I am a true RBG folks!!
IT’S OFFICIAL! I am now certified as a Lactation Specialist (CLS). I got my exam score and certificate in my email.
Although I was super excited and loved spending 45+ hours talking about lactation and breastfeeding, I was very disappointed with the lack of knowledge regarding cultural and socio-economic challenges to initiating breastfeeding and the role of the health care professional (HCP) in supporting this initiation. I, along with many other women there at the training, walked away with the generalization that Black women don’t breastfeed (we’ve ALL heard that right?). I thought about how damaging it was for the message to be perpetuated amongst these 200 some women who were now going to return to there jobs and continue to disempower the women of color that present at their hospitals, birth centers, and private practices.
As a health care provider, if you are “taught” that Black women don’t breastfeed, how committed and dedicated would you be to counter that messaging? Or will you be disinvested and choose not to provide the support a Black woman may need to initiate breastfeeding and continue it at home. Needless to say, this sentiment is a poor generalization and puts all the blame on the mama. What are HCPs doing to help mamas of color? How serious are new mothers being taken when they express their breastfeeding goals to their HCP and they are met with “well, IF you are able to breastfeed” or “it’s a big commitment, do you want to really be bothered?” or better yet, my favorite, “let’s worry about breastfeeding later” (Oh, yes, I’ve heard people tell brown and black mamas this).
HCPs (including myself) need to stop making breastfeeding longevity seem unobtainable. What kind of pump, bottle, etc is important but not as important as just getting started. We need to stop encouraging the myth that breastfeeding more difficult than it needs to be. Some women I’ve talked to have expressed early termination of breastfeeding because they couldn’t afford a particular pump, because the baby wouldn’t take the breast after the nursery nurse gave baby a pacifier, that their milk was late to come in so doc encouraged formula, because their feel like they aren’t making enough milk. No one talked to these women about their options. No one gave them the facts. None of them were empowered to make a holistic and TRULY informed decision.
I am committed and excited to use this information I have learned to help RBG mamas reach their breastfeeding goals. I will continue to learn so that I can understand how to overcome societal and medical barriers and challenges and to increase the breastfeeding initiations and duration in my community.
When they say Black women don’t breastfeed, please know that blanket statement is a lie and that MANY sisters are working diligently to increase our numbers for the benefit of our babies. Now it’s true, for various reasons some mamas just won’t be able to do this at all. And then, some mamas won’t be able to do this for long but doesn’t that mama deserve the information and the creativity to at least look at all the pieces and then be able to make a clear and informed choice?
It is a revolution, y’all.
These baby food and alternative breast milk companies are profit makers and providing these things to our babies isn’t in our best interest. Allergies, eczema, asthma, obesity, common illnesses all can be prevented by simple lactation. And if you can’t get with baby on the breasts, pumping will work too. (Hit me up if you need to know where or how to get a free pump).
Okay, I’m done ranting for now but I will be back with more, sho’ nuff!!
RBG tip #5
As the weather changes, RBG mamas with allergies (like me) are curious about breastfeeding and allergy relief. One of the most exciting things I learned was that the active ingredient in Sudafed cold stops your breast milk. So RBG mamas with allergies, try Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica). Not only does Nettle inhibit the body’s ability to produce histamine it is also a natural galactagogue (milk stimulant). It may take a couple of weeks to notice the difference so start now before allergies get too bad.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with a picture of this RBG nursing my baby during her first days. I have to say, she’s still going strong!
For more info, options, or to see/read about other RBGs, go to*:
Free to Breastfeed: Voices from Black Mothers
Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association
ROSE (Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere)
Your Guide to Breastfeeding For African American Women
First Lady’s Let’s Move Campaign and Breastfeeding Promotion
U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)
*it’s better at home wants readers to decide for themselves their own options. we do not offer these resources as endorsement nor support of what is discussed (although many ARE kick ass!).
PEACE!
Congrats on your certification! We need more doulas, lactation specialists, and midwives! I have so many friends and peers who wanted to breastfeed and/or wanted a ‘natural’ birth and they simply didn’t have the support or confidence they needed to do so. Please let me know if you do phone consultations and services for people from afar and what you charge because I keep on running into women who need help!
Best,
Breeze
Thanks Breeze! I appreciate the comment. I get so totally frustrated by the lack of support. It can really be the breaking point for some women. We need more birth workers and healers of color…but I know I’m preaching to the choir.;P
You are amazing. I am glad that I’m not moving to Appleton because we need to hang out more! Beautiful photo!
I’m SOOOO glad you’re not moving. I was going to be so sad. Play date soon?
Beautiful Article Ningo. I think another factor that most women are not breastfeeding anymore is the change of roles. More and more women have alot more responsibilities to take care and the child doesn’t come 1st anymore. No excuses though!
what about our roles in the community? how come there isn’t the intergenerational trickle down of knowledge? why are docs “right” and aunites “wrong”? It is all maddening!
WHOOT!!! Well said sis!! You are so right and such good points as usual. Of course if you are taught that we “don’t breastfeed” you will act from the place of “she doesn’t want to anyway” Reminds me of the way they “educate” our children who are “tough to teach” Thanks always for your insight and congrats on your new certification! Keep the revolution going!!
thanks sis! and thanks for your work in this revolution!! you are so right! it’s the throw-your-hands-in-the-air attitude we have to conquer. keep writing and let’s keep working on our message.
Beautyful!!!
Congrats on the certification. I know in always saying we should talk, but I have more ideas on how to work with your allergies, so let’s talk soon, mama! It is ridiculously irresponsible to just put it out there that black women have low breastfeeding rates and give no context for lactation consultants to utilize in building rapport and poviding their services. Major fail!
Oh, and you are absolutely an RBG shining and whatnot in the photo. Love it!
thanks so much sis! All i can say is Brown Mamas Breastfeed!!! Love love love it!