Authors: Deborah Hamilton, Jaime Pérez, Lydia Furman
Breastfeeding is an important public health issue, especially as African American and Black (AA/B) women often face challenges in starting and continuing breastfeeding due to historical and systemic racism. This study evaluated the “Breast for Success” (BFS) program, which includes support from Community Health Workers (CHWs), to see if it could improve breastfeeding rates among low-income AA/B mothers involved in a home visiting program in Toledo, Ohio. Conducted between June 2022 and October 2023, the study included 58 expectant mothers, mostly AA/B, with low incomes and a mean age of about 26 years. The results showed that 98% of participants started breastfeeding, and 91% were exclusively breastfeeding one month after giving birth. The BFS program effectively enhanced breastfeeding rates among mothers who are at a higher risk of not breastfeeding. This suggests that integrating BFS into existing health programs can significantly improve breastfeeding support for these communities.
Link: Reducing Disparities in Breastfeeding: "Breast for Success" Excels a Second Time
Resource Topic: Breastfeeding
Resource Type: Qualitative
Year: 2024
Region:
Country: United States of America
Publisher May Restrict Access: Yes