Breastfeeding Injustice

In creating this blog, I did some research to try and find out why there are not more websites, blogs, campaigns or WHATEVER to promote natural parenting among women of color and, more specifically, Black women. I read some disturbing statistics from Kimberly Seals Allers of MochaManual.com that only 20% of Black women breastfeed compared to 40% of White women (check the breastfeeding stats below). When you think about all the benefits to breastfeeding (higher intelligence for baby, being better able to fight illness, greater sense of bonding, lower risk of breast cancer for mama, natural birth control, free source of food for baby, etc.) and the risks of giving baby formula at the start (respiratory complications, contaminants from the manufacturers [please see all the recent product recalls here], digestive problems, colic, etc.), one would think that breastfeeding is a no-brainer. But, with the economy at a devastating low all over the nation, and even lower in Black and Brown communities, mothers have to work. Folks surrounding expectant and new mothers do not create environments of support so that they know they can still work and give baby mama's milk.

Mothers on welfare or any sort of public assistance, such as WIC, will find that giving baby breast is even less supported. WIC is the single greatest purchaser of commercial infant formula (breastfeeding.com). Hospitals will automatically give babies pacifiers and bottles when in the nursery unless the mother specifically and categorically tells the staff not to, and then must make nurses keep babies in the room with them for the duration of the hospital stay (called "rooming in").Women who are receiving government assistance are so often told what is best for their babies, they give up the power to ask questions and make demands themselves- being treated as if, because of their economic status, their opinions and feelings are worthless, unfounded and should not be expressed.

That's when I came across this gem of a documentary called "Formula for Disaster". It's in five parts on youtube. It takes pkace in the Philippines, where only 16% of the women there breastfeed. This is due to poverty (although, the formula costs so much, families there are barely able to afford it) and mothers must work and no one tells them that they can still breastfeed while working. Also, the media and doctors pressure, manipulate and lie to these women stating formula is best for their babies (sound familiar?). Watch it, share it, discuss it.

Be peaceful and productive!

Breastfeeding stats based on Race (via NPR.org)

Earthy Mama