This week we continue with Part 2 of our conversation with Mrs. Anayah Sangodele- Ayoka. In this part of the conversation we briefly touched upon the challenges that mothers of color face in their community when it comes to breastfeeding. While we are affected by some of the worst health indicators, such as increase pre-term birth, higher rate of infant prematurity, we are challenged when it comes to the simple measure of breastfeeding by self imposed barriers as well as those barriers imposed upon us by the lack or resources and support in our community. Again I hope you enjoy this part of my interview with Mrs. Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka as much as I did.
6. What are some of the hardest myths and barriers black women still face regarding breastfeeding?
Honestly, even after I meet people and they hear what I do, I get variations of “breastfeeding is for white women.” Lately, this is mostly in relation to nursing in public. But, the idea remains the same: baby’s get hungry, lonely, overwhelmed and benefit from being at the breast no matter where they are.
Another myth I hear that really disturbs me is that Black women are too independent or career-focused to breastfeed. There are so very significant barriers to breastfeeding, many of which stem from racialized economic inequality, that this one really cuts deep for me.
7. What would you like to see healthcare providers do or participate in?
I would love to see healthcare providers doing more to be part of the communities in which they work, understanding the dynamics affecting people’s health choices and finding authentic ways to promote healthful practices.
8. What advice do you give to new moms who choose to breastfeed? what about those who don’t?
I almost always tell new moms to focus on developing and enjoying the relationship with their little one. To let their intuition develop into a logic for caring for the baby without worrying about which side they last fed on how long it’s been since the baby ate. In my opinion, those are generally things to focus on when there seems to be an issue requires more data to resolve. I wouldn’t start a family off with charts and timers when they are in what could be the one of the most graceful and magical times of all of their lives.
9. What is the best advice you received about breastfeeding?
The best parenting advice I received was to to spoil my children, lavish them with love, attention and empathy and not worry about other people’s judgements. It’s not specifically about breastfeeding, but I applied it there nevertheless, especially when people would ask when I would stop.
10. Final words about breastfeeding and mothering as a woman of color in the US in 2015?
I feel like I’m supposed to sign off with a slogan or something right now, but I don’t have one! Instead, I want to continue to encourage all of us to see and lift up the deeply humbling, soul stirring and challenging work of parenting in our own households and with the parents around us. There will never be memes about parenting as funny as those made about Black mothers, but we can certainly make some truer, more humanizing portrayals of ourselves, our sisters and foremothers.
For more information about Black Breastfeeding Week 2015 and Mrs. Anayah Sangodele- Ayoka’s work, go to:
–Black Breastfeeding Week 2015 and
-On Twitter, follow @BlkBfingWeek