Dr. Michal Young Wants You to Breastfeed

January 11th, 2012 - By Veronica Wells

Breastfeeding in America seems to be a dying art compared to other nations and expert recommendations. But when it comes to black women, our numbers are even lower than the national average.

According to a recent study from the Center for Disease Control, 54 percent of black women breastfeed their children. It doesn’t sound so bad; but number are significantly higher for women of other races.  Around 80 percent for Asians and Hispanics and 74 percent for whites.

Health experts have been touting the benefits of breastfeeding, like increased nutrient and protection against diseases for years but for several reasons, black mothers haven’t heeded the call.

Dr. Michal Young believes this is because

Dr. Michal Young M.D., FAAP is an associate professor and interim chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Howard University’s College of Medicine.

Dr. Young is also the director of the  B.L.E.S.S. (Breastfeeding Lactation Education Support Services) Initiative. The goal of this program is to provide education, support and resources for mothers who are currently or are considering breastfeeding their children.

Over at BlackAmericaWeb.com, Dr. Young answers some of the more perplexing questions about the whole process.

Why do so few black women breastfeed?

Many need more information about breastfeeding.  Too many think formula and breastmilk are equal and do not realize that breastfeeding decreases risk for SIDS, respiratory infections and ear infections. They also need more support when they return to work.

I breastfed my first child, and now my breasts look like prunes. How can I prevent further damage when I breastfeed my next child?

Pregnancy is what changes the breasts usually, not breastfeeding. Sometimes the breast will involute after pregnancy, but it is uncommon. One thing for sure: They will enlarge with the next pregnancy.

I am feeling pressured to stop nursing. Is there a recommended age that a baby should use the bottle exclusively?

If the baby is over six months old, take him/her to a cup. You can put your milk in the cup.  Babies do not have to go to a bottle at all. Don’t give in to the pressure! Breastfeed until you and/or the baby are ready to wean.

Dr. Young answers a host of other questions, check out the rest of them at BlackAmericaWeb.com.

Did you breastfeed your child? What were some of the benefits you noticed?

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  • mommyfiercest

    i currently have a 14 month old nursling with plans to stop soon. he loves his milk! he’s never been sick and has perfect skin despite the conditions my partner and I suffered as children and even a little now. i knew that i would breastfeed as soon as i learned the benefits in college and when i got pregnant it was i would go at least 6 months, then it was until he got teeth, then it was if he bites me, then it was at least a year, we have accomplished my goal of a year and now that i see how much it benefits my son i see no reason to stop.

  • mscoco04

    I breastfed all four of my children because I always thought i was what my breast were made for…my mother breastfed me and I actually had quite a few girlfriends that did the same with their children…my breast still look good too and I have to admit that nursing has helped me lose the weight in ALL the right places!!…I don’t know who this body I have now once belonged to, but THANK YOU!!!…lol

  • http://twitter.com/ConceitdBastrds Day Acoli

    i breastfed for as long as possible. women who i build with about it often complain about not being made aware of ALL the ins and outs of breastfeeding. its painful, for example. i think more women would have stuck it out if they had known ahead of time that it’s not necessarily the most comfortable thing. i also think ALL of society has to get a bit more mother friendly.  from the issues people have with breastfeeding in public, to the workplace and beyond. i was denied a continuance in a traffic court case (a basic non violent offense) and told that despite my need to feed my 2 week old baby the system was not required to view my case in a timely manner and they could hold me in court all day and issue a warrant if i left. people in the courtroom were appalled but when it came time to feed my daughter i left. 
    the natural immunity to my infant were what mattered most to me. that she was getting a formula catered exactly to her little system, mattered to me. i hope we can have more discussions like this! thanks!

  • RedButterfly81

    I do that anyway, breastfeeding shrinks your uterus down, slows down the bleeding down there after having the baby and makes you lose the pregnancy weight.

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