>
>
>  this is not a black or African thing. women from Mexico who come to
> America=
>  feel the same way. i am so tired of African Americans being the center of
> =
> someones static tics and pools of "why black women or men don't do ....,
> or=
>  black women don:t.... is it because of poverty black communities...." now
> =
> the problems that seemed to only effect the black community have leaked to
> =
> ALL communities. you can ask any immigrant why they don't bf in America
> and=
>  you will that same answer you got from that African woman. America is
> mess=
> ed up....STOP making it a Black thing!
> SORRY FOR THE DRAMA THIS EARLY IN THE MORNING!
>



I think anyone working with BF dyads in the USA (and many other
Western countries) realizes this isn't just a black, white or
purple-polka-dotted people issue. It is a
(physical and
mental) health issue for all, but it's also true that neonatal and
infant mortality are proportionately
much higher among African American infants in the USA. African American
women are at more risk for cardiovascular disease (hypertension, MI, etc.)
or dying if they develop breast cancer, all of which having breastfed is
found to reduce, than their counterparts in other ethnicities. One also
can't dismiss that the other groups cited were willing immigrants -- not
unwilling ones who were forcibly separated from family and transported here
whre some of the women became unwilling wet nurses. (And the history of
slavery still plays a role in AA culture as it pertains to BF, childrearing,
etc.)  I could go on re: racial disparities in health outcomes and the
positive role BF/lactation could/should play.

America is certainly not alone when it comes to messed up BF, and I agree
with the points Sam D already mentioned. And I wouldn't trade living here in
the USA, although I certainly always love my visits to other countries and
cultures!


Karen Gromada (MSN, RN, IBCLC, FILCA and LLLL)
www.karengromada.com/

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