“NOTHING CAN BREAK THE BOND…” Document Analysis of the Brown Mamas Breastfeed Blog Project

Breastmilk is the optimal form of nutrition for infants and offers health benefits for both the infant and the mother. In the U.S., Blacks having the lowest breastfeeding rates in comparison to other racial groups. There is a paucity of research on successful breastfeeding experiences in this population. The purpose of this study is to understand Black women's experiences of breastfeeding documented in an online breastfeeding blog project called Brown Mamas Breastfeed (BMB). Specifically, what lead participants to the decision to breastfeed their children and how do Black women describe their experiences of breastfeeding? A total of 23 stories from the BMB project were retrieved from two online blogs. Constant comparative method was utilized in data analysis. Three overall themes that emerged from the blog stories were 1) Child Health and Development, 2) Fulfilling Experience, and 3) Importance of Social Support. Findings from this study may be useful in informing future research on breastfeeding in Black women and guiding the development of educational programs and health interventions to decrease racial disparities in breastfeeding practices .