• Breastfeeding rates are lowest in African American communities in the United States.  There are several reasons for this, but the most influential factor in a woman’s decision to breastfeed is the support of the baby's father, your mother, your friends, etc.  Breastfeeding is not seen as “normal” in our society, and it is your decision to make and your choice to educate others about the choice you have made.  Learn about breastfeeding from everyone you can before you make a decision.

• When you find out you’re pregnant, you should start thinking about how you will feed your baby once it is born.  At your first doctor’s visit, you should ask your doctor to speak with you about breastfeeding.  It is always a good idea to bring up the subject of breastfeeding, because sometimes your doctor might forget.  Your doctor should be able to give you information regarding the benefits of breastfeeding, and you can then make an informed decision on your own.

• Family support makes a big difference in whether or not you will breastfeed.  Many women were not breastfed by their mothers, and still others have never seen another woman breastfeed her infant.  In addition, the father of the baby may be unsupportive or not understand why breastfeeding is so important.

• It is up to you to ask questions about breastfeeding to your doctors and nurses, to find books about breastfeeding, and to find women who have breastfed before to give you support in your decision.  Once you are armed with the information on the benefits of breastfeeding, you can spread that information to your mother, grandmother, friends, and the father of your child.  You can always bring a family member to your doctor’s appointment and ask the doctor to explain the benefits of breastfeeding to your support person as well.

• Tell your doctors and nurses when you go to the hospital to deliver that your baby is a breastfed baby, and the baby is not to receive any pacifiers or formula while there.  Try to breastfeed in the first hour of your baby’s delivery.

• It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that all women should breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and continue breastfeeding while introducing solid foods for at least one year.  After the first month of exclusive breastfeeding from the breast, a woman can begin pumping her milk for her baby.  It is best to wait until the baby is one month old to avoid “nipple confusion” in which the baby prefers the faster food delivery system (the bottle) over the breast.

• Remember that the State of Tennessee has laws that protect breastfeeding mothers.  It is your right to breastfeed in a public place without discrimination.  It is also your right to breastfeed at work in a private place (not just a bathroom) without discrimination.  If you have a problem, contact FirstRight.  Their website is http://www.firstright.org

• Studies have shown that African American women are at a much greater risk for developing breast cancer than other ethnic groups, and studies have also shown that breastfeeding reduces the chances of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer.
• Breast milk contains the perfect amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein for the baby for the first six months.  You don’t have to supplement with anything, because your breast milk is the perfect food for your baby.
• African Americans have the highest rates of premature babies and premature babies do better and are discharged from the hospital sooner if the mother breastfeeds.
• Breastfeeding is cheaper than bottle feeding.  You don’t have to buy bottles, formula, pacifiers, or bottle warmers.
• Breastfeeding mothers are eligible for certain special benefits through WIC.
• Breastfeeding moms can pump milk so that other family members can help feed the baby.

 
No one else can feed my baby:

• Not true.  You can pump milk so that other family members can help feed the baby.  If you’re enrolled in WIC, ask about using a breast pump after the first month of exclusive feeding from the breast.

Breastfeeding would tie me down too much:

• Not true.  You can go about your daily activities as usual for the most part.  When you are planning to go out, pump ahead of time, so the baby has food while you are away.  You can breastfeed in public places while being discreet.

Breastfeeding is painful:

• Not true.  Breastfeeding should never be painful as long as the baby is latched on correctly.  Once you give birth in the hospital, ask to see a lactation consultant for guidance on a how to get your baby to latch correctly.  If you have other problems, contact one of the organizations listed below.

My breasts will sag if I breastfeed:

• Not true.  Sagging breasts are due to age and gravity, not breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is old fashioned:

• True.  Breastfeeding is how all of our ancestors fed their babies.  It is the way our babies were intended to be fed.   Formula will never be close to the nutritional and protective qualities found in mother’s milk.

Sources:

• http://www.mochamilk.blogspot.com/
• http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding
• http://www.aabaonline.com
• Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute.  "African American Women and Breastfeeding."

To get a free copy of An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding for African American Women, visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/pub/BF.AA.pdf.

National Breastfeeding Hotline 1-800-994-9662 (Available 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. M-F, EST)

African American Breastfeeding Alliance 1-877-532-8535

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant—To find an IBCLC near you, visit http://www.ilca.org
La Leche League International 1-800-LA LECHE or 1-847-519-7730 or visit http://www.lalecheleague.org

La Leche League International has trained mothers who have breastfed their own babies known as La Leche League Leaders.  These women are available to answer any and all questions about breastfeeding.  The local La Leche League contact information for Memphis, TN is:

LLL of Memphis East
Melanie 901-324-8215

LLL of Germantown
Emily 901-685-8832

Phone Help from LLL:
Anne 901-251-9036 - phone help only

LLL of Memphis East meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John's Episcopal Church - Family Life Center, 3245 Central Avenue, Memphis, Tn.

LLL of Germantown meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at The Church of the Holy Spirit at 2300 Hickory Crest Drive in Memphis. http://www.llleus.org/web/MemphisTn.html

For more resources, please visit the Resource Guide.