Nationally, Black women have the lowest rates of breastfeeding initiation in comparison to any other racial/ethnic groups. Black babies are dying at twice the rate of White babies and according to the CDC, increasing breastfeeding among Black women can decrease infant mortality rates up to 50 percent.
In honor of Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25th – 31st), we partnered with the BreastFriends Mommy Group in West Oakland to explore why these rates look different for Black women and specifically how COVID-19 is affecting breastfeeding support for everyone.
Resources from our panelist
Should Infants Be Separated from Mothers with COVID19? First, Do No Harm
By Dr. Alison Stube
Breastfeed Med. May 2020; 15(5): 351–352.
Published online 2020 May 8. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2020.29153.ams
COVID-19 Is No Reason to Abandon Pregnant People
By Dr. Monica R. McLemore
Scientific American
CDPH Visitor Limitations Guidance
Shared Decision-Making Handout
ENGLISH
SPANISH
COVID-19 Webinars and Current WHO and CDC Guidelines
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