First, Pediatrics published a study conducted by UCSF that seems to indicate that early introduction of formula to newborn infants for weight recovery actually increased exclusive breastfeeding among them when compared to babies who were not given formula. There is flawed reasoning even in the impetus to conduct such a study, especially considering the babies in the study had less than average weight loss and the mothers desired to breastfeed exclusively. Based on this point alone, there was no reason to introduce formula at all. IBCLC Tanya Lieberman breaks down many other flaws in the study in her piece Science You Can Use, including the population size and that one of the co-authors has ties to the two largest formula companies in the U.S.

Other worthy pieces to read that question the scope and methodology of the study include this one by lactation consultant Katrina Pinkerton-Lloyd, ICCE CLEC and this one by Dr. Alison Steube. As usual, the mainstream media is all over this study  with both CNN.com and Time Health & Family running the same piece with the headline “How Formula Could Increase Breastfeeding Rates,” as if this study is definitive.

The second, even more disturbing occurrence is that Similac also announced their newest formula for breastfeeding mothers who wish to “supplement” with formula. Not much that needs to be said about why this is a major booby trap. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but the introduction of a product that will be predictably controversial for its potential to sabotage breastfeeding moms in the same week as a “study” is released that could legitimize its existence with ready-made PR is definitely suspect.

Note: There’s a petition circulating to have Similac halt production of this product.

*Heavy sigh*

When NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg put support behind the Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiatives, I was fit to bust. It was one of those moments that I felt we were making progress in getting critical support in place for mothers to have a successful go at breastfeeding. Despite asinine and uninformed commentary from the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, we know that BFHI has meant higher initiation and continuation rates by women who would ordinarily not receive adequate institutional support for breastfeeding, especially low-income and African-American women. As a breastfeeding advocate in NYC, this rocks my socks.

However, on the national scale, we have a huge problem on our hands. If we don’t put the pressure on our elected officials, Congress is set to pass a budget that would eliminate all funding for the largest breastfeeding support program.

This bill sets aside over $6.9 billion for the WIC program, which spends hundreds of millions ($850 million to be exact in 2009) on formula, but earmarks ZERO for the breastfeeding support program.The WIC peer counselor breastfeeding support program, ” address[es] the barriers to breastfeeding by offering breastfeeding education, support, and role modeling.” The amount sought for the continuation of this program in WIC centers across the country is only $60 million, less than 1/14th of what the WIC program spends with formula companies.

As formula companies continue their attempts simulate breastmilk by adding things like DHA or probiotics, the WIC program is basically bullied into spending above their contract amounts for more expensive products with no proven benefits. Yet, we know the unparalleled benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and mom. According to the USDA, the WIC program is intended to address the “supplemental nutritional needs of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants, and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk.” Annually, they do this for about 53% of all infants born in the US. Without the breastfeeding peer counselor program, they will clearly fall short for many.

Please take a moment to read more and send a letter to your Representative through MomsRising before this budget is finalized next week.

Jamie Lynn Grumet and 3 year old son Aram

Yesterday, TIME Magazine released the image of their latest cover, a not-subtle-at-all promotion of the media-created “Mommy Wars.”

At first, I dismissed the cover as unimportant because I felt so uninvested in the controversy it seeks. Bad breastfeeding advocate! I believe in prioritizing my energy for creating and promoting images and narratives that affirm breastfeeding. Still, I’d like to give some attention to how I believe controversial moments like this relate to our cause.

For starters, extended breastfeeding is neither extreme nor a measure of how much of a mother a mother is. The World Health Organization recommends continuing breastfeeding along with complimentary foods to age 2 and up. I’d say that “up” part is up to the discretion of the parents to deliberate on, not judgey TIME magazine. Furthermore, promoting breastfeeding for its countless health and emotional benefit has ZERO to do with assessing how committed or intentional a mother is in her parenting. This is a terrible lead in to Mother’s Day.

