Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding Week is celebrated each year from Aug. 15 through 21. The observance started in 2020 as a local event by the Los Angeles County’s Asian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Task Force (APIBTF).

AANHPI Breastfeeding Week is now organized by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee’s AANHPI Caucus as a national observance.

The observance mission is to decrease inequities and normalize chest/breastfeeding in AANHPI communities by improving breastfeeding education and support practices.

Overall, AANHPI Breastfeeding Week plays a vital role in promoting health equity, supporting cultural diversity, and ensuring that all families have the information and support they need to make informed choices about breastfeeding.

2024 Theme: Bridging the Gap for AANHPI Families

Los Angeles County Understood the Mission

The Asian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Task Force recognizes the unique cultural and educational needs of Asian and Pacific Islander new parents.? The Task Force seeks to decrease inequities and normalize breastfeeding in Los Angeles County’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities by improving breastfeeding education and support practices, and by removing systemic barriers that prevent breastfeeding from flourishing.

In 2021, the US Census Bureau estimated that there are 24 million people of Asian descent and 1.7 million Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders living in the United States. There is no “one size fits all” solution for issues within the individual communities because there is not just one culture within this larger AANHPI population.

Los Angeles County is home to the largest Asian American population in the United States. Over half a million Asian Americans and 7,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders reside in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.

Barriers to breastfeeding in this community include:

• Corporate interests that promote formula as better than breastmilk
• Lack of lactation education for physicians & clinical practices that are not breastfeeding-friendly
• Only 6% of lactation professionals in LA identify as Asian and Pacific Islander
• Almost half of Asian Americans in the San Gabriel Valley are limited English proficient, yet prenatal medical visits offer little breastfeeding education using language-appropriate materials
• Parenting style is deeply rooted in Asian and Pacific Islander culture and is not always congruent with current Baby-Friendly hospital practices

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding Week is important for several reasons:

1. Cultural Representation and Awareness: AANHPI Breastfeeding Week highlights the unique cultural practices, beliefs, and challenges related to breastfeeding within these diverse communities. It provides an opportunity to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage and traditions that support breastfeeding.
2. Addressing Health Disparities: AANHPI communities may face specific health disparities, including lower breastfeeding rates and limited access to lactation support. This week focuses on addressing these disparities by raising awareness and advocating for better resources and support systems tailored to their needs.
3. Promoting Breastfeeding Benefits: Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits for both mothers/birthing people, and babies, including improved immunity, reduced risk of certain diseases, and enhanced bonding. AANHPI Breastfeeding Week emphasizes these benefits and encourages more families to choose breastfeeding.
4. Advocacy and Policy Change: The week provides a platform for advocacy efforts aimed at improving breastfeeding policies and practices at local, state, and national levels. It helps to bring attention to the specific needs of AANHPI families and work towards creating more inclusive and supportive breastfeeding environments.
5. Community Support and Empowerment: Celebrating AANHPI Breastfeeding Week fosters a sense of community and solidarity among AANHPI families. It empowers mothers by providing them with the support and resources needed to successfully breastfeed and helps to create a supportive network for sharing experiences and advice.
6. Education and Resources: The week often includes educational events, workshops, and distribution of resources to help AANHPI families understand the importance of breastfeeding and how to overcome common challenges. This education is crucial for increasing breastfeeding rates and improving overall maternal and child health outcomes in these communities.

Resources

Michigan Resources:

• Breastfeeding Support | Spectrum Health | Corewell Health
• WHERE can you find Michigan-specific breastfeeding support?
• Michigan Breastfeeding Network – Michigan's Statewide Breastfeeding Coalition (mibreastfeeding.org)
• LA LECHE LEAGUE OF GRAND RAPIDS - Welcome (lllgrandrapids.org)

National Resources:?National Resources:?

• Breastfeeding 101 | WIC Breastfeeding Support (usda.gov)
• Common Questions and Challenges | WIC Breastfeeding Support (usda.gov)
• Expressing and Pumping Milk | WIC Breastfeeding Support (usda.gov)
• Going Back to Work | WIC Breastfeeding Support (usda.gov)
• Every Parent - USLCA
• The CDC Guide to Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies