Recognizing AANHPI Breastfeeding Week
This week of National Breastfeeding Month, we will be focusing on the cultural, social, and health aspects of breastfeeding in our diverse AANHPI populations. Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week is also known as AANHPI Breastfeeding Week. It is celebrated from Aug 15 to 21st to celebrate and promote healthy breastfeeding while advocating, raising awareness, and shedding light on the challenges that AANHPI families face. It is also a time to foster more community support and access to breastfeeding education, resources, and culturally sensitive healthcare that considers the unique needs of AANHPI mothers and families.
Last year the theme was “Telling Our Stories, Elevating Our Voices!” and it gave Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders a platform to tell their diverse stories and experiences in their unique voices. The theme for this year will be “Bridging The Gap for AANHPI Families.”
Bridging The Gap for AANHPI Families
This year’s theme for AANHPI Breastfeeding week will advocate for breastfeeding education and lactation support that is more culturally tailored and reflective of the AANHPI community. According to The Asian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Task Force, the AANHPI community faces a variety of barriers to breastfeeding, including the following:
- The fact that only 6% of lactation professionals in LA identify as Asian and Pacific Islander.
- The Asian and Pacific Islander culture is not always congruent with conventional baby-friendly hospital practices
- Corporate interests tend to promote formula feeding as better than breastmilk.
By addressing disparities and improving breastfeeding support within the AANHPI communities, we can create a more equitable environment for all.
How Can You Support AANHPI Breastfeeding Week?
Here are many ways you can show support for AANHPI Breastfeeding Week.
- Follow and engage with the official facebook page @AANHPIBreastfeedingWeek.
- Donate to the Asian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Task Force by clicking here. The Asian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Task Force is dedicated to promoting and supporting healthy and equitable breastfeeding in the Asian community. It is through this initiative that AANHPI Breastfeeding Week began.
- Start a conversation around AANHPI Breastfeeding week and share the unique voices of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
Final Thoughts
AANHPI Breastfeeding Week is an important initiative that not only celebrates the act of breastfeeding but also addresses the broader social and health issues that impact AANHPI communities. By improving breast/chestfeeding education and support practices, we can decrease inequities and barriers to breastfeeding in AANHPI communities around the country. We hope you found this article informative, please don’t forget to share. Next week we will be talking about Black Breastfeeding Week and its significance.
Learn More
www.facebook.com/AANHPIBreastfeedingWeek
www.breastfeedla.org
