A recent survey of eight medical professionals—seven physicians and a nurse who is also a hospital lactation program coordinator—about black women and breastfeeding solidified much of what we already know about this topic: Though breastfeeding rates are rising in the United States, we aren’t breastfeeding as much or as long as women of other races and ethnicities.
According to the survey’s participants, once upon a time, black women breastfed their babies. And then for various reasons, including an increasing number of women in the workforce, free or discounted formula provided by hospitals, a lack of support from women’s family and social networks, and medical professionals with a lackadaisical attitude toward the practice, breastfeeding fell out of favor among black women.
As a result, the researchers found that the survey’s participants believe we’ve had at least one generation of black women who believe a mother’s milk isn’t as good for their babies as formula. Though many typically attribute these beliefs to lower-class and working-class black women, the survey’s respondents said it’s a position held by a number of middle-class black women, too.
The participants in this survey all noted the health benefits associated with breastfeeding—for babies and moms—and they said they communicate those benefits to their patients. For babies, the practice is associated with stronger immune systems; reduced food allergies; lower risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and obesity; and higher IQs. Breastfeeding helps moms return to their pre-pregnancy weight; boosts their resistance to some cancers; moderates mood swings and fosters a closer bond with their infants.
All is not gloomy with black women and breastfeeding, however. The survey found that in spite of the disparities in breastfeeding rates, respondents have seen a shift in the mindset of black women toward acceptance. They said they are seeing black women attempting to breastfeed for longer time periods (approaching the Healthy People 2020 six-month recommendation), though this shift has so far been seen more among older, college-educated women than their younger, less-educated counterparts.
Finally, survey respondents said they can increase this positive breastfeeding behavior by providing more education about the practice to their patients—as well as among others in their profession. They pointed to the past decade of continuing education courses and professional seminars sponsored by groups such as the National Medical Association and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, as well as the proliferation of hospitals receiving a Baby-Friendly designation from the World Health Organization’s Baby-Friendly Initiative, as catalysts for medical professionals to learn more about breastfeeding.
With this increased knowledge, physicians can help spread the word about the benefits and importance of breastfeeding to women—from the beginning of their pregnancy and beyond—and to their significant others, immediate family members and the broader black community.
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