15 Breastfeeding Organizations For Black Women
This week we celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week. Black Breastfeeding Week is a major force in a growing movement to bring awareness to and close the racial gaps in breastfeeding in the black community. The breastfeeding gap has existed for more than 40 years and black women continue to breastfeed less than any other race in the U.S. Black Breastfeeding Week allows the U.S. to have those painfully awkward conversations surrounding medical racism and privilege and lead us to provide better solutions for babies and mothers.
Imagine that you’ve just given birth to your precious newborn and you’re ready to breastfeed. You’ve taken classes, watched countless YouTube videos, and you’re nervous but you hope that your little one will latch. Unfortunately, after trying and trying eventually your nipples become dry and cracked. The nurses may be encouraging you to use formula and your family may be encouraging you to give the baby a bottle. On top of that, you’re exhausted, the baby is crying, and your whole body is in excruciating pain.
Too many black women find themselves in this predicament and they end up giving up on their breastfeeding journey. All too often black women lack support, face cultural stigmas, and face racial disparities in health care. In healthcare, representation matters and can make a big difference in the comfort of the mother. Kimberley Seals Allers writes, “Very few black women have reached the highest ranks of lactation consultant,” this can make finding a black lactation consultant difficult and may deter women from seeking out breastfeeding help.”
Because of these barriers, African-American women have the lowest rate of starting breastfeeding and continuing breastfeeding past 6 months. We’re talking only 63% of black women initiating and continuing nursing, compared to 81% of white women.
Babies who don’t breastfeed are missing the following benefits:
-lower risk of getting asthma
-lower risk of developing childhood obesity
-lower rates of SIDS
-better vision
There are so many more breastfeeding benefits for babies! However, there is support out there that specializes in the breastfeeding needs of black families whether through in-person breastfeeding groups, breastfeeding classes, one-on-one lactation consulting, or through virtual support.
We have compiled a list of organizations that cater to the needs of black women to ensure their successful breastfeeding journeys and to make sure their babies get the healthiest start in life.
New Orleans, LA
New York and New Jersey
New Orleans, LA
Harlem, NY
Newark, New Jersey
Fayetteville, NC
Los Angelos, CA
Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association
Detroit, MI
Nationwide
Greensboro, NC
Columbia, SC
Youtube and Facebook
Wilmington, NC
New York City
Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE)
Nationwide
There are more and more organizations assisting black women with their breastfeeding goals. Is there an amazing breastfeeding organization that you’d like to shout out? Let us know in the comments.
