Sign our Letter Urging Congress to Support Black Breastfeeding Week
[ [link removed] ]Take Action Now
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Dear Friend,
As a Black mother of four boys, my heart fills with joy being in community
with, acknowledging the struggles within and celebrating Black
Breastfeeding Week alongside other Black families. 2021 is the year to
engage our national leaders!
[ [link removed] ]→ Sign our letter urging Congress to support Black families and
recognize August 25 - 31 as Black Breastfeeding Week!
Here is the deal: While the majority of Black families want to breastfeed,
many face significant barriers in meeting their breastfeeding goals. This
is a life and death matter. Black babies are dying at twice the rate (in
some places, nearly triple) the rate of white babies. This horrifying fact
is fixable! According to the CDC, increased breastfeeding among Black
women could decrease infant mortality rates by as much as 50%. [1]
Everyone who becomes pregnant, gives birth, and who is breastfeeding
should have access to a safe, healthy, and respectful experience. It is
time for Congress to meet the needs of Black breastfeeding families and
ensure healthy outcomes for mothers and babies.
[ [link removed] ]→ Call on Congress to recognize Black Breastfeeding Week and support
Black breastfeeding people!
Let’s dig a little deeper. Why is Black Breastfeeding Week important?
The high Black infant mortality rate: Black babies are dying at rates
higher than any other group including a rate that is more than twice the
rate of white babies. [2] This is a fact that should be deeply disturbing
to everyone. While the United States ranks among the worst industrialized
nations for infant mortality for all babies (that would be 33rd out of
36th) this means that Black babies have the worst odds of survival. One
known medical factor is that babies born too early, too small and/or too
sick have the greatest need of human milk; these babies also tend to be
disproportionately Black. [ [link removed] ] Breastfeeding is widely accepted as a highly
effective method of infant mortality prevention.
Lack of diversity in the lactation field: Acclaimed journalist and BBW
co-founder Kimberly Seals-Allers says it best in “Top 5 Reasons We Need a
Black Breastfeeding Week:” “Not only are there glaring racial disparities
in breastfeeding rates, there is a blatant disparity in lactation support
and leadership as well. Most breastfeeding advocacy is led by white women.
This is a problem. For one, it unfortunately perpetuates the common
misconception that Black women don’t breastfeed. It also means that many
of the lactation professionals, though well-intentioned, are not
culturally competent, sensitive or relevant enough to properly deal with
African American moms.”
Families deserve to have access to diverse, culturally responsive and
dignified lactation support.
“This is a week to discuss the lack of diversity among lactation
consultants and to change our narrative. A time to highlight, celebrate,
and showcase the breastfeeding champions in our community who are often
invisible.” - Kimberly Seals-Allers
The early days with a newborn are intense for all families. Seals-Allers
goes on to explain how social and historical factors compound these
realities for Black families:
Unique cultural barriers among Black women: While many of the “booby
traps”™ to breastfeeding are universal, Black women also have unique
cultural barriers and a complex history connected to breastfeeding. From
our role as wet nurses in slavery being forced to breastfeed and nurture
our slave owners’ children often to the detriment of our children, to the
lack of mainstream role models and multi-generational support, to our own
stereotyping within our community—we have a different dialogue around
breastfeeding and it needs special attention.
Desert-Like Conditions in Our Communities: Many African American
communities are “first food deserts”—it’s a term I coined to describe the
desert-like conditions in many urban areas I visited where women cannot
access support for the best first food-breast milk. It is not fair to ask
women, any woman, to breastfeed when she lives in a community that is
devoid of support. It is a set up for failure. It is time for Congress to
act in support of Black breastfeeding families!
[3]→ Add your name now so we can make sure your voice is heard too, and be
sure to share the link below with your friends and family so they can also
take action.
- Tina, MomsRising and Anayah, Black Breastfeeding Week Co-Founder
P.S. Recognizing Black Breastfeeding Week is a first step in supporting
Black families. [ [link removed] ]Urge your Member of Congress to follow up their support
by enacting the most comprehensive legislative effort yet to address the
Black maternal health crisis in America - The Black Maternal Health
Momnibus Act!
[1] [ [link removed] ]Black Breastfeeding Week
[2] [ [link removed] ]Infant Mortality, CDC
[3] [ [link removed] ]2018 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report
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