Catasha Davis1, Aubrey Van Kirk Villalobos1,2, Monique Mitchell Turner3, Sahira Long4, Maria Knight Lapinski5. 1. Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. 2. The GW Cancer Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. 3. Department of Communication, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA. 4. Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. 5. Department of Communication and Michigan AgBio Research, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Abstract
Background: Nearly 75% of Black non-Hispanic babies born in 2016 ever breastfed. However, Black mothers still experience barriers to breastfeeding, perpetuating disparities in exclusivity and duration. Subjects and Methods: Using data collected from five focus groups with Black mothers (N = 30) in Washington, District of Columbia during summer 2019, we critically examine the influence of institutionalized and personally mediated racism on breastfeeding. We also explore the counter-narratives Black women use to resist oppression and deal with these barriers. Results: Themes surrounding institutionalized racism included historic exploitation, institutions pushing formula, and lack of economic and employment supports. Themes regarding how personally mediated racism manifested included health care interactions and shaming/stigma while feeding in public. At each level examined, themes of resistance were also identified. Themes of resistance to institutionalized racism were economic empowerment and institutions protecting breastfeeding. Themes of resistance to personally mediated biases were rejecting health provider bias and building community. Conclusions: There are opportunities for health providers and systems to break down barriers to breastfeeding for Black women. These include changes in clinical training and practice as well as clinicians leveraging their position and lending their voices in advocacy efforts.
Background: Nearly 75% of Black non-Hispanic babies born in 2016 ever breastfed. However, Black mothers still experience barriers to breastfeeding, perpetuating disparities in exclusivity and duration. Subjects and Methods: Using data collected from five focus groups with Black mothers (N = 30) in Washington, District of Columbia during summer 2019, we critically examine the influence of institutionalized and personally mediated racism on breastfeeding. We also explore the counter-narratives Black women use to resist oppression and deal with these barriers. Results: Themes surrounding institutionalized racism included historic exploitation, institutions pushing formula, and lack of economic and employment supports. Themes regarding how personally mediated racism manifested included health care interactions and shaming/stigma while feeding in public. At each level examined, themes of resistance were also identified. Themes of resistance to institutionalized racism were economic empowerment and institutions protecting breastfeeding. Themes of resistance to personally mediated biases were rejecting health provider bias and building community. Conclusions: There are opportunities for health providers and systems to break down barriers to breastfeeding for Black women. These include changes in clinical training and practice as well as clinicians leveraging their position and lending their voices in advocacy efforts.
Entities:
Keywords:
Black mothers; breastfeeding; critical race theory; racism
Authors: Shannon E Whaley; Maria Koleilat; Mike Whaley; Judy Gomez; Karen Meehan; Kiran Saluja Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-10-18 Impact factor: 9.308