Celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week!

Here in Durham, our work began by asking whether systems could do more for families — and that question still drives us. As we reflect on Black Breastfeeding Week, I want to share both local stories and national findings that guide our next steps.

This year’s theme—“Boots on the Ground: Rooted in Breastfeeding Success, Grounded in Community Support”—reminds us that equity begins with the doulas, peer counselors, lactation consultants, and community health workers who show up every day to nurture families.

The new Health Management Associates (HMA) report on Medicaid Coverage of Breastfeeding Support and Supplies highlights the same challenges we see here: families face restrictive benefit designs, complicated billing rules, and delays in accessing basic supplies like pumps. One lactation consultant in the report put it simply: “Everybody needs to be able to access this care.”

Durham knows this story firsthand. Families here once had only two peer to peer lactation support meetings while neighboring counties had sixteen. We asked: what if, instead of expecting exhausted parents to do more, we demanded that systems do more? That question sparked Breastfeed Durham and the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community—adapted to name Black families, LGBTQ families, Spanish-speaking families, and Indigenous families. Because naming matters.

Community voices continue to lead us forward. Stephanie Amekuedi of Nourish and Thrive reminded us, “Professionals must speak up for laws, funding, and policies that support lactation… our silence leaves families without options.” And Alayjah Morrison pressed us to face hospital staffing head-on: “There are so many qualified lactation supporters… but when hospitals restrict who can practice, we end up short-staffed. And families are left with formula by default.”

The truth is this: breastfeeding is one of the few interventions proven to close racial health disparities. It saves babies’ lives. It saves families money. It even saves Medicaid dollars.

So this Black Breastfeeding Week, I ask you—our Durham community—to share the HMA report with your networks. Tell your health leaders and decision-makers that equity is not optional, and that community-based lactation providers deserve to be recognized and reimbursed.

Durham has always been willing to lead. Together, let’s keep showing what’s possible.

With gratitude and determination,
The Breastfeed Durham Team

A recent report from Health Management Associates provides a comprehensive landscape analysis of Medicaid breastfeeding services in six states, focusing on lactation support and breast pump access. The findings reveal ongoing challenges and successful strategies, with recommendations aimed at advancing equitable care for all families.

With it being Black Breastfeeding Week, the analysis is particularly timely—spotlighting the critical need to address disparities faced by Black families in accessing quality breastfeeding support. By strengthening Medicaid’s role in supporting breastfeeding, stakeholders have an opportunity to uplift maternal and infant health in Black communities, promote health equity, and celebrate the significance of Black Breastfeeding Week as a movement for positive change.

We want to highlight as many events, celebrations, and opportunities as possible for our community in honor of National Breastfeeding Month!

Please email fariha@breastfeedingcommunities.org if you have any upcoming events, celebrations, or opportunities you'd like us to share in our upcoming newsletters.