Black History Month
Black History Month and Breastfeeding
The United States Breastfeeding Committee provides a succinct explanation of the importance of acknowledging the "histories and continuing
invaluable contributions of Black people in the United States."
Click here to read the full statement.
Nichelle Clark an IBCLC and CBS writes on her blog SonShine & Rainbows Lactation about Breastfeeding as an Act of Resistance for the Black Mom.
Here is an excerpt from her blog:
"Many mothers find solace in online support groups, where like-minded parents understand the difficulties of healing these traumas in our own families. Again, therein lies the dilemma. We’re in this unique position of changing our history while navigating the uncharted waters of not only breastfeeding but motherhood and womanhood ourselves. While it is not fair to ask this of Black Women, it is something we gladly take on. Because our history is only part of the story. We are writing the next chapter."

Click here to read the full blog post.
Black Breastfeeding Resources
Local Organizations in the NYC and Westchester Area

  • Ancient Song Doula Services is an international doula certifying organization founded in the Fall of 2008 in Brooklyn, New York with the goal to offer quality Doula Services to Women of Color and Low- Income Families who otherwise would not be able to afford Doula Care and training a workforce of full-spectrum doulas to address health inequities within the communities they want to serve.
  • To activate and engage through education, comprehensive training's, inclusion and holistic care.
  • Everyone deserves an empowered birth experience where they are honored and respected for who they are, not treated differently, disrespectfully or inadequately because of who they are. 
  • Bold Doula strives to support: teens, same sex partners, C-Sections, VBAC's, members of the armed services, first time mothers, single mothers, inductions, plus size pregnancies, high risk and special needs pregnancies. Bold Doula has experience in home births, birth centers and hospital environments.
  • Sacred space for families part of the African Diaspora.
  • Our doulas utilize ancient African pampering traditions to leave clients feeling empowered and strong, during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period.
  • Lauren J. Turner produces powerful and beautiful artwork of black women birthing and breastfeeding.
National
Organizations

  • Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. That center Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
  • The mission of the Black Breastfeeding Caucus is to mobilize families, communities, and public/private institutions to create strategies, make decisions and implement action steps that result in equitable breastfeeding support for black families.
  • The African American Breastfeeding Network Inc. (AABN) was established in 2008 to address breastfeeding disparities by increasing awareness of the benefits and value of mother’s milk, building community allies, and de-normalizing formula use.
  • AABN’s mission is to promote breastfeeding as the natural and the best way to provide optimal nourishment to babies and young children.
  • Eliminate stigma against breastfeeding in Black communities
  • Educate Black communities about the importance of breastfeeding
  • Educate Black families on the elements of breastfeeding
  • Support Black breastfeeding families on their breastfeeding journeys
  • Increase the visibility of Black breastfeeding families in our communities
  • Improve the rates of breastfeeding in Black communities
Online Support Groups