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Reflections of Black Women Who Choose to Breastfeed: Influences, Challenges and Supports

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Abstract

Objectives

Black women continue to have the lowest rates of breastfeeding. Of those who choose to breastfeed up to half cease nursing within the first few days or months postpartum. This study identified factors that influence and challenge Black women who choose to breastfeed, and supportive strategies that facilitate successful breastfeeding experiences.

Methods

Four focus groups were conducted in 2013 with 16 self-identified Black women aged 21–46 (M = 31.35 years), with 11–18 (M = 14.94) years of education, and were either pregnant or had given birth to an infant within the prior 5 years (range of pregnancies 1–7; M = 2.44). A standard set of questions guided discussions. Data saturation occurred after three groups. All discussions were audiotaped and transcribed. Qualitative methods were used to identify categories and subthemes. Reviewers met periodically to resolve ambiguities and coding discrepancies. Member checking was conducted.

Results

Four major categories emerged: Balancing the influences: People, myths, and technology; Being in the know; Critical periods; and, Supportive Transitions. Most women experienced little help with breastfeeding from health providers or systems. More influential was the interplay of family members, myths and the internet “as my friend”. Role models and personalized support were noted as important but lacking among Black women. Patient profiling, experienced by some of the women, impacted breastfeeding choices.

Conclusions

Black women such as our participants are critical partners as we develop systems of care to decrease disparities and increase Black women’s successes in breastfeeding. Findings underscore the importance of having diverse, readily available, user-friendly, culturally sensitive options for Black women who choose to breastfeed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded, in part, by the National Center for Research Resources, Grant UL1 RR024975-01, and is now at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Grant 2 UL1 TR000445-06. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. We gratefully thank the women who participated in our study and Ms. Deborah Narrigan for her editorial comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Schools of Nursing and Medicine (General Pediatrics), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Melanie Lutenbacher & Sharon M. Karp

  2. School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Elizabeth R. Moore

Authors
  1. Melanie Lutenbacher
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  2. Sharon M. Karp
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  3. Elizabeth R. Moore
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Correspondence to Melanie Lutenbacher.

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Lutenbacher, M., Karp, S.M. & Moore, E.R. Reflections of Black Women Who Choose to Breastfeed: Influences, Challenges and Supports. Matern Child Health J 20, 231–239 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1822-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1822-y

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