Achieving Breastfeeding Equity and Justice in Black Communities: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is protective of maternal and infant health across the life course. Increasing breastfeeding rates in Black communities is an important public health strategy to address maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Methods: Data trends for the past 10 years suggest that Black-led community efforts; local, state, and national initiatives; and maternity care practices that are supportive of breastfeeding have been effective in improving and increasing breastfeeding rates among Black women.Results: Yet breastfeeding disparities and inequities in Black communities persist. Systemic and structural barriers, such as racism, bias, and inequitable access to lactation resources and support continue to be issues in the United States. Conclusion: Going forward, significant investments are needed to decolonize breastfeeding research and clinical practice. Public health and policy priorities need to center on listening to Black women, and funding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) organizations and researchers conducting innovative projects and research.

Postnatal Unit Experiences Associated With Exclusive Breastfeeding During the Inpatient Stay: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

“…Recognition of healthcare service differences and perceptions must be further studied to understand how to achieve equitable care versus equal care. To accomplish this, Asiodu and colleagues (2021) recommend racially diverse research teams and listening to the perspectives of Black women, families, and communities. In a recent report, researchers found that hospitals can both implement evidence-based perinatal care policies and strengthen practices to specifically reduce disparities in breastfeeding initiation rates (Chiang et al, 2021).…”

Infant Formula Shortage

“…Systemic and structural barriers such as racism and inequitable access to maternity care practices supportive of breastfeeding further perpetuate human milk feeding inequities in Black communities. 18 Online discussions on this topic have been centered at the individual level, instead of community or systems levels. The calls to "just breastfeed" as an easy and quick solution to the infant formula shortage are harmful.…”

Effects of Vaccination Against Influenza, Pertussis, and COVID-19 on Human Milk Antibodies: Current Evidence and Implications for Health Equity

“…The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth, and up to two years with the introduction of complementary foods (9). Unfortunately, due to systemic and structural barriers such as racism, lack of workplace accommodations, and inequitable access to human milk feeding resources, breastfeeding disparities and inequities remain (10)(11)(12). In general, breastfeeding initiation and duration rates are higher among Asian and White mothers and lower among Black and Indigenous mothers in the U.S (13).…”