Why we need Black Breastfeeding Week?
The goal is to highlight breastfeeding disparities and reduce breastfeeding barriers among women of color.
Statistics show that Black moms are less likely to start breastfeeding and continue nursing for 6 or 12 months than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States.
Black Breastfeeding Week aims to change this by amplifying, supporting, and promoting Black breastfeeding.
Black women in America, breastfeeding is often fraught with obstacles – including a lack of support and resources, inflexible jobs, and structural racism.
The U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world. Black mothers are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white mothers.
Additionally, Black babies are more likely to be born prematurely. The mortality rate for Black babies in America is more than double that of white babies.
The Statistics:
Black mothers have the lowest rates of breastfeeding initiation (74.1 percent), as well as continuation at six months (44 percent) and 12 months (24.1 percent), compared with all other racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
Black women are 2.5 times less likely to breastfeed than white women
Black mothers are nine times more likely to be given formula in the hospital than white mothers.
Black mothers are less likely to breastfeed preterm babies, both before and after they're discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). One study found that just 25 percent of Black mothers were able to provide breast milk for their babies after they left the NICU.
They’re also great chances for Black women wanting to breastfeed to find the information they need.
Getting support as a black breastfeeding mom:
Social media and in-person support groups can offer valuable support, especially for Black moms who are breastfeeding.
Tips include:
✅Understand your body.
✅Eat well and often.
✅Avoid comparisons.
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