Black Mothers'​ Breastfeeding Association’s Post

The mother-child relationship is the foundation of human growth and we have to do all we can to support it. “Breastfeeding is the child’s first foundational relationship and forms a template for all future relationships” (Dr Nan Jolly). Breastfeeding is also more than just putting the baby to the breast and letting nature take its course. Mothers and families need support, education, reassurance, skilled practical help and problem solving, and anticipatory guidance, in the antenatal, birth and postpartum periods, both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding. A combination of peer and professional support is what help mothers reach their breastfeeding goals. An online year-long Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor Training Program, (presented by LLLSA), covers the basic tools for Breastfeeding Peer Counsellors to provide lactation support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in their own communities, and protect and promote breastfeeding. The course has been compiled by using the 2020 Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative training course for maternity staff as a basis, and adding material from various Peer Counsellor training courses available. The course consists of 10 PARTs (30 hours of recordings), including homework, a “practical preview” and 10 live Q&As plus access to a Communication Skills Development Course to develop the necessary listening skills and other communication skills to counsel mothers regarding breastfeeding and also to build confidence and give the necessary support. Since this is a Peer Counsellor course, effective communication is an essential part of training. Read more about the course here: https://lnkd.in/dyFdZYvJ   It takes a village to raise a child and in our modern society Breastfeeding Peer Counsellors are an essential part of that village.  #BreastfeedingPeerCounsellor #BreastfeedingPeerCounsellingTraining

The World Breastfeeding Week 2024 Has Come! 1st August to 7th August - "Closing the Gap, Breastfeeding Support for All" The Objectives 1. To inform people about inequalities that exist in breastfeeding support and prevalence. 2. To anchor breastfeeding as an equalizer to close gaps within society. 3. To engage with individuals and organizations to enhance collaboration and support for breastfeeding. 4. To galvanize action on reducing inequalities in breastfeeding support by focusing on vulnerable group. The Message ....This year, let’s appreciate breastfeeding mums and ensure they get the support they need. Let us all support women to breastfeed anytime, anywhere, to improve the position and condition of women at home, at work and in public life. ....You can render breastfeeding support in many forms – welcoming breastfeeding at both local and former organizations to helpful advice from health workers. These all help protect the health of women and babies. ....Women everywhere have the right to respectful breastfeeding counselling from trained health care providers or lactation managers, as well as laws and policies; paternity and maternity leave with benefits. ....Ensure effective maternity entitlements that do not force women to choose between their families and work. ....Train and retrain health professionals who can provide helpful and respectful breastfeeding support. #AMCHFOUNDATION #WABA #WHO #ClosingTheGap #WorldBreastfeedingWeek2024

How poor must the support system be when Black mothers still face overwhelming barriers to something as essential as breastfeeding? August 25th to August 31st marked the Black Breastfeeding Week, an important observance dedicated to addressing the racial disparities in breastfeeding rates, and the challenges black mothers face during pregnancy and post-birth. Despite the well-documented benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby, Black mothers in the US face have the lowest breastfeeding rate. A 2023 report suggests a troubling reality: Black mothers are less likely to start breastfeeding and, even when they do, they face more challenges in continuing than any other racial or ethnic group. This isn’t just about personal choice—it’s deeply rooted in history and systemic inequities. During the era of slavery, Black women were forced into wet-nursing, their bodies exploited, leaving behind deep psychological and cultural scars. The legacy of that exploitation lingers, affecting Black mothers even today. In the present day, these mothers still struggle with a lack of access to supportive lactation resources, insufficient postpartum care, inflexible work environments, and societal stigma. This prevents Black mothers from getting the support they need to care for their babies in the way they choose. We believe that all mothers deserve better. Understanding the complexities of breastfeeding, especially for first-time mothers, is crucial. That's why we collaborate with IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) and other lactation specialists to provide expert guidance. We provide straightforward, OBGYN-approved articles that help them make informed decisions, and we offer support and rehabilitation services that are available when and where they’re needed most. Our community is a safe, non-judgmental space where moms can find understanding, comfort, and all the tools they need in one place. No mother should have to wait weeks for the care she deserves. We exist to make sure that doesn’t happen—to provide the support that’s been missing for far too long. #blackbreastfeedingweek #blackmaternalhealth #pregnancy #postpartum #breastfeedingawareness

