The Maternal Health organization, Mama Glow Foundation,
debuts a new national training program rooted in breastfeeding
education and restorative justice.
BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The First Foods
Justice Breastfeeding Certification Program for Doulas, is centered
on reclaiming breastfeeding education and bringing lactation
support to communities most impacted by low breastfeeding rates.
The program was first announced at the third annual Doula Expo by
Mama Glow last year and holds a vision of restorative justice.
Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers belonging to
historically marginalized populations engage at lower rates, when
compared to their white counterparts. The maternal health
organization, Mama Glow Foundation is unveiling a historic effort
to address the disparities in Black breastfeeding rates in the
USA. The training program
approaches breastfeeding from the framework of first food
justice—the notion that all infants should have the right to
access the best nutrition, and caregivers their right to provide
it.
The First Foods Justice Program will provide professional
lactation education to people who have been historically
marginalized and whose communities fall victim to health inequity.
Mama Glow Foundation holds a deep commitment to community and an
investment in the workforce of doulas and community care workers.
The design of this course centers the safety and support of Black
and Brown mothers, birthing people, and families as they navigate
the unique challenges and joys of breastfeeding.
The impact goals of the program are 1) to train 100 community
care workers/doulas as Community Lactation Educators, 2) to serve
marginalized people with community-based and trauma-informed
lactation support, and 3) to measure the training outcomes and
capture feeding success experiences within the program.
The First Foods Justice Breastfeeding Certification Program aims
to address a number of disparities. While breastfeeding is often
framed as a matter of personal choice or preference, the
disparities warrant thorough investigation. Only 66% of Black
infants are breastfed—a statistic that pales in comparison to those
of white and Latine infant's breastfeeding rates—82%. The
disparities go beyond initiation. When Black birthing people
breastfeed, they face challenges that impact their ability to nurse
their infants long term. Only 44% of Black birthing people
breastfeed for at least six months, when compared with 62% of white
birthing people.
Another systemic barrier barring Black birthing people from
breastfeeding is the decision-making occuring within the biomedical
sphere. Unfortunately, hospital systems have historically been the
target of the predatory marketing practices of formula companies,
and this impacts specific demographic groups—like low-income Black
women. This targeted approach is among the factors shaping Black
mothers and birthing people's disproportionate rates of formula
use.
The First Foods Justice Program is equal parts revolutionary and
restorative. It is a rallying call to come to the table and imagine
what it looks like to repair, design a new equitable future. This
work embodies deep collaboration, community, and accountability,
and provides a model for multidimensional support in our effort to
prop up our nation's mothers and birthing people.
Applications for the Summer Cohort Open in May.
Contact: info@mamaglowfoundation.org
ABOUT MAMA GLOW FOUNDATION
Mama Glow is a Brooklyn-based, Black, female-founded
organization that trains and supports a global community of 2,500+
doulas. The Mama Glow Foundation, our philanthropic 501c3
non-profit, is committed to advancing reproductive justice and
birth equity through education, advocacy, and the arts.
The Foundation strives to improve maternal health outcomes in
three primary ways.
- Providing educational scholarships to aspiring doulas and
midwives,
- Engaging in robust workforce and professional development
pathways for our doulas, and
- Working with educational partners and engaging in research,
advocacy and scholarship.
Media Contact:
Latham Thomas
9173284720
376335@email4pr.com
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SOURCE Mama Glow Foundation