The Importance of Black Breastfeeding Week

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In recognition of the multifaceted experiences of breastfeeding mothers, National Breastfeeding Month celebrates both the triumphs and challenges they face. However, in 2011, three innovative black mothers identified a gap in the conversation regarding the unique struggles faced by black breastfeeding mothers. To address this oversight, they established Black Breastfeeding Week, a dedicated time to highlight the specific challenges black women encounter while breastfeeding and to champion the fact that black women do indeed breastfeed.

Co-founder Zara Thompson shared her insights with the Huffington Post: “National Breastfeeding Month was already a recognized event, but we realized there was a crucial need for a focused week. We decided to declare the last week of August as Black Breastfeeding Week, taking it upon ourselves to raise awareness around this important issue.” These remarkable women are making a significant impact with their bold initiative.

The necessity for a Black Breastfeeding Week is underscored by the glaring inequities that exist in terms of resources, awareness, and opportunities for black women who wish to breastfeed. While black women are just as capable of breastfeeding as their white counterparts, systemic racial disparities have historically hindered their experiences.

On the Black Breastfeeding Week website, another co-founder, Elena Carter, elaborates on some of the pressing reasons for the week’s establishment. One significant issue is the stark racial gap in breastfeeding initiation rates. A 2008 CDC report indicated that approximately 75% of white women began breastfeeding, in contrast to only 58% of black mothers. This disparity has persisted despite overall increases in breastfeeding initiation rates over the years.

Carter also points out the alarmingly high infant mortality rate among black infants, who are twice as likely to die compared to white infants. Breastfeeding can play a critical role in mitigating this issue, particularly during the first year of life. Additionally, breastfeeding has been shown to protect black children from prevalent health issues in their communities, such as respiratory infections, Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and obesity.

Moreover, Black Breastfeeding Week addresses the lack of representation within the breastfeeding support community. How can black women feel empowered to breastfeed if they do not see others from their community doing so? The majority of breastfeeding counselors and lactation consultants are white women, often unfamiliar with the cultural nuances and challenges that black women face in the U.S. today.

It’s essential to acknowledge the complex historical context surrounding breastfeeding for black women, including the painful legacy of slavery, where black women were forced to nurse the children of their enslavers. This history continues to shape perceptions around breastfeeding within the black community.

Despite these challenges, the founders of Black Breastfeeding Week emphasize a message of empowerment and change. “This week serves as a platform to address the lack of diversity among lactation professionals and to rewrite our narrative,” states Carter. “It’s a time to celebrate the breastfeeding heroes in our community who often go unseen and to ensure that breastfeeding leadership mirrors the diversity we seek among breastfeeding mothers.”

The week is dedicated to showcasing the strength of black women who breastfeed with pride and confidence. Social media becomes a vibrant canvas during Black Breastfeeding Week, filled with inspiring images of black mothers nurturing their children—demonstrating their beauty and strength as breastfeeding champions.

Black Breastfeeding Week always takes place during the last week of August, running from August 25 to 31. This year’s theme, #LoveOnTop, encourages engagement and celebration within the community. For updates on events and discussions throughout the week, follow the Black Breastfeeding Week Facebook page and keep an eye out for #BBW18 and #BlackBreastfeedingWeek on social media.

In summary, Black Breastfeeding Week plays a crucial role in addressing the disparities faced by black breastfeeding mothers, promoting awareness, and celebrating their contributions to breastfeeding culture. For those interested in exploring more about pregnancy and home insemination, this excellent resource on in vitro fertilisation offers deeper insights. Additionally, for those considering artificial insemination, check out our post on the Cryobaby Home IntraCervical Insemination Kit to keep the conversation going.