Celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week
Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25-31) is a time to celebrate the breastfeeding/chestfeeding journeys of Black and Brown families, especially in light of these unjust statistics: the most recent study by the CDC in 2019 found that while 83% of all mothers initiated breastfeeding, 85% of white mothers did compared to 69% of Black mothers. Racism and implicit bias, along with employer and community support, are behind the disparity - this article goes more in depth.
However, it is vital that we don't fixate on the disparities. There is much to celebrate and progress is all around. At Bridgetown Baby, we are committed to changing the culture which includes policies that will provide paid family leave, flexible work schedules and accomodations for expressing milk at work.
If you haven't already, please take some time this week to read about Black Breastfeeding Week, an interview with Nasheeda Pollard, IBCLC and author of Magical Milk and the The Big Letdown.