Lactation Experiences of Black Mothers Who Breastfed a Child Beyond Age One

Although it is recommended that breastfeeding continues for at least 2 years, less than 30% of Black/African American children are still breastfed by their first birthday. This indicates the need to better understand the factors that affect continued and long-term (after 12 months of life) breastfeeding. The goal of this research was to hear from Black mothers who had long-term breastfeeding experiences to understand the barriers and facilitators of setting and reaching long-term breastfeeding goals. Participants were recruited through a variety of organizations serving breastfeeding mothers. Qualitative interviews were conducted through a secure, online meeting platform. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Qualitative Content Analysis. Participant demographics were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 18 interviews were completed and six themes were identified: initiating breastfeeding, deciding to continue beyond 12 months, pressure to stop breastfeeding, support to continue breastfeeding, need for effective education and information about breastfeeding, and overall struggles. This research provides insight for developing interventions to support optimal breastfeeding duration for Black families. Population-specific interventions must always be guided by the voices and experiences of members of that population. This research adds to existing knowledge by providing recommendations for health care providers and breastfeeding advocates based on experiences shared directly from Black breastfeeding mothers.