During slavery, Black women were used as wet nurses. Black infants were often denied the benefits of breastfeeding. Forced care in the form of Mammy- Black nannies took the place of wet nurses. After the Civil War, infant formula became the norm. Following the Post-Civil War Act more attention has been given to Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome and its implication on poor health outcomes.
In the U.S. SIDS is the leading contributing factors of infant mortality which is now 5.8 infant deaths per 1000 live births. Ohio is at 6.8/1000, and within Hamilton County 9.3/1000. Nationally Black babies are more likely to die before their first birthday. In Hamilton county Blacks represent 16.3% of infant death, while Whites represent 5.9%. The lack of breastfeeding is one of the leading risk factors associated with SIDS.
Strategies for prevention include increasing culturally appropriate support, access to breastfeeding education, and addressing racism and inequity in health care.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: Understand the historical implications affecting current African American health.
Objective 2: Understand Post- Traumatic Slave Syndrome and attitudes towards breastfeeding.
Objective 3: Understand the causes and contributing factors of infant mortality and breastfeeding.
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