Kimesha

What kind of breastfeeding support, if any, did you or did you not receive from your famiy, comunity, and/or healthcare provider or other resources?

I know I did a breastfeeding class before I had both of my kids, and then I did another one in between the two of them. 

My healthcare provider is actually who. That's how I got with the breastfeeding course. It was through the hospital, so my doctor was so supportive, and she was a minority too, so very supportive of me breastfeeding.

When I went back and had my second or got pregnant with my second kid, and I was like, "well, I'm still breastfeeding the first one." She was like, "good. Keep going, girl. Just run it off." So I think that, like I said, for health care, my provider was very supportive.

As far as with my family, I feel like my family just for me, has breastfeed their kids for a lengthy amount of time. But I do know, or I hear people talk about, like, "stop breastfeeding that baby, that baby's one. Stop breastfeeding that baby." But like I said, I feel like my family is very supportive. They might make jokes, but they're so light hearted.

How does the experience of breastfeeding impact you relationship with your baby? And with your family?

I feel like it makes our bond closer. Actually, with both my kids, I just feel like, "oh, my God, I love it. I love breastfeeding them." And I think it kind of takes away some time from my family with the kids. Like, they're like, "oh, my God, they're on the nitty." But I just feel like breast is best. I don't know. So it doesn't impact it too much. But I do know that sometimes they're like, they can't take her as long as they want to take her... 

From your experience, why is breastfeeding important in the black community?

I feel like it's important in the black community because I feel like we're shamed, and I feel like our community doesn't support it as much. But, I mean, it is what's best for the baby, so I think that the more black people see other black people extending theirselves and breastfeeding, that kind of make them be like, okay, because, like I said, I feel like a lot of times the black community shames breastfeeding moms for either the length of time or whatever the case may be. 

What wishes or intentions do you have for your child that you'd like to share? 

My wishes are just: be you -- no matter who's around and who's looking, be you. 

Do you have any advice for black pregnant moms pertaining to breastfeeding? 

My advice is be resilient, and you gonna get through it. I don't know. Breastfeeding is hard, but try again. Try again. Keep trying. I mean, it's what's best for our babies. So even if it comes down to time, even if you can't put them actually on your breast pump, give them the milk that comes from your body and not from no cow. And that's the tea. That's all I got.