Could Breastfeeding Save The Lives of Black Babies?

In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, we are talking all things nursing this week. From gorgeous images of mamas breastfeeding their babies around the world, to a law in one state that could negatively impact nursing in a major way. And your last chance to catch the Pumpspotting Breast Express this summer! It’s all right here, in our Weekly Links.

1. Incredible portraits from 18 countries around the world show how and where mothers breastfeed their babies. For Breastfeeding Awareness Month, NYC photographer Tina Boyadjieva really racked up some frequent flier miles to capture these jaw-dropping images. They’re so worth a look.

2. When it comes to breastfeeding, timing is so important. This week, UNICEF put out an alert saying newborns need to be nursed within an hour of being born. According to UNICEF, infants who aren’t given breast milk within his or her first hour of life face higher risks of death. As many as 78 million infants around the world face this risk.

3. We’ve all heard about the disparity in maternal mortality rates between white women and women of color; there’s also quite the disparity in survival rates of their newborns, and some research points to a lack of breastfeeding as the culprit. This article explores the reasons why many African American women choose not to breastfeed, and why they might consider a change of heart.

4. Just in the nick of time, a law that would have major negative implications on breastfeeding in the State of Georgia has been put on hold. The law, which was supposed to go into effect on Sunday, would have required all lactation consultants to be certified through a two-year, 300-hour program. This means nearly every consultant in the state would no longer be able to support new mothers, until after becoming certified. More than 800 lactation consultants in the state are in jeopardy.

5. All summer long, the team at Pumpspotting’s has been traveling the country in their 40-foot-long Breast Express tour bus, exploring the state of breastfeeding in cities and states from New York to California. The tour is coming to an end this week, wrapping up in San Francisco on August 6th. If you’re between L.A. and S.F., there are a few places you might be able to catch the bus until then.

6. Did you know that 63.74% of Americans believe women should have the right to breastfeed in public places, according to the CDC? Thankfully, breastfeeding in public is now legal in all 50 states, and this article on Motherly goes over what you can do if someone gives you a hard time for breastfeeding in public.

7. Need new breastfeeding clothes? A lot of brands are having major sales to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, and we did all the sale scouring for you! Here are 20 deals on breastfeeding clothes.