Are you a Black breastfeeding new mom or a mother with a young baby? Good news! The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has a plan to help you along your journey, along with other interested moms of different backgrounds. MDHHS released the Michigan Breastfeeding Plan: State Strategies to Advance Breastfeeding Practice 2021-2024 to remove barriers, advance equity, and promote breastfeeding as “essential for infant nutrition, social-emotional health, and chronic disease prevention by ensuring all families have the opportunity to breastfeed for as long as they choose,” according to the plan.
That’s good news for Black mothers because according to NPR, only about 66% of black infants are breastfed compared to more than 82% of white and Latinx moms, according to data from 2012.
In 2017, Michigan released its first state breastfeeding plan centered around increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration and reducing disparities among racial and ethnic groups. While almost 87% of mothers in Michigan reported ever breastfeeding their baby (initiation), only 58% reported breastfeeding at three months (duration).
“Breastfeeding is a public health priority for MDHHS and the state of Michigan. Disparities in initiation and duration for white and Black mothers exist and are a focus of the plan,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We are committed to closing the breastfeeding disparity gap, removing systemic barriers to breastfeeding, and supporting all family’s ability to meet their breastfeeding goals.”
The Michigan Breastfeeding Plan divides strategies into three stages: before pregnancy; during pregnancy; and after pregnancy/postpartum. The plan, available here, provides information on how community partners and MDHHS can contribute to the success of the plan.
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/Breastfeeding.
Looking for more social and emotional support during your breastfeeding journey? Link up with the local, non-profit organization Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association. Find them here on Facebook or visit them here online.
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