African American Women Breastfeeding Facts

Breastfeeding and the Black Body: Are We Still Carrying Generational Trauma?

Do African American women still suffer from hidden, inherited beliefs about their bodies—especially when it comes to breastfeeding?

That question hit me hard after reading some statistics recently:

• 80% of Hispanic women breastfeed their babies

• 79% of white women do the same

• But only 59% of African American women breastfeed

That gap made me pause. I've read before that breastfeeding helps form a deep bond between mother and child. So, why the difference? And could there be a deeper, more painful history at play?

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A Personal Reflection

As I thought more about it, I realized something unsettling: I’ve never seen a Black woman in my family breastfeed. Not my mother. Not my aunts. Not even my wife. She pumped milk, but as far as I can recall, she never nursed our children directly.

This absence seemed odd—until I remembered something I’d come across in my research on slavery: images and accounts of enslaved Black women breastfeeding white children. Often, they were forced to give their milk to the enslaver’s baby, while their own children went without—or were allowed to nurse only from the “other” breast. There were even reports of punishment if the wrong child was fed from the wrong side.

Think about that for a second.

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From Trauma to Tradition?

Could trauma like that echo through generations? Passed down not as a conscious choice, but as a quiet aversion, a gut feeling, or a belief wrapped in shame?

Even today, I’ve noticed something telling. In conversations and casual observations (especially while managing my online fashion store), I’ve seen increased interest in breastfeeding-friendly maternity wear. But not from Black women. That’s anecdotal, sure—but it’s something I noticed.

I also remember reading about a young Black mother who said she was comfortable breastfeeding—just not at her aunt’s house. Her aunt had told her that breastfeeding was “nasty.” That word really stuck with me. Nasty.

Where did that idea come from? And why has it held on?

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Modern Factors or Historical Echoes?

Yes, there are modern reasons why many women—of all races—might opt for bottle-feeding: lack of time, lack of privacy, or just the convenience of formula. But I can’t shake the idea that there might also be something deeper for Black women: a kind of inherited discomfort rooted in the past.

Could the enforced separation between Black women and their own children during slavery have shaped how generations would later view motherhood and the body?

If so, that’s powerful. And heartbreaking.
And it raises one more question:

What else might we be carrying without even knowing it?

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Let’s Talk About It

I don’t claim to have all the answers—just questions that I think deserve space and honesty.

If you’re reading this and you’ve experienced this topic firsthand, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Whether you breastfed your children, were discouraged from doing so, or are just curious about the historical connections, your voice matters.

Drop a comment or message me directly. Let’s keep the conversation going.