National Breastfeeding Month: Why Black Mothers Are In Crisis

National Breastfeeding Month is observed every August as an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding, encourage support for breastfeeding families and bring attention to the barriers that can make breastfeeding difficult. Established nationally in 2011 by the United States Breastfeeding Committee, the month highlights the importance of maternal and infant health and pays tribute to the different cultural communities and advocates working to improve breastfeeding outcomes. For Black mothers, National Breastfeeding Month is especially important because significant disparities in breastfeeding continue to exist in the United States. 

While breastfeeding can provide important health benefits for both mothers and babies, Black women face a number of systemic, historical and economic barriers that can make it more difficult to initiate and continue breastfeeding. Understanding those barriers is an important part of understanding the breastfeeding gap. Here’s what we know. 

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Geriatric’ Or Not, I’m A Muva — Pregnancy Over Age 40 Is On The Rise & Has Never Looked Better [Op-Ed]

National Breastfeeding Month: Why is breastfeeding important for Black women?

Breastfeeding provides nutritional, physiological, psychological and immunological benefits for both mothers and babies. Research has found that breastfeeding can help protect infants from certain illnesses and health conditions, while mothers who breastfeed may also experience health benefits. Globally, researchers have estimated that improving breastfeeding practices could prevent hundreds of thousands of child deaths and tens of thousands of maternal deaths each year while producing significant economic benefits. Sadly, Black mothers are more than two times more likely to…