Being that Black Breastfeeding Week is coming up I wanted to make a post about black women and breastfeeding. I can say that out of the mom's I know 2 of them breastfeed. Compared to other races, breastfeeding in the black community is lower. I'm sure other moms out there who breastfeed know the struggle when you start that journey, as well as continuing through the cluster feedings, growth spurts and sleep regression. It seems like there isn't enough motivation and support for black women to breastfeed. Since I've started my breastfeeding journey the past 7 months I've had great support from my family and friends even other moms in breastfeeding groups . The hospital I had my daughter at was very supportive of my breastfeeding, in fact they're a very baby friendly hospital that doesn't have nurseries because they have all newborns with their mothers, they never separate the baby and Mom. When I was pregnant I knew that I wanted to breastfeed and having the support from my family to my nurses in the hospital was amazing. Unfortunately, certain hospitals in black communities don't fully support breastfeeding, the reason behind that is up in the air, but according to The Huffington Post in 2010 62% of black babies were breastfed compared to the 79% of white babies who were breastfed. It's unfortunate that the rates for breastfeeding in the black community is low, I want to encourage any mom's who are unsure about breastfeeding or feel like they don't have the support to know that you have mine!. Really, breastfeeding needs encouragement and support that's how I've gone this long with doing it. You can breastfeed as long as you want to and know that you'll always have support. Being that in today's society black people are sometimes viewed negatively it's important to bring awareness to something positive and that can help uplift mothers to breastfeed; increase and grow the statistic of us breastfeeding. Never feel ashamed for feeding your baby anywhere, I feed my daughter when I'm out with her and I've become more confident when it comes to feeding her in public because some moms are told to cover or to go else where. I won't be made to feel ashamed or be told that breastfeeding is inappropriate, it's natural dogs, cats, bears, and cows do it and when we do it's not right. There are breastfeeding laws and they protect us!. When you have other mom friends who breastfeed it encourages you to do the same.
Props to u! I breastfed for 15mths and aint no way in hell anyone was going to tell me i couldnt feed my child in public! The problem with society is that they look at breasts as a means of pleasure not a source of nutrients. Lets change society image one breast at a time๐
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That’s amazing !! That’s how I feel!! I don’t let anyone tell me I can’t feed her in public . I did yesterday at the park. Breasts sole purpose is to feed babies , when you travel to African countries even Asian women breastfeed with their breasts out not covering them
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Youre doing great. Keep it up๐
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Thank you ๐๐
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Being part African American, i didnt know we had a week dedicated to us breastfeeding LOL! I know its lower in our particular nationality, but i tend to overlook things based on color. I breastfed 2 out of 3 of my children, and plan to BF the one due in Dec. I go for at least 12 months then cut off time. ๐ Thanks for shedding light on this issue!!
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I didn’t know there was a week for us either until I saw it on Dairy Queen’s support group. Congrats !!! I plan to bf a for year as well
Maybe a bit longer . Glad you liked my post !
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I adore this post! โก My research during my Bachelors in Nursing program was cenrered around breastfeeding and Baby Friendly hospitals, and like you said, research does show that black mothers are less likely to breastfeed their baby. Thank you for helping to normalize breastfeeding! My youngest and I are 10 months BFing and going strong! ๐
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Glad you liked it !! My daughter and I have been breastfeeding for 7 months still going strong too! It’s important to normalize breastfeeding many mom’s feel ashamed or embarrassed and they shouldn’t feel that way
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I’m happy to see you are breastfeeding and proud of it! I support all breastfeeding mothers!
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Thank you ๐
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I breastfed my daughter for 9 months until I was pregnant with my son.. unfortunately was only able to breastfeed him for two months due to his tummy issues. We’re probably going to have another mainly bc I miss breastfeeding!
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I want more kids to breastfeed ! I love it !! Breastfeeding is a wonderful bonding experience
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I literally can’t like this post anymore! It’s so amazing to hear of other breastfeeding mamas, trying their best to normalize breastfeeding. It’s interesting too you mention the fact of 79% of white babies being breastfed because in my group of friends (only including those who are white) I’d say it’s closer to 50%, with even less making it to the 1 year mark. I wonder why? Anyways, great post!
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I wonder why too! Out of my friends with kids one who is white she breastfed for a week and the other two whore black are still breastfeeding . The article I read about it was from 2010 it could have changed percentages by now. Thank you!!! ๐๐it’s important to normalize breastfeeding
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This is so true, all around – I am so glad you’ve written this, not only to share your own story but also to support other Black women who might be considering breastfeeding, as well as raise awareness of its importance! Thank you for such a great post!
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Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it๐๐
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I never knew that there were people who had issues with breastfeeding, in my culture you have to breastfeed for at least 2 months! So the people having issues with breastfeeding have my support too! When is Black Breastfeeding Week?
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Yes some people have issues with latching milk supply and other issues. Really two months only ? Interesting . It is the week of august 25
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I can’t wait to have my own baby! Congrats #WomenPower
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Thank you ! It’s a love like no other
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Well done you for highlighting this, I’ve always believed in breast is best but haven’t been lucky enough to have a baby myself yet.
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Thank you !! I agree breast is best , you will have one ๐
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I hope so. Thank you xx
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It’s crazy because in the UK the rates of breastfeeding are lowest in young white women x
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Are they ? That’s different compared to here in the United States
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Above all, breastfeeding is the best thing to fill our babies’ very initial lives
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It is the best nutrition for babies !
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I’m so had you had the support you needed! Support is so important for breast feeding success! And especially go you for being an example of a black mother breast feeding. Its very important and often missed in breastfeeding conversations. ๐
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Thank you! Itโs definitely needed when breastfeeding, I didnโt realize how low bf is in the black community .
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๐๐ผ Beautiful article. The reason why a lot of moms are not successful is the lack of support from society. I still don’t understand with so much evidence that breast is best , a lot of people still do not encourage mothers to nurse. I have suffered discrimination from my own family because I decided to continue to breast feed my toddler. Keep spreading the word!
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Thank you ! I completely agree, breast is best and thereโs people who say fed is best but breastmilk has everything a baby needs. Nothing is wrong with nursing a toddler. Iโve read that they benefit from breastmilk. Iโve been asked how long Iโll breast feed and that my 10 month old is too big but nursing is what she wants and what is best for her. Itโs great youโre still nursing !! I love advocating breastfeeding
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Thank you. My daughter is now 3 1/2 years old and she nurses for five minutes before going to bed and sometimes five minutes in the morning. People think I feed her like I would feed a newborn. It’s mostly for Comfort and it’s not going to last forever.
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Thatโs amazing ! Even if itโs for a few minutes itโs comforting for her. I plan to breastfeed past 1 . It wonโt last forever , itโs a bond that we have to enjoy for as long as we can
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Really nice to read, thanks for sharing. We need more women like you , great advocate x
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Thank you so much!
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