{"id":4659,"date":"2022-08-29T07:07:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T13:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthfund.org\/a\/?p=4659"},"modified":"2022-08-26T16:09:21","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T22:09:21","slug":"black-women-breastfeed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthfund.org\/a\/black-women-breastfeed\/","title":{"rendered":"Black women breastfeed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This guest blog post was authored by Joyea Marshall-Crowley, CBS, Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Wichita area, we have heard from Black and brown mothers that they are not even being asked about breastfeeding as an initial feeding choice, and that their healthcare providers assume they are formula-feeding their babies. This makes it difficult for Black and brown mothers to obtain breastfeeding resources, support, or information during pregnancy and upon delivery. It is imperative to have these supports for a woman\u2019s breastfeeding journey, and it should be accessible to all mothers no matter their decision to breastfeed or not.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The need for the Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition is clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Who is the Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition (WBBC) was formed in October 2020 under the non-profit organization Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition. The foundational vision for this local breastfeeding coalition is to help increase breastfeeding rates in the Black and brown communities of the Wichita Metropolitan Area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coalition currently houses six members. The outstanding members of the WBBC hold many titles, such as Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (currently on track to obtain their IBCLC), Certified Trained Doulas, Registered Nurse, Chocolate Milk Certified Trainer, Chiropractor, and Midwife, to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All WBBC members share the same passion for helping women of color gain the support, resources, and tools needed to reach their breastfeeding goals. We want mothers of color to have a safe space just for them to receive the breastfeeding support they need\u2014and that is what they will get from the Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI Breastfed; This is My Legacy\u201d <\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Representation of Black women is so important when it comes to normalizing breastfeeding. This group is underrepresented, and there is already a stigma in the Black and brown community that breastfeeding is a \u201cwhite\u201d thing. When they see pictures and videos of breastfeeding mothers that heavily display white mothers as the focus it just reinforces the same message as the stigma and creates barriers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To dispel this myth, the Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition created a project called \u201cLatched Legacy.\u201d This project highlights and normalizes that Black women do indeed breastfeed. The campaign video shows Black mothers confidently sharing the statement\u00a0\u201cI Breastfed; This is My Legacy\u201d\u00a0<\/em>while capturing them with their children and partners. The project\u2019s goal is not only to increase breastfeeding initiation rates in the Wichita Metro Area but also to increase media representation for Black mothers regarding breastfeeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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