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. 2021 Jun;16(6):471-480.
doi: 10.1089/bfm.2020.0307. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Racism and Resistance: A Qualitative Study of Bias As a Barrier to Breastfeeding

Catasha Davis  1 , Aubrey Van Kirk Villalobos  1   2 , Monique Mitchell Turner  3 , Sahira Long  4 , Maria Knight Lapinski  5
Affiliations

Racism and Resistance: A Qualitative Study of Bias As a Barrier to Breastfeeding

Catasha Davis et al. Breastfeed Med. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Nearly 75% of Black non-Hispanic babies born in 2016 ever breastfed. However, Black mothers still experience barriers to breastfeeding, perpetuating disparities in exclusivity and duration. Subjects and Methods: Using data collected from five focus groups with Black mothers (N = 30) in Washington, District of Columbia during summer 2019, we critically examine the influence of institutionalized and personally mediated racism on breastfeeding. We also explore the counter-narratives Black women use to resist oppression and deal with these barriers. Results: Themes surrounding institutionalized racism included historic exploitation, institutions pushing formula, and lack of economic and employment supports. Themes regarding how personally mediated racism manifested included health care interactions and shaming/stigma while feeding in public. At each level examined, themes of resistance were also identified. Themes of resistance to institutionalized racism were economic empowerment and institutions protecting breastfeeding. Themes of resistance to personally mediated biases were rejecting health provider bias and building community. Conclusions: There are opportunities for health providers and systems to break down barriers to breastfeeding for Black women. These include changes in clinical training and practice as well as clinicians leveraging their position and lending their voices in advocacy efforts.

Keywords: Black mothers; breastfeeding; critical race theory; racism.

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Conflict of interest statement

No competing financial interests exist.

Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Representative sample focus group questions from the original study.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Representative sample quotations for themes related to institutionalized racism and resistance.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Representative sample quotations for themes related to institutionalized racism and resistance.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3.
Representative sample quotations for themes related to Personally mediated racism and resistance.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3.
Representative sample quotations for themes related to Personally mediated racism and resistance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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