"In conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week which starts tomorrow, The Harris Poll, a Stagwell Agency, is releasing additional data from its second annual State of Maternal Health Report, revealing significant shortcomings in the health information and support women in the U.S. receive throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Key findings from the survey, conducted online in April of 2024 among more than 1,000 U.S. women aged 18+, indicate a worrying trend: pregnant women in the U.S. are being underserved when it comes to postpartum education and support." #maternalhealth #postpartumeducation #survey

I’m excited to share that I’m now a fully trained breastfeeding support volunteer! 🎉🤱 I began my training during my maternity leave, while pregnant with my third child, and completed it shortly after her birth. My breastfeeding journey hasn’t been easy. After a traumatic first birth and a delayed diagnosis of tongue tie, I experienced the mental and physical challenges of breastfeeding, often compounded by dismissive remarks from healthcare professionals—many of whom lack proper training in this area. 😔 It’s disheartening that our nation has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, especially given our advancements in healthcare. I believe a significant part of the problem lies in the lack of support and the prevalence of misinformation, not to mention societal pressures. Having benefited immensely from the support of a volunteer during my early motherhood journey, I want to pay it forward. I realise now that I may have struggled with undiagnosed postnatal depression, but I normalised my situation, thinking that breastfeeding difficulties were simply a part of motherhood. While it can be challenging initially, knowing how to navigate these obstacles is crucial for long-term success. 💪 I’m committed to changing the narrative and supporting mothers facing breastfeeding challenges. Together, we can ensure that more families connect with the incredible benefits of breastfeeding. 🌟 Let’s empower each other! 🤝 #BreastfeedingSupport #MaternalHealth #PostpartumJourney #BreastfeedingAwareness #SupportMothers #Empowerment

International Breastfeeding Week 2024: Day 6 - “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All” The theme, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All,” underscores the importance of supporting #working #mothers to ensure they can successfully #balance their #professional and #breastfeeding #responsibilities.Research indicates that while working mothers face significant challenges, targeted support can significantly improve breastfeeding outcomes. A study by Gupta et al. (2023) highlights that workplace policies and flexible work arrangements can positively impact breastfeeding success. The following strategies are crucial to enhance breastfeeding: - Implement #Flexible #Work #Arrangements: Advocate for flexible hours and remote work options that accommodate breastfeeding and pumping needs (Agarwal & Singh, 2022). - Create #Designated #Lactation #Areas:Ensure that workplaces have clean, private lactation rooms equipped with necessary facilities (Kumar et al., 2023). - Provide #Paid #Parental #Leave:Support policies that offer paid parental leave, allowing mothers adequate time to establish breastfeeding routines (Sharma & Reddy, 2024). - Promote #Workplace #Breastfeeding #Policies:Advocate for formal policies that support breastfeeding, including breaks for pumping and breastfeeding (Mehta & Patel, 2023). - Offer #On-#Site #Childcare:Provide on-site childcare options to make it easier for mothers to breastfeed or pump during work hours. - Educate #Employers and #Colleagues: Conduct training sessions to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers. - Support #Milk #Storage #Solutions:Ensure facilities are available for safe breast milk storage, including refrigeration and proper labeling. - Encourage #Peer #Support #Groups: Establish support networks within the workplace where mothers can share experiences and advice. - Facilitate #Smooth #Transitions:Provide guidance on transitioning back to work while maintaining breastfeeding practices. - #Monitor and #Evaluate:Regularly assess the effectiveness of breastfeeding support measures and make necessary adjustments based on feedback from working mothers. By implementing these strategies, we can help working mothers manage their professional and breastfeeding responsibilities effectively, thereby closing the gap in breastfeeding support. References: - Gupta, S., et al. (2023). *Workplace policies and breastfeeding outcomes*. Journal of Occupational Health. - Agarwal, P., & Singh, N. (2022). *Flexible work arrangements and breastfeeding success*. International Journal of Workplace Health. - Kumar, R., et al. (2023). *Creating breastfeeding-friendly workplace environments*. Indian Journal of Public Health. - Sharma, A., & Reddy, P. (2024). *The impact of paid parental leave on breastfeeding*. Maternal Health Review. - Mehta, R., & Patel, V. (2023). *Advocating for workplace breastfeeding policies*. Journal of Workplace Policy.

