| The NMA Breastfeeding Alliance was established in 2014 to help educate patients and professionals about the benefits of breastfeeding. For more than 30 years, African American women have had the lowest breastfeeding rates of all ethnicities. The gold standard is six months of exclusive breastfeeding, but among African Americans, the rate is only 20% compared to 40% among whites. Research shows that breastfeeding has benefits for both the babies and for mothers. For example, breastfed babies have lower rates of otitis media, diarrhea, and hospitalization for lower respiratory illnesses, and decreased incidences of allergies, asthma, childhood obesity and SIDS. Mothers who breastfeed experience decreased incidences of breast/ovarian cancers. |
| Our goal is to increase the rate of breastfeeding among African American women. |
| We encourage you read the information provided in the links below. |
For Professionals
The State of Breastfeeding
10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
Source: Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding: The Special Role of Maternity Services, a joint WHO/UNICEF statement published by the World Health Organization.
[PDF] The Burden of Suboptimal Breastfeeding in the United States: A Pediatric Cost Analysis.
Bartick M, Reinhold A.
Department of Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Pediatrics
[PDF] Importance of Breastfeeding to Women’s Health
Michal A. Young, M.D.,FAAP
Associate Professor
Director, NICU and Newborn Nurseries
Medical Director, B.L.E.S.S.
Breastfeeding Coordinator, D.C. Chapter AAP
[PDF] Breastfeeding Leader’s Guide
Committee Opinion 570
Committee Opinion 361
[PDF] The Health Care Providers Role in Improving Breastfeeding Outcomes Among Minority Women
Mrs. Terri Chambers
Certified Nurse Midwife
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
December 2013
[PDF] Breastfeeding: The Organic Choice
Kimberly R. Looney, M.D., FACOG
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
March 6, 2014
[PDF] Where Can We Do More? Medical Schools, Hospi tals, Clinics, Community-Based Organizations
Michal A.Young, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Associate Professor and Chairman
Medical Director, B.L.E.S.S.
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health
Howard University College of Medicine
DC AAP Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinator
Contact
For more information, contact Carole West at cgwest03@gmail.com.
The NMA Breastfeeding Alliance is by a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Contact Carole West at cgwest03@gmail.com for additional information.
