More Than Milk: Black Women, Myths, and the Power of Breastfeeding

Jul 30

Breastfeeding is one of the oldest most natural ways to nourish a baby, yet it’s surrounded by myths, cultural traditions and a complex history. Breastfeeding remains one of the most discussed topics in newborn care, blending cultural lore with evolving science. For Black women, the experience is shaped not only by personal choice but also by history, systemic barriers, and intergenerational trauma.

Wet Nurses & Black Women

Did you know that for hundreds of years, Black women were often forced to breastfeed white children during slavery? Known as wet nursing, this practice meant many enslaved mothers had to prioritize feeding other families’ babies over their own.

Even after slavery ended, many Black women continued wet nursing for wealthy families to earn money. While it provided some income, it also created trauma and left lasting scars in how many Black families viewed breastfeeding. The history still influences breastfeeding rates today.

Wet nursing - having another woman breastfeed your baby was common globally until the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the U.S. colonial and Antebellum South, enslaved Black women were forces to nurse white children, frequently at the expense of their own infants, sometimes weaning their babies as early as six months while feeding while babies longer.
As many as 20% of slave owners relied on ensalved wet nurses; up to 70,0000 may have across the South by mid-19th century.
After emancipation, many Black women continues wet nursing for white families in exchange for meager compensation well into the early 20th century, contributing to labor and emotional trauma and influencing future generations’ attitudes toward breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Today: Facts & Figures

Today, around 73%-74% of Black mother start breastfeeding but only about 21% are still exclusively breastfeeding at six months, compared to almost 30% of white mothers. This gap has more to do with access to support, workplace policies and lingering generational trauma than desire or ability.

Breastfeeding initiation rates: In recent data, about 73-74% of Black mothers initiate breastfeeding, compared to 83%+ in the general population.
Exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months: About 21% of Black mothers continue exclusively breastfeeding at six months, versus Asian (roughly 27%) and White (roughly 29%) mothers.
The gap stems from intersecting challenges: historical trauma, systemic inequity, healthcare bias, economic barriers, and limited lactation support.

Old Wives’ Tales vs Real Science

Myth 1: “Breastfeeding is natural, so it should be easy.”
Truth: It often isn’t. Many experience latching difficulty or sore nipples early on. Proper positioning and support (e.g. lactation consultants) helps overcome challenges

Myth 2: “What you eat must be plain for safe milk”
Truth: No need for a bland diet. Most foods are fine unless baby shows intolerance; meals rich in nutrients help both mom and baby.

Myth 3: “You don’t have enough milk”
Truth: Perceived low supply is often stress-related or due to misaligned feeding schedules. Frequent feeding and support improve supply naturally.

Good Practices

Try to skin-to-skin contact in the early weeks.
Stay hydrated and well nourished! Your body works hard to make milk.
Exclusive breastfeeding for roughly 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding with complimentary foods for up to 1 year or longer, is recommended for optimal baby and maternal health. Benefits include lower infant illness (ear infections, diarrhea), strengthened immunity, and reduced risked of maternal breast and ovarian cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Frequent on-demand feeding helps establish supply. Avoid strict schedules early on.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Breastfeeding is a learned skill not an automatic one. Seek supportive communities, peer counselors, lactation consultants and culturally affirming resources significantly improve outcomes.

Why This Matters: Health Disparities & Social Justice

Black women experience higher rates of preterm birth, maternal and infant mortality. and chronic conditions like hypertension or aggressive breast cancer. Breastfeeding offers protective benefits that can help close these health gaps.
Understanding the lingering impact of slavery, forced wet nursing and cultural rupture is key to addressing discomfort or distrust around breastfeeding among Black women and families.

Moving Forward: Practical Tips & Support

Seek out lactation support, peer groups, virtual consults or local practices.
Advocate for workplace accommodations, such as lactation breaks and pump-friendly spaces.
Build supportive networks (partner, family, friends) who can assist with nutrition, rest and emotional affirmation.
Use resources like “It’s Only Natural: Mother’s Love, Mother’s Milk” toolkit from the U.S. Office on Women’s Health, designed specifically for African -American families.

Breastfeeding is more than nutrition, it’s a site where history, culture, health and justice intersect. Recognizing the old tales, understanding the barriers rooted in the legacy of slavery and implementing evidence-based practices can help reshape the narrative around breastfeeding in Black communities.

Remember, every drop of breast milk is powerful; every mother’s journey is valid. Ensuring culturally sensitive support is crucial to improving breastfeeding rates and health outcomes nationwide.

Need Help?

If you’re looking for free or low cost lactation support, check out:

WIC (Women, Infants and Children) programs in your area
Chocolate Milk Cafe - Peer Led Lactation Support
La Leche League International support groups
Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association
ROSE (Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere)
Lactations clinics at many community health center

Sources

CDC: Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration
Generate Health STL: A History of Black Breastfeeding
Women’s Health.gov: Addressing Breastfeeding Myths
PBS NewsHour: Racial Disparities Persist for Breastfeeding Moms
Bunk History: Charleston’s Role in Wet Nursing
Breastfeed Durham: Historical Context of Breastfeeding in the African American Community
Novant Health: A New Look at the Complicated History of Black Women and Breastfeeding