Black Women and Breastfeeding

“At the root of what’s happening to black women and their birth outcomes, as well as their disparities with breastfeeding, is an issue about racism and bias.”- Kimberly Seals Allers, maternal and infant health strategist

Black babies have an infant mortality rate that more than doubles that of white children. Black babies are also more likely to be born pre-mature and would benefit from breastfeeding the most. Systematic biases in hospitals, cultural implications, lack of breastfeeding education and support, have continued to widen the gap.

So how can you help?

1. Support friends and family members who want to breastfeed. 2. Share community resources and education about breastfeeding in your social circles. 3. Be an advocate for Black maternal health and breastfeeding, and support organizations with this mission.

Together we can shorten the gap!

April Anderson, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC