6:31 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2011
RICHMOND, VA (WTVR) – More new mothers are breastfeeding because of the milk’s health benefits to their babies. However, studies show significantly fewer black women are breastfeeding than white women.
Doctors think that could be explain higher instances of SIDS and other health problems in poor African American communities.
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones says breastfeeding is a public health priority. He wants more young and disadvantaged mothers in the city to need to breastfeed their babies.
As a result, Jones has created Virginia’s first breastfeeding commission.
The panel of leaders from area hospitals, businesses and the community will work to get one in four Richmond newborns breastfed over the next six months. The group will then report back on their progress.”We know that breastfeeding has the potential to reduce the rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, infant mortality, certain cancers and infectious diseases,” said Jones.
Ultimately, Jones says he would like 75 percent of Richmond mothers be breastfeeding their babies by 2020.
Within the past year, the City of Richmond has set up lactating rooms where mothers can go to pump milk while they are working.
City leaders hope rooms, which are designed to be calm and soothing for moms, catch on at other companies because they think it would reduce health care costs.
“Women who do not breastfeed are twice as likely to take sick days to care for their sick children as are women who breastfeed,” said the Greater Richmond Chamber’s John Easter.
And that’s why the City is spreading the word…especially in public housing where health clinics are available.
“We have information in those flyers located in the centers, so that mothers will come forth,” said Richmond Department of Social Services Director Doris Moseley.
Health experts also say having lactating centers keeps valuable employees. They also say employees are using fewer prescription drugs because of the rooms.
However, some mothers say they have chosen not to breastfeed for various reasons.
“I wanted to but I chose not to because of my addiction to nicotine,” said Janequetta Crawford.
Additionally, Jahvonna Townsend breastfed her child until she went back to school.
“A lot of young mothers don’t do it no more because I think they feel like it’s old fashion and they feel like Similac is something that’s quick,” said Jahvonna Townsend.
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