OHIO — Black Breastfeeding Week kicks off this week alongside National Breastfeeding Month.

It’s an opportunity to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding. For Black women in particular, health officials say it’s key because of the stigmas and health challenges attached to not doing so. 

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Ohio Department of Health, Black infants in the state are 2.6% more likely to die before their first birthday than White infants
  • Health officials say Black women are often encouraged by their elders to simply supplement formula with cereal to make sure babies are well fed
  • Lack of diversity in the lactation field presents educational challenges for Black moms 
  • Challenges with low birthweight, iron deficiency and childhood diseases are a few of the health issues babies can face when they’re not breastfed

Jatu Boikai, Mount Carmel Health System’s Maternity Services nurse manager—and the state’s only Black nurse manager—encourages breastfeeding even if it’s not done the traditional way.

“You don’t have to latch baby on. That’s not the only way to get breastmilk to your baby. But we know that breast milk is the best nutrition for an infant from newborn stage all the way up to 2 years old.” Boikai said.

Making sure that moms in the Black community are educated about breastfeeding and have access to quality care is also key. 

For moms who don’t breastfeed, their babies can face any number of health challenges.

“We have low birthweight babies. We have babies who are diagnosed with failure to thrive. We have babies that are iron deficient or they’re low on the nutrients they should be having,” she said.

As for moms, breastfeeding may mean a decreased risk for postpartum depression and diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

While breastfeeding is encouraged, it’s a known fact that moms can struggle with it for many reasons, including having a low or oversupply of milk, infections or plugged ducts. This is why the National Office of Women’s Health recommends checking with your doctor to see if there are hormonal issues and seeking a lactation consultant.

Others like Ohio Health now offer pasteurized donor milk for struggling moms at milk banks as an alternative. The Mothers’ Milk Bank can be reached at (614) 566-0630 or by email at MilkBank@OhioHealth.com.

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