11 Things I Never Knew About Black Women And Breastfeeding Until I Spoke With A Professional Doula

To celebrate the final day of Black Breastfeeding Week, I spoke with Shanille Bowens of Naturally Nurtured Birth Services in Memphis, Tennessee to learn more about the disparities and challenges Black women face when it comes to nursing.

Black Breastfeeding Week is held during the final week of August (which is National Breastfeeding Month), and sheds light on the disparities between Black moms and mothers of other races, which include higher infant mortality rates, lack of diversity in the lactation field, the complex historical connection between slavery and breastfeeding, amongst other things.

Not only is Shanille the founder and executive director of Naturally Nurtured, but she's also a birth and postpartum doula, a lactation counselor, a pregnancy and infant-loss doula, and a mother of six.

Naturally Nurtured is a Memphis-based doula service that provides expecting mothers with the support and resources they need to ensure both the mom and baby are comfortable and prepared for childbirth. A doula lends emotional, physical, and informational help throughout the pregnancy journey.

Here are some of the things I learned about the stigmas between Black women and breastfeeding, as well as some important do's and don'ts when nursing:

1.According to Shanille, Black women were made to believe breastfeeding was "shunned" upon and "nasty."

"Culturally, amongst Black families, and historically, breastfeeding was kind of shunned upon. Of course, [breastfeeding] was our first go-to, but at one point in time when formula came around, breastfeeding was said to be kind of nasty."

She also mentioned the shame society placed on people who weren't able to afford formula, as if people who breastfed only did so because they couldn't buy formula. "[It made] many people take a step back from breastfeeding."

2.Black women are more likely to face bias and/or discrimination while visiting healthcare professionals.

"Sometimes, when moms are in the hospital, you might have different biases among doctors, hospital staff, and nurses. They might not put as much effort into showing moms how to breastfeed, what's appropriate, or give them correct input and training because they automatically assume that Black women aren't going to breastfeed anyway. Not only does it limit our capabilities, but it can also be very discouraging, which is why people give up [on breastfeeding] sometimes."

According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, many medical students still believe there are biological differences between Black and non-white individuals, and that Black people have a higher tolerance to pain. This misconception has led to cases of medical professionals ignoring and/or not properly treating Black women's concerns.

According to the CDC, Black women are also 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than non-POC, often from preventable conditions.

3.Lack of resources plays a big role.

"Access to some of the resources to make breastfeeding much easier aren't available."

Shanille noted everything from lactation specialists being available in their neighborhoods to a lack of transportation being an issue, as some of the resources that aren't always available to women in need of medical assistance. Thankfully, Naturally Nurtured Birth Services offers all of these options and more.

According to the National Institutes of Health, "Breastfeeding disparities and inequities have persisted in these Black communities for >400 years, since the chattel enslavement of African women and families. Systemic racism, inequitable access to resources and support, and inadequate diversity among the lactation workforce are root causes and drivers of these disparities and inequities."

4.A lot of families are dealing with unrealistic expectations as to what breastfeeding should look like.

"That typically stems from not seeing good examples of breastfeeding around them. Sometimes, you might see formula bottles at the hospital sitting nice and pretty, big, full two-ounce bottles. First off, when you have a newborn, we're not producing two-ounce bottles. And that's perfectly fine. Our bodies make exactly what your baby needs. You produce colostrum — it's only a few drips, but it's just what your baby needs.

A lot of moms start off thinking they're inadequate because they're not producing enough, which then makes them think their baby will starve or be hungry, so they give in and get formula."

5.Formula companies often push their products on new mothers without their consent.

"We have formula companies who are really big on sending out those formula samples, without you even signing up for them. I have six kids, and I've received a box of formula in the mail for all of them, but I never signed up for it, and I never asked for it. I breastfed all of my children. There's an agenda out there that makes it hard to stay on track."

6.Breastfeeding is a team effort. Many women aren't aware of the services available to them in their community, oftentimes because healthcare workers won't offer them or they assume women already know about them.

"Having access to support, having access to lactation support, choosing pediatricians that have lactation staff on-site with them, as well as choosing a pediatrician who is breastfeeding-friendly versus breastfeeding-tolerant" are all things women should take into consideration, according to Shanille.

"It's a team effort making your breastfeeding journey successful," she added.

7.Build your birth support team! Shanille continued to stress the importance of having a tribe of people to turn to while you're pregnant and postpartum.

"[Naturally Nurtured Birth Services] builds a team throughout. We plan the baby showers, we plan the gender reveals, etc. Plan what your support system will look like, plan postpartum — who's going to be your biggest support system? Who can you lean on when things get a little rough? Talk to other people who have breastfed; they're going to be your biggest support system. Figure out your 'norm' and know that there will be challenges, and that's okay."

She added that your partner, if you have one, should also be part of your community, providing support throughout your pregnancy and the choices you make during it.

8.The first two weeks of nursing are the hardest.

"I've had moms whose goal is to just make it through the first three weeks of breastfeeding. I'm like, okay, if that's your goal, then that's mine, too. If you can make it past those first two weeks, you have a good chance — you can do it. Whatever their goals are, whether it's six months or a year, or more, we aim to make sure they reach it."

9.Motherhood can feel isolating. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Shanille believes shared experiences are the best way to learn. It also helps people realize they're not alone.

"If we simply ask someone else, 'Hey, I'm experiencing this, this, and this, Has this happened to you,' we can see just how normal some of these challenges are. But because motherhood, especially early motherhood, is so isolating, we feel like everything is happening only to us."

Moms, particularly new moms, sometimes brush off their questions and concerns, viewing them as "silly."

10.Beware of taking advice from social media.

"I hate when I see these overproducers on social media. They're filling their fridge with tons of [breast]milk. That's not the goal. You don't want to overproduce because that's a whole list of other problems. Seeing images like that can be discouraging."

According to the Nationwide Children's Hospital, "moms with an over-supply, or too much milk, are at increased risk of mastitis and plugged ducts."

11.Lastly, breastmilk is beneficial for the mother and baby in ways that many people don't realize.

"Breast is best because it results in better gastrointestinal responses for the baby, and moms are less likely to develop breast cancer." According to the National Institute of Health, the "risk of breast cancer is reduced by 4.3% for every 12 months of breastfeeding."

"Babies are also less likely to suffer from obesity," continued Shanille. "Breastfed babies, overall, are healthier. Breastfeeding helps the mom's uterus shrink back down and helps decrease bleeding." And of course, it promotes bonding between the mother and child. Oxytocin is released during nursing, so the love is felt both ways.

According to the CDC, breastfed babies also have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, and stomach bugs.

Thank you so much for speaking to me, Shanille!

If you or someone you know has worked with a doula or is breastfeeding, feel free to share your story below!