Black+American+Women+and+Breastfeeding

By: Alicia L. Andrews
=__History and Current Perceptions__= ===Breastfeeding is the ideal way of providing nourishment for an infant. However, with a history of being forced to breastfeed plantation owners' children, the evolution of societal norms, and the lack of support from peer networks, breastfeeding has declined among Black American women over time. It is believed that the decline of breast feeding could be due in part that "women of color experience a different and more intense kind of oppression, due to the historical, gender, and racial milieus in this country" (Asiodu 2011). ===

Historically, black (enslaved) women were “forced to nurse, nurture, and care for the children of their slave owners, while their own children were left alone or tended by another lactating woman (Asiodu, 2011, p. 545). A wet nurse would be responsible for feeding both her child and the owner’s child(ren), and when the enslaved black women were nursing their own children, white children were not allowed to suck on the same side as the black child. However, being a wet nurse indicated higher status than other slaves; they were fed better and received better treatment than other enslaved women (Moore, 2011).

Moore stated, the practices of being a wet nurse caused insufficient care and inferior food for the infants of the enslaved women, yielding high infant mortality (2011). Even in present day, Black American women babies are approximately 3 times more likely to die in infancy than Caucasian infants and about twice as likely to have low birth weights (Asiodu, p. 544).

= = When formula was developed and distributed in the U.S., middle and upper class women were able to afford the formula; and breastfeeding became associated with slavery and poverty (Moore, 2011). The 1974 establishment of the Supplemental Food program for WIC has played a role in the perception and implementation, or lack thereof, breastfeeding within the Black American culture, particularly the younger mothers; access to free formula could be seen as a deterrent against breastfeeding (Fooladi, 2001). = = =__Breastfeeding Barriers__= There are some major factors which hinder Black American women from acting out the behavior of breastfeeding their infants. Most Black American women begin with high intentions on breastfeeding, however, majority do not follow through with those intentions. It was reported that, "a general lack of social support, lack of confidence or prior experience, fear of pain or breast sagging, and modesty/embarrassment may also contribute to the decision to infant formula-feed rather than breastfeed (Hill, Arnett, and Mauk 2008).



Main Factors Hindering Breastfeeding:

 * Lack of support from peer network (family, partner, friends, and/or Health/Medical Providers--Doctors, Nurses, WIC Workers).
 * Lack of knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding
 * Body Image Issues

Chapman and Perez-Escamilla mentioned, some of the potential causes of poor breastfeeding outcomes among black women include breastfeeding ambivalence, the availability of free formula from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a high level of comfort with the idea of formula feeding, limited availability and lower intensity of WIC breastfeeding support for minority women, and issues surrounding trust building and perceived mistreatment by providers” (2012, p.97). With the health disparities that minorities face in America are due to access of quality health care. Most Black American females receive less traditional healthcare, which hinders them from receiving formal breastfeeding education...these institutional barriers then create a knowledge gap (Dailey, 2014).

In addition to those factors, other barriers included are the mother's age and educational level. Mothers who are older and have an educational level of higher than a high school degree are more likely to breastfeed, than those who are still in their adolescent stage of life.

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Breastfeeding in the Black American culture also has a generational gap. Older Black Women reported that breastfeeding was the best option for them, versus those who are currently in their adolescent stage (Fooladi, 2001). =====

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The older generation were more likely to breastfeed due to their economic position and the support which they received from their mothers or grandmothers when breastfeeding. The older generation were told that breastmilk was best for their baby and the “couldn’t afford the formula” (2001). With the accessibility to WIC for younger mothers and the familial structure of other women who are not supporters or ever breastfed has caused a greater gap in breastfeeding among the Black American community. =====

Fooladi (2001) reported younger mothers stating the following reasons for not breastfeeding:


== = = == = = = = = = =__Culture Crossroads__= Medical providers and educators have to make sure that they are aware of the cultural barriers which may cause a decline in breastfeeding among Black American women. The lack of knowledge and past perceptions play an important role in women making the decision to either start or continue to breastfeed their infant. In Asiodu's cultural competence column (2011), it is stated, how images in the media, discussions with family and friends, and involvement with their surrounding communities all play a role in shaping women's perceptions and experiences about infant feeding (p.545).

Most Black American women, speaking of those in the 20th and 21st Century, do not have the luxury of having the extended time off of work or from school to provide the constant nourishment of breastfeeding postpartum. There needs to be more support networks created within the Black American communities to address these disparities, as well as to educate, encourage and increase breastfeeding among the young mothers. More programs need to focus on the mothers' partners/spouses, to help educate the men on the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child; in addition to learning how to provide support for the nursing mothers for the duration of breastfeeding.To close this institutionalized health care disparity, it is imperative to have "a more diverse health care workforce who develops a better rapport with minority women (Chapman et al, 2012).


 * References**

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Asiodu, I. (2011). Got Milk? A Look at Breastfeeding from an African American Perspective. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 32(544), 544-546. doi:10.3109/01612840.2010.544842 ======

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Chapman, D. J., & Perez-Escamilla, R. (2012). Breastfeeding Among Minority Women: Moving From Risk Factors to Interventions. American Society for Nutrition, 3(95), 95-104. doi:10.3945/an.111.001016 ======

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Hill, G. J., Arnett, D. B., & Mauk, E. (2008). Breast-feeding Intentions Among Low Income Pregnant and Lactating Women. American Journal of Health Behaviors, 32(2), 125-136. ======

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Moore, L. (2011). Breastfeeding Among African American Women In Minneapolis (Doctoral dissertation, St. Catherine University, St. Paul). Retrieved from [] ======