Why don’t these questions come up for men? The corresponding article calls into question the practices of Attachment Parenting (AP), a perspective based on millennia old indigenous practices codified into a parenting philosophy by Dr. William Sears for Americans. AP tools a parent may use include baby wearing, co-sleeping, and breastfeeding. The basic idea being of AP is to prioritize building a strong emotional attachment between parent(s) and child through rearing practices. For some reason, when the mainstream media tries to wrap its head around AP practices, something does not compute correctly and the output ends up being about mommy wars. It’s hogwash! AP is not about mothering; it’s about parenting. Fathers practice relevant AP practices, too. They carry babies in slings and carriers. They support mothers in breastfeeding and/or bottle feed expressed milk. They give infants skin-to-skin contact to foster recognition, warmth, and help regulate baby’s heartbeat. So, I ask you, why does TIME magazine make Attachment Parenting about breastfeeding and mothering extremes? Where are the Daddy Wars?

Moments like this do a disservice to our greater cause to promote breastfeeding to black women who are already excluded from the visible images of successful breastfeeding. We don’t need anyone else to make breastfeeding out to be freakish, exotic or something so unachievable that only the rich and beautiful can afford to be successful at it. Shame on you, TIME!

The other ugly side of the mainstream media trying to address AP is that it often leads to the illogical conclusion that AP is anti-feminism. Last I checked, feminism is about a woman having the choice to do what she feels best. Let us assume that the vast majority of women reading patenting books and blogs are still savvy enough to incorporate the information in ways that work for their lives and priorities. When a woman makes a health and parenting decision that we wouldn’t choose, the feminist thing to do is make sure she has the political and cultural support to see it through.

Now, do I really need to say this? The picture is a bit over the top. Why is the boy standing on a chair? Toddlers go to uncomfortable measure to keep themselves entertained while they nurse, so it’s far from me to say what’s normal for Jamie and Aram. However, that TIME ran this photo with that subtitle is just salacious for no reason. A non-exaggerated breastfeeding photo on the cover of a major magazine would’ve turned enough heads on its own, this is just silly and overdone. This breastfeeding advocate just wants to see breastfeeding normalized, especially for black women. So, Essence, Ebony, Vibe Vixen, etc. will you be our allies? How about a normal, yet beautiful cover of one of our brown mama beauties breastfeeding?

Free to Breastfeed: Voices from Black Mothers, the book, is in the home stretch and scheduled to be released soon. We want you beautiful, breastfeeding, Black mothers to come out and hang with us for our cover art photo shoot!

Free to Breastfeed Photo Shoot & Cafe

Saturday, March 31, 2012

3-6 pm

618 S Michigan Ave. (cross street Balboa)

Chicago, IL 60605

Bring you gorgeous selves, your babies, and your smiles for a amazing afternoon of breastfeeding goodness!

Meet other Black breastfeeding mothers!

Share your breastfeeding stories!

Be on the cover of Free to Breastfeed: Voices from Black Mothers!

Spread the word!!!

For more info email: jeanine@freetobreastfeed.com.

A rap song about breastfeeding no doubt!

I just finished listening to this lyrically amazing song Food for Thought by Njeri Earth.

Njeri Amira-Nana Earth is a mother of four, wife, daughter, sister, Hip Hop artist and musician, child care provider, business owner, youth mentor, and holds a B.A. in Organizational Management with a minor in Child Development; among other things.

Fans might recognize her from her earlier years in hip hop with her collaborations with the Wu-Tang clan’s GZA/Genius album “Beneath the Surface on songs “1112″ and “Victim” and the again as the “3rd Parking Lot Rapper” in Eminem’s ” movie 8 Miles.” Releasing her first album “Supa Sista” in 2005 and then the follow up albums “20-20″ in 2007 and “The Best Part” in 2008. She back now with the upcoming release “The Highest Elevation” with features this breastfeeding gift of love, Food for Thought.

Although this sista has been out for some time, the song Food for Thought is spreading through the breastfeeding advocacy community like some good gossip. With breastfeeding, Black women becoming increasingly more visible in mainstream this song is right on time.

Check out the Food for Thought lyrics below and Njeri Earth Facebook page here.

