Latched On: The Realities of Breastfeeding
Issue No. 6: Food, Nutrition, and Access in Our Communities
Photography + Words - Gina Brocker
For over 40 years, there has been a widely documented racial disparity in breastfeeding rates and maternal health statistics for white and Black mothers. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Black babies die at more than twice the rate of white babies, and during pregnancy, Black women are three to four times more likely to die than white women.
According to the CDC, increased breastfeeding among Black women could decrease infant mortality rates by as much as 50%. Breast milk reduces the likelihood of upper respiratory infections, Type II diabetes, asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and childhood obesity; illnesses that can be rampant in communities without the proper support. And yet, 75% of white women have breastfed, while only 58.9% of Black women have the support to do so.
Black women face unique cultural barriers and a complex history with breastfeeding. From their role as wet nurses in slavery, as they were forced to breastfeed and nurture slave owners’ children to the detriment of their own children, to the lack of mainstream role models and multi-generational support, to the stereotyping in their own community. Black women can also face economic hardship as mothers, and are generally provided less support with lactation in the hospital system.
The blatant racial disparities in breastfeeding rates are also clear in breastfeeding leadership, which is white, female-led. The lack of culturally appropriate mainstream support perpetuates the misconception that Black women don’t breastfeed and further puts Black mothers and children at risk. Dialogue around breastfeeding needs further inclusivity, visibility, and cultural sensitivity, to support Black mothers and children.
After personally navigating uncomfortable and challenging situations, the need to share the realities of breastfeeding led me to begin this project. Usually worn in a wrap–and often nursing–my son, later my daughter, and I ventured into over 50 Boston families’ homes and lives to document their typical breastfeeding routines. Hearing and sharing the realities of breastfeeding empowers families and normalizes this very natural and beneficial part of life.
“Before I had children I thought that breastfeeding was gross. I didn’t know anyone who breastfed until I was well into my 30s. I thought that only poor people or people trying to make a statement nursed their babies. I can’t believe how wrong I was. I wish that I could take back all of the harsh words and ignorant glares.”
“I totally underestimated how much time and effort goes into breastfeeding and how a new mom may fall into the temptation of quitting breastfeeding. In my community they don’t even talk about it. People automatically assume you’re gonna do formula. When you do say breastfeeding they are taken aback. I think people see it as a sexual thing, a woman whipping out her breast. They don’t see the real meaning behind it: a child is getting fed. Seeing my peers do it made me feel stronger about doing it. I have 3 siblings, I am the oldest. My mom breastfed me for 6 months, my other brother for 3 months because she got sick and her supply ran out, and my younger brother breastfed for 6 months. My support looks like Baby Cafe, the fellow breastfeeding moms are my support. I would like everyone to accept it and embrace it.”
“I’ve seen pictures people posted of stashes of milk. I thought that it was gonna be that way, it’s not! My first time around wasn’t so successful and the cost of milk is so expensive. We were always running out of formula and breastfeeding is free! In my family I only seen one of my cousins breastfeed. Nobody really told me, I had to find out on my own. The second time around I got more information and more help. People don’t really talk about the true meaning of breastfeeding. It is usually shamed, hidden, and frowned upon. People are not used to seeing you pull your boobs out. People think it’s a sexual thing.”
“Breastfeeding in my community is perceived as sexual. Anything to do with the breasts is seen as sexual because we live in a hyper sexual society. Then to be a Black woman on top of that, you are constantly oversexualized. It’s a rarity to see but I think more of us are doing it, and doing it so loudly and proudly so that those coming up after us can be inspired. My mom talked about breastfeeding me. Although I don’t remember it, she was my influence. My mom also put my oldest son to my bare chest as soon as she got him in her arms after I birthed him. 4th trimester traditions in my family have included “cry it out,” but I’m breaking that tradition. Support in my community looks like Baby Cafè and all of the assurance that came with going. They always let me know I was doing great even when it didn’t feel like I was. Support also looks like people not acting weird when my breasts come out. My youngest had a tongue-tie and I did not expect that, in fact I didn’t even know it was a thing. I nursed him for hours upon hours some days to make up for him not taking in enough milk and always being hungry, it was exhausting. I tried my hardest not to supplement with formula because I thought that meant I failed. Eventually we fixed the tongue-tie and he started supplementing with formula but I didn’t fail. We are now over 15 months into our breastfeeding journey. The bond, the instant soothing abilities it has for baby, health benefits for myself and baby, I could go on and on. It’s been a beautiful experience even though it hasn’t always been perfect. Breastfeeding should be the base line. It’s so wild that the natural thing to do is frowned upon. Normalize it!”
“In my community I have a lot of support. This is my second time around breastfeeding. So any knots that we had with my oldest, we have smoothed them out. My family knows, “Jen’s gonna whip her boob out.” My mother breastfed me and my siblings. She always referred to us as the reason her breasts didn’t sit up. So I automatically knew that when I decide to have a child, I would breastfeed too. A lot of people around me feel breast is best, but there have been points they felt he wasn’t getting enough. When he was having a growth spurt, he was getting longer but no pot belly. There was a lot of pressure. People would say, “He needs formula”, “When are you going to give him some cereal.” I was like, “I know what I’m doing and my body knows what he needs.” If the baby becomes sick your milk will adjust like a medicine. Also, the cost factor, that’s huge. Your body bounces back a lot faster as well. It’s better for you, your baby, your pockets, everything! I wasn’t expecting everything to go as smooth as they are, my goal was six months because with my oldest I was only able to breastfeed for three months, but this time I know I’ll be able to go at least a year. The bond, and when I breastfeed it’s such a good, calming feeling and soothing. I also have access to a room so I can pump at work. Other moms from work who breastfeed share ideas and pointers.”
