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Michelle Obama Talks Breastfeeding
Establishing breastfeeding after birth
In a talk on how to turn the tide on childhood obesity, Michelle Obama stressed the importance of promoting breastfeeding, especially within black communities.
Here’s what she had to say:
…because it’s important to prevent obesity early, we’re also working to promote breastfeeding, especially in the black community — (applause) — where 40 percent of our babies never get breast-fed at all, even in the first weeks of life, and we know that babies that are breast-fed are less likely to be obese as children.
It’s a short speech, and she didn’t go into a lot of detail about how she intends to promote breastfeeding, but it was great to hear her mention it at all.
A recent CDC report says 75% of women initiate breastfeeding with their newborns. That only 60% of black women do suggests a lot of work to be done. Kudos to Ms. Obama for including this in her mission to help kids eat healthier.
Photo: edenpictures
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0 Comments
Magnoliama commented on Sep 16 10 at 8:41 pmAwesome news! I’ve been waiting to hear her address the importance of breastfeeding in childhood obesity.
Mistress_Scorpio commented on Sep 17 10 at 12:04 amI’m usually the only black mom at breastfeeding support meetings… glad to hear Michelle Obama speaking on this subject.
Linda commented on Sep 17 10 at 2:24 amGood for her!
Manjari commented on Sep 17 10 at 9:32 amI’m glad she’s addressing this too. I wonder if part of the issue is related to income rather than just race. I think breastfeeding support (rather than just free formula) would be helpful for ANY new mom, and that support seems to be less available to lower income moms.
Mistress_Scorpio commented on Sep 17 10 at 10:51 amThere definitely is the issue of less support available to lower income moms, but that goes for birth and beyond. Also you have the formula companies biggest purchaser… the government… providing formula to low income moms through WIC. If you thought hospital bags were a pushy form of marketing to new moms, you haven’t begun to see how they market to communities of color. Then there is the fact that many of these moms don’t have leave of any kind from their jobs, no place to pump even if they wanted to and not much support from their families or community. It’s pretty awful, especially given that back in the day, women of color and low-income women were usually wet nurses for the privileged classes. With the rise of formula use came “a better life through chemistry,” and nursing was something only the lower classes did.
Manjari commented on Sep 17 10 at 11:41 amI have seen exactly what you’re talking about with WIC, M_S, and I completely agree. Also agree that lower paying jobs are often the least family friendly. It’s a complicated problem, and I’m glad our first lady is talking about it.
mbaker commented on Sep 18 10 at 7:15 pmIt would be nice if moms on WIC could opt for a “rental” breast pump and storage bags instead of formula. I am interested in starting a charity that would donate breast feeding and pumping supplies to low income mothers. Does anyone know about a charity that already does that?
Twintown commented on Sep 20 10 at 11:05 am@mbaker, that’s a great idea! I don’t know of any group that does that although there is a clear need for it.
@M_S, I was also the only black woman at the breastfeeding support groups I went to. Granted, I only went twice, but there were never any others.
@Manjari, I agree that this problem has so many layers that it’s hard to know where to begin. Family-friendly jobs? Education? Access to information? I love that the First Lady is willing to begin the dialogue. I originally loved her for her intelligence and style, and her initiative for healthy children just confirms my original impression that she is a lady of substance.
Manjari commented on Sep 20 10 at 11:41 amAgreed, Twintown, she is pretty awesome.
JEssica commented on Sep 20 10 at 2:41 pmI think WIC does have a program to help with pumping already. It may not be as advertised. But I think you could rent a hospital grade pump for free.
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