I nurse my babies from my bosom, so U can put the Similac back
The breast is best and that’s an actual fact
Unfortunately some don’t see it like that,
A woman’s chest is just for sex, may I suggest that’s foolishness
I was blessed with these to nourish my seeds
Gives em’ what they need, antibodies to combat disease, so please
Spare me your staring, snickering, and snaring,
As I’m preparing to swaddle, my babies need no bottles
Nor a pacifier, because they’re satisfied
And ain’t no other food that money buys able to give what Mother’s Milk provides
So why must, I be mocked and criticized,
Told to stay behind closed doors, like I’m breaking a law
Or doing something that’s wrong, by feeding my new borns,
And covering with a shawl where U can’t even see my bra, naw
Ya’ll dead wrong for try’na censor Mother’s Nature
Maybe U would be greater if ya mama gave ya
(Food For Thought; Designed for the mind and it can’t be bought;
No matter how they try with the lie that’s taught;
That formula is all your babies need, I encourage my sisters to Breast Feed)-

Lyrics By: Njeri Earth, from the song “Food For Thought,” – (Inspired by the Breastfeeding Mothers Unite organization) on the album “The Highest Elevation”; coming soon. PEACE!

I wouldn’t say we’ve been waiting with baited breath to find out. However, when the new mom’s name is mentioned, my first statement is usually, “I hope she’s breastfeeding!” Well, according to Us Weekly, she was spotted not only breastfeeding, but doing so in public:

And Beyonce nursed her little girl at her the table, an observer tells Us Weekly. Two additional sources confirm to Us that the first-time mom has been breastfeeding her daughter.

She may have joined the FtB club after all. *swoon* As a mother who finds breastfeeding to be a true gift in bonding with my child that has also engendered in me a profound sense of empowerment at being able to nourish him, I wish the same for every other mother. May we all have the support we need to do so!

Well, this time we will be raffling an adorable breastfeeding awareness hat from The Bear and Dragonfly Hats handmade by Caffeinated Catholic Mama.

So, you HAVE to have this hat? Right?!

As you may know, one of the goals of this site is to increase the visibility of black women breastfeeding as well as promote support for breastfeeding mothers thus the “Pass it On” Giveaways. So, go ahead and share your best breastfeeding tip! The responses will be published on this site along with your name for visitors to learn from your wisdom. Just for sharing and socializing, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win this cute little cap for your little one from The Bear and Dragonfly Hats handmade by Caffeinated Catholic Mama.

To enter the contest, all you have to do is 1) share your best breastfeeding tip for other mothers to benefit in the comments section; 2) spread some love on Caffeinated Catholic Mama’s Facebook page; and, 3) “Like” us on Facebook.

Karianna (Caffeinated Catholic Mama) is a thirty-something Catholic-Convert wife and mother living in SoCal. When not parenting, knitting, reading or writing, you can find her crusin’ around in the Swagger Wagon looking for the nearest drive-thru coffee shop.
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I am so happy to share with you this list of black women who breastfeed! If you check the current data on black women and breastfeeding you’ll most likely find reports saying that we do not breastfeed, we have the lowest rates, we only breastfeed for 3-6 months, etc.

I would like to know where are the studies talking about the black women that do breastfeed?

There are websites, Facebook pages, Twitter Accounts and Blogs dedicated to black women breastfeeding. I’m not saying the data is wrong, but I don’t believe it’s as dire as they claim it to be either.

I know that black women breastfeed, and the evidence is right here on this website.

Some women chose to list how many children and for how long they breastfed. Some chose not to, and that’s ok. It doesn’t mean they didn’t breastfeed for a certain amount of time, they simply chose not to include that information.  This list includes black women from all walks of life. Mama’s to one child, some to three, and six children. Married mama’s, single mama’s…some work, others stay home.  Some nursed for 6 months – while others tandem nursed for years.  Some used donor milk  – others induced lactation.

Lets get started…

Marilyn

Kalina

Deesha

Toya

Jatika – and her cousin Shanetra.

@lawgurl both children

Dee 4 children: Last one currently nursing now over 2 yrs old.

Melek: Battled through biting issues and low supply from 9 months until he weaned at 12 months.

Dianthe: Breastfeeding for 4 years…on 2nd baby and tandem nursed for a year.

Monique: 13 months and counting! her mom, cousins and aunts also breastfed their children.

