”. “We recognize that while our communities are unique, we share the same vision of safe pregnancies, healthy babies, and thriving families”. We invite you to stay connected with us for updates on upcoming events and initiatives. More importantly, whether you identify as part of the AANHPI communities, support AANHPI breastfeeding families, or stand as an ally, we encourage you to be part of this important conversation. Our goal is to build a welcoming and inclusive space where AANHPI communities can thrive, reproductive justice is respected, and lactation support is accessible. Our communities are leading the way toward lasting, positive change.
Helpful resources for staying connected with the AANHPI Lactation Collaborative and breastfeeding counseling in AANHPI languages:
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Posted: August 19, 2025 by Yael Breimer
Conversations about Breastfeeding Support in AANHPI Languages
By Uyen T.
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week this year, New Beginnings is featuring stories from three individuals who support lactating families in an AANHPI language (or more than one!). We hope you will enjoy reading their experiences.
I work with the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program. At our clinics, the majority of families communicate in Spanish and English, and a small percentage speak Vietnamese and various other languages. In my role as a lactation consultant, I provide counseling in English and occasionally inVietnamese. I also translate breastfeeding and social media materials into Vietnamese for various organizations.
Explaining lactation science and breastfeeding in Vietnamese can be difficult, either because technical terms are hard to find and to translate accurately or due to a lack of specific vocabulary. For example, “reverse pressure softening” and “biological nurturing” are techniques that are not commonly practiced or easily found mentioned in Vietnamese breastfeeding resources; therefore, the terms are nonexistent, and translating word-for-word can be awkward. Even seemingly straightforward terms, like “positioning,” “latching,” “engorgement,” and the names of various breastfeeding positions may require research to ensure meaningful translation. It can take a lot of verbal descriptions and even the use of body language to convey the intended meaning effectively.
The architecture of the English language makes it very concise and straight to the point. Therefore, translating word-for-word from English into a language like Vietnamese that requires more context can make conversations sound very stiff and even strange. To convey the message clearly and effectively, it is important to understand the cultural context, to have a good grasp of the spoken language, and to be flexible so as to modify the sentence structure and rephrase the idea in a way that softens the meaning and makes it more relatable. For example, the English expression “You can’t put your baby to the breast too much” might be translated into Vietnamese as “The more often you put your baby on your breast, the better it is,” making the expression more fluid and fitting. Similarly, “breastfeeding” is translated as “nuôi con bằng sữa mẹ” or “raising a child with mother’s milk” which offers a broader context and longer-term view.
Additionally, achieving inclusivity in Vietnamese can be extremely difficult. Vietnamese pronouns are specific to sex and gender, age, social and familial ranking and role, as well as the relationship between individuals in a conversation. The translations for terms such as “the birthing parent” or “chestfeeding” into Vietnamese are nonexistent at this time. More significantly, the specific pronouns used by individuals not related by blood are largely defined by their gender and age. In turn, they define the power balance within the conversation. This can also subtly shift the dynamic of the parent-and-support-person relationship.
What is also so remarkable—and something I often take for granted—is the way Vietnamese people specifically, and East and Southeast Asians in general, receive compliments. In breastfeeding and lactation support, we are trained to give frequent praise as a form of reassurance that things are going well and to help boost parental confidence. However, out of modesty, many Asians tend to deflect or reject compliments. When someone praises us, we often respond with something like, “No, that’s not good enough,” even if we’ve worked hard or done well. Spiritually, it is considered taboo to give praise to a young child—or even worse, for the child to receive such praise—as it is believed to startle the child’s spirit, potentially leading to misfortune or illness. Parents may even give their young children odd or humble nicknames to avoid attracting the attention of spirits or the gods. So, instead of offering direct praise, we may show empathy and acknowledge the parent’s effort. We might let them know that things are progressing in the right direction and that there is no specific cause for concern.
An unexpected aspect of providing support to the Vietnamese families for me is the sense of responsibility and heavy investment, almost as if there would be too much to lose if I didn’t give it all. This feeling may come from knowing the deep history and the narratives of our own people, which gives me a sense that I can anticipate their pattern. However, I must consciously take a step back to acknowledge and support each individual’s unique goals and purposes with respect.
