Why I Celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week
I’m White. I live in a suburb that’s predominately White. I grew up in an all White community. So why do I celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week?
Black lives matter. The lack of breastfeeding amongst Black families is contributing to the disproportionate number of Black babies that die in their first year of life. The CDC reports that 58.9% of Black women ever breastfeed versus 75% White women. Nationally, Black babies are 1-2 times more likely to die before their first birthday. In my area (St. Louis), Black babies are 3 times more likely to die. Furthermore, Black babies are four times more likely to die from SIDS than White babies. Increasing breastfeeding can help save lives.
Food Matters. Black babies are more at risk of being exposed to harmful foods early on which can lead to food related diseases. Allergies like cow milk protein due to increased exposure to dairy based infant formula. Exposure to solid foods like rice cereal before babies’ digestive systems are mature enough to process them. Childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes due to over feeding beginning with bottle feeding infant formula.
Representation matters. 10.8% of the US’s lactation consultants are Black, while 70.5% are White. Families are more successful breastfeeding when they receive support from individuals that share the same ethnicity, culture, and experiences. Women need to feel safe and supported by someone they trust and can relate to.
Access matters. There is less organized breastfeeding support located in predominately Black communities. When breastfeeding support doesn’t exist or is difficult to access, it’s a barrier to breastfeeding success. Breastfeeding support should be readily accessible to everyone, everywhere. Where there is little support, myths and misconceptions can thrive.
Experience matters. The traumatic effects of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism can lead to an internal disdain for breastfeeding, misinformation, and unsurmountable challenges passed through generations. Historically, Black women’s bodies have been hypersexualized and abused for the benefit of others. Slavery, targets of formula companies, unjust distribution of social services, and mass incarceration are just a few of the many injustices sadly a part of America’s Black experience.
Human dignity matters. As a Christian, I believe in the imago dei, the truth that all people are made in God’s image making everyone equal in value and worth. For me that means someone else’s problem needs to become my problem. Someone else’s burden needs to become mine until all things are made right and good.
This why I celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week.
