Why do we need a focus on Black Breastfeeding?

Each year there are celebration weeks that focus on certain groups of people, often those who have been historically excluded or marginalised by society. Black Breastfeeding Week is another one of these weeks. Each year there will be some people who will question “why” – why do we “need” a focus on Black breastfeeding?

In a government report in the UK, mothers from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic groups were found to have higher breastfeeding rates than white mothers (Gov.uk, 2023). However, many peer parenting and mothering groups can have only a limited representation of Black and Brown families. 

One of the benefits of peer support groups is building a community, which allows mothers and parents not just to be seen, but to have a place to belong. Community means a place where experiences are valued and people are celebrated – conversations, questions, experiences are not only invited but listened to. Health professionals have a crucial role in providing informed advice and guidance about breastfeeding but they can’t provide community.

Community allows mothers and parents to share everyday experiences of living life with little ones, and ask those little but ruminating questions that need a place to be heard. Peer support groups provide this vital space and we need to ask why some people may not feel welcome at these groups. A mother who is running off 2 hours sleep, unsure if her milk is “enough” for her baby who is constantly wanting her, has the added worry of how she may be received, when she looks around the room and sees no one else like her. A friendly welcome goes a long way, and a refreshing drink would be an extra treat, but how does she feel if she is the only one like her in the room?

I must stress that not everyone will be phased by being the only Black or Brown person in a room, but for me, I felt it. This is due to historical stereotypes and microaggressions that I have experienced, and the fact this has happened more when I am in a minority in a group.

Photo by Hayley Fraser Photography

If we can build relationships, we can strengthen participants’ sense of worth and validate their concerns. LLL is a space where mothers and parents can share their breastfeeding experiences and receive information and support about particular positions for breastfeeding, tips for introducing solids, co-sleeping or receive empathy when feeling touched out…and so much more! We need to include and welcome all mothers and parents, so everyone can feel safe in peer support groups for breastfeeding and experience community, belonging and support.  

Sadly, Black and Brown people have often been silenced, and this is starkly evident in the rates of maternity death rates of Black women (BMJ, 2025). Black women are more likely to die compared to white women in maternity in the UK, a statistic that is harrowing, yet the conversations on this are limited. Communities for Black and Brown women also need to acknowledge the pain and injustice in treatment that is experienced in maternity care.

Photo by Hayley Fraser Photography

Black Breastfeeding Week is an opportunity to recognise Black mothers and parents, listen to their experiences and seek to adopt practices that include Black families. We don’t want tokenism, we want a commitment to being valued and included all year round.

This can be achieved through supporting Black and Brown mothers and parents who set up grassroot initiatives. Can you help promote their work? Can you collaborate? Is the information you share about your service accessible? Are you considering any barriers? This could be the location of information, languages or community settings. Educating yourselves on the privileges that are experienced by non-marginalised groups is also important. Being an ally is not just affirming others, it is about challenging negative actions, derogatory language and unhelpful stereotypes; to name a few. Oh, and please do not touch my hair or my kid’s hair without asking!

Let us celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week with a commitment to keep on striving for better.  

References 

Breastfeeding at 6 to 8 weeks: a comparison of methods.  Gov.uk. Published September 2023. Accessed 22/08/25

 Why are black women still more likely to die in childbirth? | The BMJ Accessed 22/08/25