In 2018, the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project turned its focus to black breastfeeding mothers. We always made an effort to support all women (and those who identify as women) who ever have or currently do breastfeed/breastMILKfeed their children. Even still I recognized that the representation of moms of color could be stronger. “The more you see something, the more normal it becomes” has always been my mantra. I know firsthand the power of photography in supporting, encouraging and educating our communities. Because of that I have committed to celebrating more BIPOC outside of Black Breastfeeding Week .
I want to reshare these words from Flower of Life Doula Service’s instagram page, along with some of my personal favorite images I’ve taken of BIPOC women in Austin.
“Why is #blackbreastfeedingweek So important? Because we’ve only had the CHOICE to nourish our babies with our milk for about 160 years.
Because before that, our ancestors were forced to leave their babies to breastfeed the children of slave owners. Often times at the expense of their babies dying.
Because now, statistically black womxn have the lowest rate of breastfeeding initiation & duration in the USA.
Because this isn’t a coincidence. Inter-generational trauma + mis-education + systematic oppression/racism are woven deep into these statistics.”
The thoughts and stories these women pictured below have shared with me are moving and inspiring and need to be celebrated and shared. Read through to find out why.
“I began my breastfeeding journey July 24, 2016 with my daughter Peyton. I had no idea what I was doing, I didn’t have anyone in my family to consult since no one in my generation or the generation before breastfed. I utilized social media, Mom’s Place and a woman I dubbed my “breast-friend” to educate me. She gave me milk when my supply was low, showed me how to hand express, and kept me motivated when I wanted to quit. I’m currently breastfeeding my son, Dillon, who was born 5/25/2018. It’s easier to get the hang of it all now. Our goal is to make it at least until 12 months, because I know the first year is critical in their development and sets the tone for the future.”– Kimberly, Mother of 2
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
“The best part about being a nursing mother when travelling outside the U.S. is seeing a plethora of other mothers nursing. For me, there is a sense of solidarity and a feeling of being included in a worldwide movement. I didn’t grow up seeing women breastfeed. I don’t come from a family with a history of breastfeeding. Didn’t see it much in my inner city community either. Now, living in my neighborhood in “progressive” Austin, I’m more likely to see nursing moms at parks, libraries, and restaurants. But, rarely do these women look like me. Being abroad and seeing a higher percentage of breastfeeding moms is amazing. Better still, is seeing breastfeeding WOC in these countries. This past summer we travelled with the girls to Paris, Amsterdam, and Cape Town. In each of those cities, I was proud to witness WOC breastfeeding freely. Worldwide, WOC tend to have higher rates of breastfeeding, so I wasn’t surprised to see moms openly nursing on the train. (Nor was I shy about nursing at the sidewalk cafes.) However, in the U.S. Black babies are 21% less likely to have ever been breastfed than white babies and only 24% of Black mothers breastfeed up to a year. With such low percentages, it’s always a proud moment when I see, or am nursing in the same space as another WOC…even if thousands of miles away. Breastfeeding while Black can be an isolating experience, and I look forward to the day that it becomes normalized.” – Sharonda, Mother of 3
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
“Primarily, I nurse in public to meet the needs of my son, and secondly for my daughter to witness and grow up believing it to be a beautiful, natural act. Though I also do it for the mom who is still struggling at home trying to nurse her 3 or 5 month old – lacking support and questioning each latch; struggling with oral ties and painful nipples — I was there too. When I breastfeed openly I like to believe I’m helping to pave the way for her to sit in public after me, when she and her babe ready.” – Morgan, Mother of 2
.jpg)
.jpg)
“I have a newfound sense of motherhood, womanhood, and being primal through breastfeeding. Breastfeeding in public started out as something that felt unnatural and uncomfortable, but has turned into something empowering, rewarding, and enriching. It comes down to my right to feed my child, and my child’s right to be fed. There is nothing more simple or natural than that.” – Pragati, Mother of 2
.jpg)
.jpg)
If you want to know how you can support black breastfeeding moms read HERE.
