Breastfeeding Communities for Fatherhood: Laying the Groundwork for the Black Fatherhood,Brotherhood,and Manhood Movement

The History of (Black) Fatherhood Work in the United States

The role fatherhood plays toward the optimal health of the mother and baby has been well documented, and for an analysis of the history of this field in the United States, we refer readers to LaRossa's work on the social and political history of modern fatherhood. ¹

The authors' niche is at the intersection of American fatherhood and the African American/Black culture, whose roles of fatherhood have, as is well known, been negatively influenced by the dominant, white male culture of the United States, which, for centuries, subjected the Black father to roles of helplessness as chattel (slaves), ² and for centuries, after found legal and extrajudicial means to terrorize the Black male among his woman and children, leading to intense psychological and psychosocial confusion as to his role in his community and family.

Today, Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere (ROBE), along with the Black Fatherhood Movement in general, continues to consolidate information regarding the specific barriers Black fathers face (in relationships with the Black mother and child). A brief list and associated narrative of these barriers are appendicized (Appendix A1), and includes well-known barriers such as those tied to U.S. mass incarceration, and subsequent economic and social ostracization that leads to material and psychological ineptitude as a father and partner. ³

The History of ROBE

ROBE developed in 2014 as an independently integrated program of Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere, Inc. (ROSE), with the mission of educating, equipping and empowering men to assist in the ROSE effort of increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration rates, and to decrease infant mortality rates by advocating for safe sleep in the African American community.

The ROBE Wisdom Council was founded in concert with the first ROBE conference in 2014. The Wisdom Council model helped ROBE grow quickly, utilizing the path taken by the parent organization in ROSE; that is, the aggregation of individual fatherhood advocates onto a nationally recognized fatherhood practitioner network. The idea of ROBE and the Wisdom Council is to act as an emulsifier of fatherhood practitioners and policy influencers in the growing, nationwide Black Fatherhood Movement.

The Role of Fathers in Supporting Breastfeeding

When a man is serious about his role as a father, coparent, or caregiver, he naturally seeks to educate and equip himself for the journey ahead. Usually, the choice to breastfeed is left to the mother of the child, but feeding choices can be made easier when the man involves himself and provides his input. ⁴ This review ⁴ explored fathers' views on the pros and cons of breastfeeding, under the themes of (1) Breastfeeding and father-infant bonding, (2) Partner relationships and breastfeeding, and (3) Breastfeeding in public. It is clear from the study that well-informed fathers who understand the benefits of breastfeeding are better equipped to deal with the “cons” of breastfeeding, such as the perceived lack of father-infant bonding or the realistic insufficiency of breast milk, at times. Therefore, it is imperative to educate, equip, and empower men to assist in their partner's breastfeeding initiation and duration rate goals.

Finally, with an increasing rate of young fathers in the Black community, special attention must now be paid to the psychosocial factors surrounding young Black males in their journey of fatherhood. Ayton's 2016 study, conducted in another spatial, yet, similar temporal context, found that “Young fathers in our study had complex social and emotional circumstances that meant breastfeeding was not a high priority despite them valuing the health benefits of breastfeeding for their babies.” ⁵ However, the study concludes that “If supported by peers and their community, they appear to have a more positive parenting experience.”

The Role of Fathers in Decreasing Maternal and Infant Mortality

The relationship between mother and baby is natural, but the relationship between a father and baby must be intentional or forged. When and if the father of the child is present, there is “double-coverage” to guard against any harm or danger which may befall the child. Responsible fathers have a tendency to be very protective of loved ones, especially their children, by making their environment safer. The father also provides comfort to the mother by being a present help for her should she need him or when he sees that something is not right.

Again, in another spatial context, a study of fatherhood in Africa and Asia found that “the man's participation in maternal and child health programs can counteract maternal and infant mortality in relationship to pregnancy and birth by increasing the possibility of women receiving immediate care in obstetric emergencies.” ⁶ This role is very similar to the role of fathers and breastfeeding in public, as it situates a fundamental role of the father; emotional and social support toward a natural process often stigmatized in many “developed” regions of the world.

Finally, and again considering contemporary (Black) society, a World Health Organization (WHO) report stated that “There are many reasons to highlight teenage pregnancy and teenage parents from a health perspective. The National Health Service (NHS) in England shows that infant mortality rates for babies born to teenage mothers are more than 50% higher than the average… (and that) The infant mortality rate for babies born to mothers younger than 18 years of age is more than double the average, and this group also has an increased risk of maternal mortality.” ⁷ Since “the children of teenage parents are more likely to live in poverty, (and to) grow up without a father,” they are again placed into the regime of social, political, and economic causes for maternal and infant mortality. Thus, one must work toward, and seek to influence, positive societal programs and factors that will reintegrate the role of the father in the early stages of child development ubiquitously.

Recommendations for the Future

For many reasons, including those of systemic oppression and racism, many Black men have been unable to be an active part of raising their children. ROBE's main purpose is to educate, equip, and empower Black fathers on how to coparent under different and difficult circumstances. An analysis of over 200 hundred studies on parent-child relationships found that having a loving and nurturing father was as important for a child's happiness, well-being, and social and academic success as having a loving and nurturing mother. ⁸ Public policy and provisions must be revisited in an effort to support the inclusion of men and fathers.

A big take away from the first grant funded project was the lack of resources for men to learn about and advocate for breastfeeding. Black men deserve to be educated in culturally competent ways about prenatal and postpartum care to advocate for their partners. This is not happening in a systematic way in the Black community. In the Reproductive Justice space, Black men are basically being treated as if they are invisible. This is a crisis situation and a major reason why Black women do not get the support they need from the men in their lives to help keep them alive while pregnant and in the fourth trimester. Another big takeaway was the excitement and eagerness of Black men (uncles, brothers, stepdads, barbershop owners…) to learn and help improve birth and breastfeeding outcomes in communities of color. Recommendations include direct funding of community-based fatherhood initiatives that interact with established fatherhood organizations and a strong social media campaign that is focused on Black fatherhood and breastfeeding.