My life has changed drastically, these days I get to wake up, harvest veggies, gather my dried herbs for tea, steep tea while reading books about strong women & badass birthing moms ( in my PJ’s still) , drink that tea from the herbs I dried ( I added moringa & spirulina today), text a few clients & go back to bed if I like. Today I made Breast Milk Tea. No, I’m not breastfeeding but Black Breastfeeding Week just ended and the Beautiful Black Mommies are on my mind.
As I mentioned Black Breastfeeding Week just ended but we have so much work to do. Black Women and babies are dying, and not because we aren’t healthy but because we are at a disadvantage, now I won’t get into to many details but what I do know is we can change things. We have the power.
Did you know that breastfeeding gives your child a start and a fair chance at a healthy life. Did you know it also has benefits for you too as a breastfeeding mom?
Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes, and postpartum depression. Yes you read it right, I said Breast Cancer, it decreases your chances of developing Breast & Ovarian Cancer.
Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of common childhood illnesses, including ear infections, respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, and Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Imagine that! And let’s not forget oxytocin flows while breastfeeding, it increases bonding! Moms who breastfeed develop strong bonds through breastfeeding.
The list goes on and on , while black women have a harder time with breastfeeding because of certain disadvantages, we also have cultural barriers. Lack of lactation support in our communities, complex emotional history surrounding breastfeeding connected to forced wet nursing for enslaved women, food deserts in urban areas and a lack of representation have prevented some black mothers from nursing.
Black Women do breast feed, find support, you have options mommies, seek out Certified Lactation Counselors, ask your Doula for advice. Here’s my Breast Milk tea, a tea blend I created to support moms & to nourish the postpartum body. Hope you enjoy Breastfeeding or not.
Kiya
Breast Milk Tea
1oz -Borage leaves
1oz -Blessed Thistle leaves
1oz -Red Raspberry leaves
1oz-Fenugreek
Mix it together and store in a cool dry area. One teaspoon of this blend will give you one cup. Steep and drink, if you want to add a little spice to it spice it up with some cinnamon, agave or honey.