African-American Moms Need More Breastfeeding Support

Aisha Qaasim, a civil rights attorney and writer based in Redondo Beach, CA, is doing her best to awareness for stronger cultural breastfeeding support. She's most concerned about African-American moms, who have the lowest rates of breastfeeding. As Ms. Qaasim sat in a shopping mall nursing her 2-month old baby, she heard a passerby comment that it was "the most disgusting thing [she had] ever seen." She believes that it is these attitudes that are making African-American babies sick as they are the least likely population to receive breast milk. She states, "Our babies are more than twice as likely to die before age 1 than Asian, Latino or white babies. A 2001 study in Pediatrics concluded that an increase in African American breastfeeding rates alone could reduce this disparity."

The key is giving African-American moms the proper knowledge, education and support necessary to make an informed decision about breastfeeding. Explaining the benefits of giving breast milk is a fantastic start. As Qaasim professes, "The positive impact of breast milk on the mental and physical development of children is unparalleled. Want a healthy baby? Put the Baby Einstein videos and hand sanitizer away and breastfeed. All the mammals are doing it. And, our children's health depends on it."