It's #BlackBreastfeedingWeek 2022. We Celebrate.

It's close to the end of #BlackBreastfeedingWeek. I figured I could share some thoughts.

August 25-31 has been designated as the week we celebrate #BBW in 2022. It's now been 10 years of bringing attention, light, love, support, and empowerment to those who are #Black and breastfeed. Here's to hundreds and hundreds more years of giving #Blackbirthingpeople, #Blackmothers the love and support they so need to keep nourishing their babies, themselves, and the entire world. Because when they thrive, all of society benefits.

In all of this, there's me. I am a #Blackwoman who was breastfed and who breastfeeds. And I was thinking about what perceptive to give this piece. So I asked my mom about her choice to breastfeed me. I just knew something she would say would inspire me.

I asked. She paused.

She was a bit confused, it seemed. As we continued to talk, I came to understand that she hadn't considered NOT breastfeeding me. "It was just what I needed to do to make sure you and I were the healthiest we could be," she said. So here I am, 30-ish years later, considering why I breastfeed my son and I realize, I hadn't considered NOT breastfeeding him. So that's it right there. And I'm lucky. We who are Black mothers don't all have the influence, community, encouragement, and support to start breastfeeding. Because it truly can be difficult for any birthing person to breastfeed, but especially for a #Blackbirthingperson.

And yes, I pause to consider Black mothers who wanted to #breastfeed and could not for any number of reasons. You are seen. You are a part of this.

So anyway, it's #BlackBreastfeedingWeek. These are my scattered thoughts as a Black woman who was breastfed and who breastfeeds. I may follow up with an educational piece on this topic. But for now, during this Black Breastfeeding Week, I celebrate.

Black Breastfeeding Mother, Original Art by Faith Mwalwa