Multnomah County recently wrapped up its celebrations for World Breastfeeding Week and Black Breastfeeding Week, as the Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed. These events ran from August 1-7 and August 25-31. According to a recent report by Multnomah County, these weeks were dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public on the various benefits that breastfeeding provides to both mothers and infants.
In the efforts to provide comprehensive support, the Multnomah County WIC program has been a beacon of assistance to families in need. The program notably provides support in multiple languages, extending its reach by serving over 19,761 families in 2023. This program also received the Gold Award of Excellence in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, demonstrating its valued effectiveness. As Cidnee Potter, the Lactation Program Supervisor, told Multnomah County news, "We are so honored to serve our families."
Another focus of this year's celebration highlighted the specific support provided to the Black and African American communities. One collaborative effort, as the news release details, is with the Health Birth Initiatives (HBI), which has no income or insurance barriers and is available to those identifying as Black, African American, or African/Caribbean immigrants or refugees. It offers culturally responsive home visits and breastfeeding support until the child reaches 18 months.
In addition, REACH, a program addressing chronic disease burdens and disparities, especially among Black and African immigrants and refugees, made strides in normalizing breastfeeding by creating "mama pod" lactation spaces at the Soul Restoration Center. Asia Rubio, a REACH program specialist, noted the wider implications: "We recognize that families face different challenges through policies, systems and environments that don't always recognize their needs." This is underscored by REACH's partnership with organizations like the Black Parent Initiative and the African American Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon to dismantle barriers to breastfeeding, as detailed by the county's press release.
