By Rebecca Costello, IBCLC
Women’s 
Birth & Wellness Center is celebrating National Black Breastfeeding Week August 25th-August 31st. The national theme this year is #BetOnBlack and we would love for you to join us in celebrating black moms and moms-to be. Black infants have the highest mortality rates in our country, and yet many black women do not receive the support they need to breastfeed successfully. One of those challenges is visibility – most images of breastfeeding do not reflect a diverse population.
Throughout the week, we’re asking black moms to please share your breastfeeding journeys with us – what makes breastfeeding a winning bet for you and your baby? During the week we’ll post questions on Facebook for you to share why you breastfeed (or plan to) and what obstacles you’re overcoming. We will post your responses on the bulletin board of our lobby. Each response gets you an entry in a drawing for a $25 Boutique gift certificate. Send us a picture of you breastfeeding your baby (or a belly shot if you’re still pregnant) for the bulletin board, and you’ll be entered again! To be entered in the drawing, e-mail photo to milc@ncbirthcenter.org – pictures must be submitted by Aug. 30th.
As a celebration at the end of the week, we are having a special Black Breastfeeding Week party and photoshoot – if you don’t have an image of your baby to share for the bulletin board, or want a new one, check out our special event next Thursday! RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/134126790533405/?active_tab=about
Spaces for individual photos are limited so comment on the Facebook event right away if you want to reserve yours!
Not a black mom, and want to help support the cause? Start learning about why Black Breastfeeding Week was started and the experiences black women have in breastfeeding:
http://kindredmedia.org/2014/08/happy-black-breastfeeding-week-august-25-31/
http://theleakyboob.com/tag/why-do-we-need-black-breastfeeding-week/