🌟 Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week! 🌟 From August 1st to 7th, we join over 120 countries in honoring the breastfeeding week. This year’s theme is "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All," highlighting the critical role breastfeeding plays in family planning and maternal health. Breastfeeding not only offers optimal nutrition for babies but also serves as a natural form of contraception for mothers. It can be effective for up to 6 months postpartum, provided that monthly bleeding hasn't resumed and the mother is breastfeeding exclusively or nearly exclusively. Beyond this period, breastfeeding continues to support maternal and infant health. Let's spread the word and support breastfeeding as a key element of family planning and early infant care. 💪👶 #BreastfeedingWeek #Breastfeeding #FamilyPlanning

More data from our second annual report on #maternalhealth in the U.S. This one is released in conjunction with #worldbreastfeedingweek. More kudos to Christina (Scardino) Lojek for her dedication and commitment to bringing this data forth with the idea that we can and should be making a difference in these areas. A few (disturbing) highlights: 🤰 74% of all women agree that there isn’t enough focus on postpartum healthcare for mothers. 🤰 Two in 5 women who have been pregnant (40%) report receiving insufficient (22%) or no information/ resources at all (18%) from their healthcare providers (HCPs) on the topic of breastfeeding. 🤰 More than half of women who have been pregnant (53%) did not receive any (40%) or enough (13%) information/resources on postpartum depression. It's been a while (20 or so years) since I was pregnant and a new mother but I agree that not enough focus is on that postpartum period for mothers. Everyone wants to look at the cute baby - totally fair - but mom needs some love too. And if I recall correctly no one asked me or screened me for signs of postpartum depression. What was your experience like?

Good news! Global rates of exclusive breastfeeding have increased by 11 percentage points over the last decade. This means just under half of all babies are now exclusively breastfed in their first six months of life. But to ensure every child can benefit from the power of breastmilk, we must do more. UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health, Ghana 🇬🇭 Health Service and partners to create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers. This includes ensuring that: ✅ Every mother has access to breastfeeding support and family-friendly policies such as paid parental leave, paid breastfeeding breaks and breastfeeding spaces. 🚫 Every parent is protected from aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes. 📈 Improvement in monitoring systems that track policies, programs, and funding relating to breastfeeding. #WorldBreastfeedingWeek

World Breastfeeding Week 2024 Every year, from the 1st-7th of August is set aside to commemorate the world Breastfeeding week. This aim is to raise awareness on the importance of breastfeeding and to garner support for breastfeeding mothers around the world. The theme for this year is Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all." The message is clear, to encourage support for breastfeeding mothers in order to improve access to breastfeeding for babies, in order to reduce the inequality in access to healthcare so that babies and breastfeeding mothers can thrive. There is also the advocacy for more flexible policies in the workplace that support breastfeeding like maternity leave, paternity leave, breastfeeding breaks and good childcare at work. These would help reduce the discrimination associated with public breastfeeding, create a level of support for breastfeeding mothers and promote their interest in exclusively breastfeeding for 6months. We know that breast milk contain the adequate amount of nutrients needed to fight diseases, develope immunity against certain disease and thrive in their early life and beyond. I hope that more people are open to supporting breastfeeding mothers wherever they are found. For more information about world Breastfeeding week, see these resources World Health Organizationhttps://lnkd.in/ey-3RUSr @West Africa Institute of Public Health #healthcare #health #publichealth #pharmacist #breastfeedingweek #heathequality #healthoutcomes