Black Mom Promotes Breastfeeding and Highlights COVID-19 Challenges

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was lack of clear research on whether the coronavirus could be transmitted via breast milk. Various medical institutions in the United States and overseas Paid varying degrees of attention Their recommendation, and at the hospital I called myself Whether to encourage breastfeeding in the maternity ward.

Most major health organizations now agree. It is best to encourage new mothers to breastfeed, even if they are exposed or positive to COVID-19.

Research has not found that the coronavirus may be inherited via lactation, and The immune effects of breast milk are likely to outweigh the risksThe expert says. But the early confusion on this topic may have erased some new moms, said Auckland-based breastfeeding consultant Ta Nefer Camara.

“There was a lot of mixed messages,” she said. “Some people were told not to breastfeed…If you were to breastfeed you were told that you must wear a mask, 6 feet away from your baby. …It all sounded like impossible. “

Kamala says this may have discouraged black women who are already less likely to breastfeed than women of other races. In California, Only 61% of black moms starting breastfeeding in hospitals, Compared to 81% of white moms.

To further complicate matters, many hospitals limit the number of people who can interact with obstetric patients, and send moms home 24 hours later, Kamala says.

“The first 24 hours after being hospitalized has little to do with breastfeeding,” she said. “But that second day, the second night when milk comes in, when the breasts begin to fill, when people need support.”

American women are celebrating Black breastfeeding week Expect more women to continue practicing from now until the end of August. Supporters Opportunity to fight problematic history Of a black woman being forced to breastfeed a slave owner’s child. Supporters say sister relationships, information, and best practices are important to helping black women feel comfortable nursing.

And such motivations are especially important during this stressful time, said Tyla Gross, who studies maternal health at the University of Louisiana at Xavier. She gave birth to a boy three months ago.

“He was a child of an American black man and was born in the midst of pandemics and political unrest and police atrocities and all of these all,” she said. “How can I balance breastfeeding relationships with all the other stresses of society? Balancing multiple children and husbands and being in the sandwich generation of older parents? “

Gross pointed out that because of the pandemic, many of the grandparents who usually help baby care remain isolated and can overwhelm the new mom.

Still, she says it is important for doctors and public health groups to encourage women, especially black women, to concentrate on breastfeeding for the health of themselves and their infants.

“Even with the transmission of the disease… Previous studies before COVID have shown that breastfeeding generally helps babies’ health and development,” she said. “When I think about safety, I think of a longer term situation.”

In California, breastfeeding advocates are working hard to clarify that the immune effects on moms and babies can provide some protection from the virus.

Robbie Gonzalez Dow, executive director of the California Breastfeeding Coalition, said he increased the provision of education during the pandemic.

“This is not the time to really make a profit,” she said. “It’s not just about your baby’s health, but a lot of moms breastfeed, and I’m not sure if the message is always there.”

Black women nationwide Post Photos of This Week’s Breastfeeding In an effort to break the prejudice about their community practice.

---

CapRadio provides a reliable news source thanks to you. As a non-profit organization, donations from people like you support journalism and enable us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in our activities and support our mission, Donate today..

Donate today