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RESEARCH

From Hyper-Surveillance to Sudden Abandonment: On Reconfiguring Black Motherhood in the Fourth Trimester

SANDRA OJEABURU, Harvard College ‘20

THURJ Volume 13 | Issue 1

Abstract

Black infants face disparities in breastfeeding initiation and duration that ultimately increase their risk of future health complications. In Mississippi, Black mothers face unique structural and sociocultural barriers to breastfeeding including discrimination
in health facilities, first food deserts, and limited familial and community support. This project aims to understand
how sociocultural and historical barriers affect Black Mississippians breastfeeding practices. With an understanding of these
norms, it aims to uncover solutions that exist at the intersection of community-based postpartum care and science-based evidence
and answer the question: How do Black mother support groups in Mississippi bridge gaps in breastfeeding initiation and duration?
To address this question, I conducted ethnographic research in Jackson, Greenville, Clarksdale, and Indianola, Mississippi from
June-August 2019. Out of interviews with 50 study participants, five main themes emerged explaining sociocultural barriers to
breastfeeding initiation and duration amongst Black mothers: (1) Misinformation in the Black community (2) Perception of breastfeeding as “nasty,” (3) Perception of breastfeeding as an indicator of poverty, (4) Breakdown of familial support in breastfeeding
and (5) The positive impact of “Baby Friendly Designations” at daily institutions. Findings showed that postpartum initiatives
that focus on normalizing breastfeeding are most effective when they ensure that daily institutions are “Baby Friendly.” Moreover,
community support groups are crucial in empowering Black mothers to initiate and continue breastfeeding.

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