Thursday, August 31, 2023

Black Breastfeeding Week

 

August was National Breastfeeding Awareness Month created to encourage and support new mothers who chose to breastfeed. This is a time to spread the word on the benefits of breastfeeding. All month long, people around the world are celebrating the amazing benefits of breastfeeding, while continuing the fight to ensure women have the support they need to breastfeed.  

The last week was focused on African American mothers. "In America the message needs to be heard loud and clear especially for African American mothers whose rate of initiating breastfeeding is the lowest in the country. There are social, political and cultural reasons for this disparity that need to be addressed. Today laws are being passed to protect mothers who decide to breastfeed but more work has to be done.  Women should not have to fear losing their job in order to nurture their babies."

Breastfeeding offers so many health benefits from helping mother and child bond, providing an incentive to eat healthy and allowing mother's body to heal faster. Most important breast milk provides the nutrients that human babies need.

"Communities and hospitals need to spread the word, provide support for breastfeeding mothers and initiate legislature that provides safe public and business spaces for mothers. Even as individuals, we can help mothers with words of encouragement, a cooked meal, housekeeping, shopping errands and much love. We are all part of the village."

Learn more and spread the word.  For mothers who need support here are a few groups providing information and support.

The African American Breastfeeding Network


Healthy Horizon
 March of Dimes
https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/blog/august-national-breastfeeding-month

Mocha Milk Mommy's Breastfeeding Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mochamilkmommys/

Breastfeeding Info from Weill Cornell Update

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