Angela: Breastfed all four of her children.

Natasha: 29 months and counting!

Sylvia: Tandem nursed 2.5 yr old and 3.5 yr old until she was 7 months pregnant. She weaned them at that time and is now nursing her 3rd baby.

Tiffony: Breasted my two for 2.5 years each. Was breast fed by my mom until age 3.

Jamita: nursing for almost 6 yrs. 2 yrs w/Myles, 2.5 yrs w/Myla and currently nursing Mylex 14 months.

Tamika: Breastfed for 27 months until she had to have oral surgery and was placed on medications for it.

Tiffany: Breastfed both of her older children, and planning to breastfeed her newest arrival as well.

Kimberly: Breastfed her first until he was 27 months, and currently nursing her 19 month old.

Kimberley: Induced lactation and breastfed two adopted daughters. Her oldest breastfed for 13 months but continued to receive breastmilk until she was 28mos. Her youngest breastfed for 10 mos but continues to receive breastmilk and she is 14 mos. They both come off the breast when they were teething, milk not coming fast enough and constant biting. Side note: They both received donor milk PAID FOR by Medicaid.

Pamela: Breastfeeding her son at 14 months. She plans to continue until he is 18 months.

Michelle: Currently breastfeeding her three-month old.

Tiffany C.: Breastfed her first till she was 14 months old; her second till she was 21 months old; and plans to breastfeed her new baby as long as we can!

Chalis: Breast fed her 1st for almost a year (14 years ago) & currently breastfeeding her 4 month old!

Kimberly D.: Breastfed her first until she was 3 yrs, her second until he was 3 yrs, her third until she was 3 yrs, her fourth until she was 4 yrs, her fifth until he was 4.5 yrs, and currently bf her 6th who is almost 6 months old♥

Courtney: Nursed her son until about age 25 mo, planning to let the baby still in the oven self wean.

Kornika: 10 months and counting!

Bianca: Breastfed for 6 months.

Rashanna: Breast fed all three of hers; 8 months was the longest.

Sheril: Breastfed five for a year each!

Kristal: Not only was she a breastfeeding peer helper for the WIC office, she also nursed her FAB 5…. One for 3 years… Breast ONLY!

Adiaha: breastfed two daughters. One for 2.5 yrs and the other up until one week before her third birthday.

Kanyla: happily breastfeeding for 7 months and plans to continue until her baby girl is ready to stop

I also breastfed all three of my children. My first for 10 months, my 2nd for 29 months and my 3rd 21 months and counting!

Black Women Do Breastfeed is a Blog/Facebook page is about making the community of black breastfeeding moms visible. If you’re on Twitter follow along @BlkWmnDoBF.

Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association is a non-profit organization increasing awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding throughout the African American community. Follow them on Twitter @BMBFA.

Blacktating features Breastfeeding news and views from a mom of color. Elita’s blog was talked about on TMZ! Check out the post here. Follow her on Twitter @Blacktating.

Did you know that Michelle Obama breastfed her daughters? Erykah Badu has breastfed all of her children and is seen breastfeeding her daughter in one of her music videos.

Then, there is this video on Black Women Breastfeeding:  A Multi-generational Story.

As you can see, there are plenty of black women breastfeeding. Thousands even! We have since the beginning of time, and will continue to do so.

When I put the call out for women to have their name included I wasn’t shocked by the response, but very happy and excited that so many of you responded. Thank you so much to all who shared with us!

If you breastfed your child would you please leave a comment for others to see that black women do indeed breastfeed.

Written by Darcel Harmon, wife, mama, wannabe writer, {home}birth junkie, unschooler, and spicy food lover who has an obsession for lip gloss, love wearing heels, big earrings, jeans and t-shirts. Check out her blog at The Mahogany Way.

Breeze & Sun (Newborn)

I only have one child so far but am still breastfeeding him and he is 25 months old. I solely breastfed him up until he was 18 months, then started him on solid foods.

I learned it was the best way to provide balanced nutrition for a baby.

What do you love about breastfeeding?

Bonding and intimacy. Love that he feels safe and secure when he is in my arms.