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Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment (BAE): A Black Women-Led Approach to Promoting a Multigenerational Culture of Health

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca Duncan

    (Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment (BAE), Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA)

  • Jabina Coleman

    (Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment (BAE), Philadelphia, PA 19132, USA)

  • Sharon Herring

    (Obstetrics and Reproductive Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA)

  • Meg Kawan

    (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Karabots Center, Philadelphia, PA 19139, USA)

  • Christy Santoro

    (Obstetrics and Reproductive Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA)

  • Meghana Atre

    (Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Aleigha Mason

    (School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Shawana Moore

    (College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA)

  • Aparna Kumar

    (College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA)

Abstract

(1) Background: Critical gaps in the U.S. healthcare system perpetuate adverse reproductive health outcomes for Black people. Grounded in reproductive justice and trauma-informed care, Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment (BAE) has developed a program titled BAE Cafe to directly address these gaps by providing community-based lactation and perinatal mental health support. A literature review identified key programmatic gaps, namely, access to knowledge relevant to troubleshooting breastfeeding, peer support, community support and healthcare system support, and system-level factors that impede families and communities from accessing lactation support. (2) Methods: This paper describes BAE Cafe through a group process observation and participant survey. (3) Results: The observation of groups highlighted the core elements of the BAE Cafe model: knowledge, support and mental health support in a peer driven format. Participant survey feedback was overwhelmingly positive and highlighted the critical importance of lactation support for Black women by Black women and BAE’s role in participants’ decisions to continue breastfeeding. (4) Conclusions: BAE Cafe is a replicable, scalable, peer-driven and low-barrier intervention that has the potential to improve outcomes for Black families. Additional research and investment are now needed to assess large-scale implementation to reduce disparities and address health inequity across different contexts and settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Duncan & Jabina Coleman & Sharon Herring & Meg Kawan & Christy Santoro & Meghana Atre & Aleigha Mason & Shawana Moore & Aparna Kumar, 2022. "Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment (BAE): A Black Women-Led Approach to Promoting a Multigenerational Culture of Health," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:1:p:28-:d:752205
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kilbourne, A.M. & Switzer, G. & Hyman, K. & Crowley-Matoka, M. & Fine, M.J., 2006. "Advancing health disparities research within the health care system: A conceptual framework," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(12), pages 2113-2121.
    2. Rebecca Reno, 2018. "Using group model building to develop a culturally grounded model of breastfeeding for low‐income African American women in the USA," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(17-18), pages 3363-3376, September.
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