Empowering Black Mothers to Overcome Breastfeeding Stigma

Breastfeeding is beneficial to both the infant and the mother. However, Black mothers and infants often do not receive those benefits as expected. Although the desire and intention for breastfeeding are high for all races, inequities in breastfeeding are still an issue. Some Black women still face unique barriers when it comes to breastfeeding.

Although laws have been put in place in the workplace and other contexts to protect the right to breastfeed, many Black women still face structural barriers that hinder their intention to breastfeed. Statistically, Black women have the lowest breastfeeding rate at 69.4%. This is considerably low compared to 85.9% among white women and 83.2% of women overall. The breastfeeding duration is also the shortest among Black women at 44.7% compared to 62% of white women and 57.6% of women overall. Bridging this gap requires an all-inclusive approach that starts with educating Black women about the importance of breastfeeding.

Importance of Breastfeeding

Breastmilk is a natural source of the nutrients that the baby needs to grow healthy. After giving birth, the mother’s body adapts to provide exactly what the child needs. And it does this at the exact time the baby needs it. Here are the top reasons why breastfeeding is important:

Breast milk transfers beneficial antibodies from the mother to the baby’s immune system
Breast milk has the natural complement of nutrients and vitamins that the baby needs to thrive
Breast-fed babies have a lower risk of infections and childhood illnesses, including a decrease in asthma, diabetes, and obesity
The skin-to-skin contact between the baby and mother helps with bonding, enhancing their emotional well-being
Breastfeeding allows the uterus to go back to its normal size and reduces blood loss after deliver
Breastfeed helps some women lose much of the weight gained during the pregnancy journey
In the long term, breastfeeding decreases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers

Stigma Associated with Breastfeeding Among Black Women

The Black community has a long, complicated history with breastfeeding. During slavery, Black women were forced to breastfeed the white children of the families in which they were enslaved. As a result, many of them refused or stopped to breastfeed their own children. This exploitation of Black women and stigma still causes negative feelings about breastfeeding in Black communities.

The practice of breastfeeding Black children post-slavery has become a cultural norm. However, Black women still face unique barriers to meeting their breastfeeding intentions. For instance, the formula is widely marketed and promoted to African American patients. As a result, the tradition of using formula has been passed down generations and most Black women think it is a norm. However, there has been a shift to this longstanding belief as more women understand the importance of breastfeeding.

Factors that Hinder Breastfeeding Amongst Black Women

One of the main causative factors is the lack of access to lactation supplies and support. There is also a widely held perception in the Black community that breastfeeding is time-consuming. With many Black women bringing the primary economic support for their families, they experience economic pressure to get back to get back to work shortly after birth. This means less time for breastfeeding because their jobs often lack flexibility, economic stability, and benefits.

Technical and physiological issues, including a lack of knowledge about breastfeeding policies and laws in the workplace also pose a barrier to breastfeeding among Black mothers. Although the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers to provide a private location and break time to nurses, many employees do not comply with this. In addition, Black workers often feel that exercising their right to breastfeed may risk their jobs due to the intersecting gender and race discrimination.

The use of formula, although a good alternative for mothers who are not able to breastfeed or for those children who are transitioning from only-milk diet to soft food and cereals is a major hindrance to breastfeeding. Many Black mothers solely rely on formulas without understanding the risk involved. Research indicates that formula feeding is associated with increased risks for asthma, type 2 diabetes, and childhood obesity. Further research indicates that these conditions are more common in Black children compared to other races.

Another major hindrance to breastfeeding amongst black women is the over-sexualization of breasts that causes mothers to be routinely shamed for breastfeeding. With Black bodies being historically degraded and over-sexualized, mothers find it hard to breastfeed in most places. Compounded with the perception of Black women being sexually promiscuous, breastfeeding becomes an uphill task for most Black mothers.

What to Do if You Cannot Breastfeed

Some women, especially first-time mothers may find it impossible to breastfeed. The milk supply may not be enough to meet the demand of your baby or you are having problems with milk letdown. This makes some parents feel shame or guilt for not being able to breastfeed. However, there is no need to feel bad about it.

Ideally, breastfeeding is the best way to keep your baby fed and full. When you are not meeting the child’s demand, you can try doing extra pumping sessions to signal the brain that more milk is needed. Certain herbal supplements and medications can be used to stimulate production. However, you can still give the baby formula if that’s your last resort.