The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition Board of Trustees adopted the following Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement written by the NJBC Lactation Equity Committee in 2022:
New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) is committed to creating a coalition that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Together, we strive to foster an environment for learning and a welcoming community for all. The NJBC recognizes that there are racial and socioeconomic barriers that can cause harm and interfere with meeting the needs of lactating families. We strive to be change agents that value accountability, eliminating disparities and collaborating with stakeholders across the state to ensure families, communities, and members’ voices are heard and reflected throughout all NJBC endeavors.
Breastfeeding Organizations’ Diversity/Equity Statements*
Organizations for families and breastfeeding professionals working hard to address disparities:
- United States Breastfeeding Committee – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Perinatal Health Equity Initiative – Mission Statement
- International Lactation Consultant Association – Diversity
- Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) – Mission Statement
- Black Mothers Breastfeeding Organizations – Mission Statement
Racial Equity & Breastfeeding
Understanding the Issue of Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding:
- Report on Breastfeeding and Racial Equity
- The Kellogg Foundation’s Health Equity work
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding
Resources for Black Families (& supporters)
- Chocolate Milk Cafe; North Jersey Chapter
- Sistahs Who Breastfeed
- Uzazi Village
- Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association
- ROSE Reaching Out To Sisters Everywhere
- Black Breastfeeding Week
Resources for Native American Families (& supporters):
- Native American Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington: com/NABCWA/
- Oregon Inter-Tribal Breastfeeding Coalition: https://m.facebook.com/oregonintertribalbreastfeedingcoalition
- Native Mothering
Resources for Latino Families (& supporters):
- Barriers to Breastfeeding for Hispanic Mothers, http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/bfm.2014.0090
- Binational Breastfeeding Coalition
- Lactina Breastfeeding Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/search/str/latina+breastfeeding+coalition/keywords_top
- Latina Breastfeeding Leaders: facebook.com/groups/1564118927142024/?fref=nf (for Latina Breastfeeding Professionals)
Join the Facebook conversation:
- Bringing Our Lessons Home: Racial Equity & Breastfeeding, facebook.com/groups/RacialEquityinBreastfeeding/ (must join group)
Additional Cultural Resources:
- e-lactancia (Spanish-language resource for medication/breastfeeding) e-lactancia.org
- Lactancia-Latina (has Spanish-language breastfeeding class) Lactancia-Latina.com
- Native Mothering (general website for parents and professionals wishing to gain identity or understanding) com
Organizational Assessment Tools:
- Race Forward: Racial Equity Impact Assessment Toolkit
Other Areas of Diversity
LGBTQIA & Breastfeeding/Parenting
Resources:
- Two Women Parenting: http://breastfeedingtoday-llli.org/when-two-women-share-parenting/
- Transgender Breastfeeding FAQ: http://dianawest.com/trans-breastfeeding-faq/
- Life as a Transgendered Breastfeeding Dad: http://www.milkjunkies.net/?m=1
- LGBT Parenting: http://www.hrc.org/resources/professional-organizations-on-lgbt-parenting
- Two Women Parenting: http://www.bestforbabes.org/two-women-baby-lgbtq
Religion & Breastfeeding
Resources:
- Breastfeeding, Parenting, and Religion: com/blog-post/bf-links-religion/
- Jewish Parenting: com/article/breastfeeding
- Fasting and Breastfeeding: asn.au/bfinfo/religious-fasting-and-breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding in the Qur’an: Islamic and Cultural Practices in Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding as a Muslim: http://www.suckledsunnah.com
If there is a problem linking to any of the above resources, please contact NJBreastfeedingCoalition@gmail.com
*The resources in this toolbox are provided for educational purposes to support breastmilk-feeding families. It was adapted from information graciously shared and developed by Laura Gruber, IBCLC, for the Texas Breastfeeding Coalition.
