Brownsville Moms Not Comfortable Breastfeeding in Public, Study Says

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — First-time mothers in Bed-Stuy and Brownsville are breastfeeding their babies at alarmingly low rates, according to a new study released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) entitled "Feeding Our Future."

Despite vast protections for public breastfeeding under New York City Civil Rights Law, societal pressure and a lack of safe breastfeeding spaces in central Brooklyn drive women to opt for baby formula, the study said.

The alarming city data showed that 99 percent of first-time mothers in Brownsville and 97 percent of first-time mothers in Bed-Stuy do not breastfeed their newborns during the critical first six months of human development.

The breastfeeding study was conducted by Center for Health Equity’s Brooklyn Neighborhood Health Action Center. It came away with five key findings:

1. The majority of first-time mothers in Bed-Stuy and Brownsville are optimistic about the benefits of breastfeeding their infants. "The majority of the women in this study expressed
that breastfeeding is a natural and organic food source that comes straight from a mother’s body and is the healthiest feeding option for a baby. Most of the women had been formula-fed as babies, and shared that formula feeding is common in their communities. "

2. The barriers to breastfeeding in central Brooklyn are daunting. "Among the study participants, few had practical support, an understanding of breastfeeding mechanics or access to a pump. Consequently, many perceived their breast milk production as being low and supplemented with formula. A few of the women interviewed planned to discontinue breastfeeding before returning to work due to the lack of lactation accommodations at their workplaces."

3. Many moms don't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public, and find safe spaces to be lacking. "Even though women know it is protected by law, they often feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public spaces, such as restaurants, libraries or stores. This can lead women to stop breastfeeding and use formula."

4. Mothers who want to breastfeed are seeking and utilizing support. "In several cases, women recounted how they sought breastfeeding help, including reaching out to lactation consultants at their local WIC office and enrolling in breastfeeding classes for practical, hands-on help."

5. Further eduction on the benefits of breastfeeding is critical. "The women’s infant-feeding decisions were rarely influenced by a single source. Many considered information from several sources before making their decisions, including health care providers; family members, such as the babies’ fathers and grandmothers; friends and their own research and observations."

The good news: City leaders began to enact some proactive new breastfeeding policy changes earlier this summer. Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Intro. 1063-A, requiring new lactation rooms to be installed at the offices of the DOHMH, the Administration for Children’s Services and the Department of Social Services.

Photo via Eric Adams/Twitter