As complex as it may sound, counseling in a non-English language is certainly not impossible. The art of counseling definitely happens beyond the words. Understanding the cultural context, interpersonal relationship, way of life, and our shared history and lived experiences can be a great advantage. Using English, I can be much more technical in explaining breastfeeding and lactation. Yet it is an acquired skill, requiring a conscious effort, to offer emotional support and reassurance when counseling in English. In Vietnamese, however, I find it much more instinctive to set aside the textbooks and just have a natural dialogue between two individuals discussing “raising a child with mother’s milk.”
Grace’s learned lessons about Chinese translations
When I worked for WIC as a Breastfeeding Coordinator and Supervisor for the Peer Counseling Program, I interacted with diverse colleagues and participants, including a large number of Chinese immigrant families.
Part of my work was to review the State WIC’s translated breastfeeding booklets and pamphlets in Chinese and to help translate educational materials into Chinese. I know that word-for-word translation from English into Chinese generally results in awkwardness and senselessness to the Chinese audience.
Difficulties for translators and interpreters are compounded with the complexity of the Chinese language. Although there is one written language, there are two versions of writing: the traditional and the simplified forms. Words and phrases can be different between different countries and regions, too. A prime example would be: NICU is phrased differently in Taiwan (新生兒加護病房 xīn shēng ér jiā hù bìng fang), Hong Kong (新生兒深切治療部 sūn saāng yì sam1 chit3 ji6 liù bou6), and in mainland China (新生兒重症監護室 xīn shēng ér zhòng zhèng jiān hù shì). It’s important to know where your client is from.
When I counseled participants in Chinese, I learned to first get to know my clients, then process the material in Cantonese or Mandarin, and subsequently convey the content from English into the client’s language. Counseling and learning is an interaction, not a one-way experience. I would engage the audience according to their needs and experiences, rather than follow my own agenda and goal. Humility is important.
Even now, whenever I need to confirm or further comprehend certain breastfeeding terms in Chinese, I explore breastfeeding organizations in different countries that use Chinese as their main language.
Last but not least, I plead with colleagues who are tasked with translating, interpreting, or counseling on any matters about lactation in Chinese, not to be shy to ask and always be humble. When it comes to the names of breastfeeding aids/equipment, it is helpful to look outside of the U.S. for the proper names in Chinese. It makes your work so seamless and organic, and most importantly, enables you to give your clients the most meaningful information.
Wendy’s stories of providing lactation education
I have been working at the Public Health Foundation Enterprises (PHFE) Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for over a decade. I began my journey at WIC as a Registered Dietitian. One of the core services WIC offers is to provide breastfeeding education. As a new staff member, I often had to ask my supervisor for Chinese language breastfeeding education materials. Fortunately, we have a small team that speaks Mandarin and Cantonese—two major Chinese dialects.
The absence of language-appropriate materials and culturally relevant images can make lactation education less engaging and effective. To help fill this gap, I volunteered to translate many of our materials into Chinese.
Families feel more at ease seeking help when we share common experiences, culture, and practices. It’s important to remember that equity in lactation involves more than just providing materials in the right language—it also requires comprehensive, culturally informed care and support.
There is a need for us to discuss and debrief, to ask questions and share our experiences, and to get reassurance and advice from other AANHPI support people. This collaborative approach is important for us to continue to grow in our capacities as providers, supporters, and community members.
This year, the theme for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding Week (August 15-21, 2025) is “Diverse Voices, One Vision”. “We recognize that while our communities are unique, we share the same vision of safe pregnancies, healthy babies, and thriving families”. We invite you to stay connected with us for updates on upcoming events and initiatives. More importantly, whether you identify as part of the AANHPI communities, support AANHPI breastfeeding families, or stand as an ally, we encourage you to be part of this important conversation. Our goal is to build a welcoming and inclusive space where AANHPI communities can thrive, reproductive justice is respected, and lactation support is accessible. Our communities are leading the way toward lasting, positive change.
Helpful resources for staying connected with the AANHPI Lactation Collaborative and breastfeeding counseling in AANHPI languages:
https://www.unicef.cn/stories/safer-more-loving-start-life
https://www.unicef.cn/press-releases/10m2-love-mobile-app-locatei-breastfeeding-spaces-now-available
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Category: Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week, Breastfeeding Support
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