12th Annual Black Breastfeeding Week Highlights the Role of “First Foods” in Boosting Black Maternal and Infant Health

Black Breastfeeding Week, the only nationwide initiative focused on improving Black maternal and infant health through breastfeeding, marks its 12th year from August 25-31.

This year’s theme, “Listen Up! Reclaiming Our Narrative & Centering Our Stories for Breastfeeding Justice,” emphasizes the importance of storytelling in changing cultural norms around infant feeding within Black communities.

The week-long campaign will feature a series of events, including an online Storytelling Festival where participants can share their breastfeeding experiences, and Open Mic Nights for Black parents.

These events will take place in Oakland on August 25, in New York City on August 28, and virtually on August 30, streaming live on Black Breastfeeding Week’s Facebook page.

The Open Mic Nights will showcase poems, songs, and personal stories related to birth and breastfeeding, hosted by prominent figures such as actress and rapper Tia Nomore, comedian Nicky Sunshine, and maternal health advocate Angelina Spicer.

Kimberly Seals Allers, co-founder of Black Breastfeeding Week and a former senior editor at Essence magazine, emphasizes the importance of reclaiming breastfeeding as a tradition that was historically denied to Black women.

“Our stories have the power to change cultural norms and challenge public health policies that fail to provide culturally relevant lactation support,” Allers said.

According to the CDC, only 75% of Black infants are ever breastfed, compared to 86% of white infants and nearly 93% of Asian infants.

The rate drops significantly at 6 and 12 months. Contributing factors include a lack of culturally relevant lactation support and aggressive marketing of infant formula in Black communities.

However, increasing the rates among Black women is crucial to improving maternal and child health outcomes and reducing infant mortality rates.

Other events during Black Breastfeeding Week include:

• Irth App Lactation Line: From August 25-30, the Irth App will host an in-app Lactation Line to support Black parents.

• Storytelling as Support Webinar: On August 28 at 1 pm EST, MomsRising will host a webinar featuring leading Black breastfeeding researchers and advocates, discussing the role of storytelling in driving change.

Black Breastfeeding Week, founded in 2013 by Kimberly Seals Allers, Kiddada Green, and Anayah Ayoka, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and empower Black families to support healthy infants.

Over the years, the campaign has been celebrated with over 1,200 community events and has reached millions through social media.

The initiative also focuses on broader health issues, including early literacy and good nutrition..