Nurturing Roots: A Brief History of Black Breastfeeding

It's Black history month, and while we celebrate Black history all year long, this is a particularly special time to honor and remember those who have created legacies contributing to American history. 
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Breastfeeding, an act as old as humanity itself, carries deep cultural significance across various communities worldwide. In the context of Black history, the practice of breastfeeding holds a multifaceted narrative intertwined with resilience, struggle, and cultural preservation.

Throughout history, Black women have played a pivotal role in nurturing their children through breastfeeding, despite facing numerous challenges and systemic barriers. The journey of Black breastfeeding encompasses both historical triumphs and ongoing battles for recognition, support, and empowerment.

In the era of slavery in the United States, enslaved Black women often served as wet nurses, breastfeeding white children while their own infants were neglected or forcibly separated from them. This painful legacy underscores the exploitation and dehumanization endured by Black women, whose motherhood was commodified for the benefit of slave owners.

Despite the oppressive conditions of slavery, Black mothers maintained a deep connection to breastfeeding as a means of nourishing and bonding with their children. Within Black communities, breastfeeding served as a symbol of resilience and defiance against the dehumanizing forces of slavery.

As the struggle for civil rights gained momentum in the 20th century, Black women played a central role in advocating for breastfeeding rights and challenging racial disparities in maternal and infant health. Organizations such as the Black Women's Health Imperative and the Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association emerged to address the unique challenges faced by Black breastfeeding mothers, including lack of access to lactation support, cultural stigma, and disparities in healthcare access.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Black breastfeeding advocacy and support, driven by grassroots movements and community-based organizations. These efforts aim to reclaim and celebrate the cultural significance of breastfeeding within Black communities while addressing systemic inequities in maternal and infant health.

Today, Black breastfeeding advocates continue to champion initiatives aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates, improving access to lactation support services, and challenging societal norms that perpetuate racial disparities in breastfeeding outcomes.

The history of Black breastfeeding is a testament to the strength, resilience, and cultural heritage of Black women and communities. It is a story of survival, resistance, and empowerment—a journey marked by triumphs, setbacks, and ongoing struggles for equity and justice.

As we reflect on this rich history, let us honor the legacy of Black breastfeeding pioneers and reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where all mothers have the support, resources, and respect they need to nourish and nurture their children.

Chardá Bell, IBCLC
​Executive Director