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Get Informed – Black Breastfeeding Week (Virtual) Events
Dale Seabrook with her baby at a CinnaMoms event in 2017. (Photo by Belen Rediet/PHFE WIC)
For eight years now, the Black Breastfeeding movement has highlighted breastfeeding as one tool to help reverse the disparate health outcomes Black moms and babies experience.
In L.A. County, Black babies are three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white babies, and Black mothers are three times more likely than other women to die during childbirth.
And the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t made giving birth or raising a family any easier.
The good news is that there are people here dedicated to making information about breastfeeding, pregnancy and birth available wherever you are.
It’s Black Breastfeeding Week, and there are a number of local events planned in connection with the nationwide campaign.
Here are some of the virtual events planned:
Wednesday, Aug. 26 5-6:30 p.m.
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Black Breastfeeding Week VirtualiTEA
A panel discussion about breastfeeding support in the Black community featuring feathers and elders. Free, register here. (hosted by the South Los Angeles/South Bay African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Community Action Team and Breastfeed LA)
Thursday, Aug. 27 10-10:30 a.m.
Breastfeeding Tips
A conversation with lactation educator and registered nurse Jadah Parks Chatterjee. Free, there’s a link to the Zoom chat here. (Hosted by Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital)
Thursday, Aug. 27 2:30-4 p.m.
Are you and your baby getting enough?
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A breastfeeding Zoom support circle. Free, register ahead of time here or text "Cinna27" to 91997. (Hosted by CinnaMoms)
Friday, Aug. 28 11-11:30 a.m.
Breastfeeding Mommy Chat
A conversation with mom Lafecia Bruce. Free, there’s a link to the Zoom chat here. (Hosted by Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital)
Friday, Aug. 28 2:30-4 p.m.
Black Breastfeeding Peer Counselors Circle
A gathering for WIC peer counselors to talk about their work, experiences and goals. Free, but registration is required ahead of time here.
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Monday, Aug. 31, 10 -11:30 a.m.
Chocolate Milk Documentary Screening & Discussion
The film explores the racial divide in breastfeeding through the stories of three African American women. Free, register here by Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. to get a link to watch the documentary from home ahead of time and then join the discussion Monday (Hosted by the Antelope Valley Breastfeeding Coalition and the Antelope Valley African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Community Action Team)
Monday, Aug. 31, 12-12:30 p.m.
Breastfeeding Support
Q&A with lactation specialist Lydia O. Boyd. Free, there’s a link to the Zoom chat here. (Hosted by Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital)
Don’t want to wait? Here’s an event that already happened and are available to watch right now:
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Doula Support and Breastfeeding
A conversation with doulas Michelle Sanders and Khefri Riley and lactation educator Asaiah Harville. (Hosted by Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital)
Cinnamoms is a series of breastfeeding support groups based at L.A.-area WIC Centers. Learn more from health equity manager Toncé Jackson. (Hosted by Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital)
Did we miss something? Have an idea for a story? Get in touch with reporter Mariana Dale.
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MORE LA-BASED RESOURCES
- Los Angeles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Initiative – free doula services, home visiting programs and community support groups
- Breastfeed LA – lactation education, community health resources
- Frontline Doula hotline – virtual support for Black pregnant or postpartum moms.
- CinnaMoms – breastfeeding support groups based at WIC centers
- NATAL — a podcast that describes itself as "a docuseries about having a baby while black in the United States."
- Black Women For Wellness – community health education, empowerment and advocacy group.
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