ILCA Statement in Support of Black Families in the United States

George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, died face down and handcuffed, after being pinned down by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.

Among his last words were a call to his mother.

As mothers, and as those that support mothers and breastfeeding and chestfeeding families, we at ILCA join in mourning his death and this tragic loss. And we join in raising our voices against the systems of oppression in the United States that led to the loss of his life and so many others.

Starting with pregnancy and birth care and continuing throughout the lifespan of Black Americans, systemic racism affects every aspect of life, from housing to health care to criminal justice to education to employment.

We believe that access to maternal and infant health care, including lactation care – and opportunities to enter the profession – are fundamental to a just start in life. As Michael Lu, physician and Associate Administrator of Maternal and Child Health at the United States Department of Health and Human Services, says: “We can’t all be created equal if we can’t get an equal start in life.”

ILCA stands in support of efforts to dismantle systems of oppression in the United States. 

ILCA stands in support of Black mothers and birthing people in the United States and celebrates their deep and loving care for their families, despite inadequate systems of support.

ILCA stands in support of Black lactation consultants in the United States, and celebrates their tireless care for their communities, despite inadequate systems of support.

ILCA calls on our members and partners to join us in standing in support of our community, and to advocate now for the change needed to ensure a just start in life for Black families.

Join in support of Black families

Would you or your organization like to sign on in support of Black families in the US and this statement? Complete the form here and your organization or name will be added.

Organizations

A Family Affair, United States
Alaska Breastfeeding Coalition, United States
Amy Chatburn-Stevens: Lactation Consultant, United States
Annie Frisbie IBCLC Inc., United States
Australasian Lactation Courses, Australia
Baby Beloved, Inc, United States
Baby Cafe Bakersfield, United States
Baby Cafe USA, United States
Baby Sips In-Home Lactation Consulting, United States
Baby’s Best Beginning, United States
Bayou Region Baby Cafe, United States
Beyond the Breast, United States
BFF – Breast Feeding Friend LLC, United States
Bonding With Baby Lactation, LLC, United States
Breastfeeding Coalition of Solano County, United States
Breastfeeding Resources, Manhasset, NY, United States
Breastfeeding Rocks!, United States
Breastfeeding Success Company, United States
Breast Is Best Lactation Services, United States
Breastfeeding USA, Inc., United States
Bronx Breastfeeding Coalition, United States
BVL (Belgian Association of Lactation Consultants), Belgium
California Breastfeeding Coalition, United States
Clark Memorial Health, United States
Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates (COBA), United States
Community Lactation and Parenting, United States
Confidence In Birth, United States
Cuddles Lactation Services, Pakistan
Elevation Lactation, United States
Every Mother, Inc., United States
Fairhaven Lactation, United States
First Candle, United States
Great Start Lactation, United States
Happy Milk Lactation Support, United States
Hazelbaker Lactation Institute, LLC, United States
Healthy Horizons Breastfeeding Centers, Inc., United States
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, United States
Human Milk Banking Association of North America, United States
iLactation, Hong Kong
ImaniLia Fashions, LLC, United States
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), United States
Institute for Family Health, United States
Janine’s Baby and childcare Consultancy, South Africa
JM Lactation Services, Australia
Lactation Associates of Montana, United States
Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee
(LEAARC), United States
Lactation Education Resources, United States
Lakewood Ranch Lactation, United States
La Leche League Alliance, United States
La Leche League International
Luna Lactation, United States
Mahmee, United States
Mama Bear Lactation Care, United States
Mama Bee Lactation, United States
Mary Rutan Hospital, United States
Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition, United States
Morning Star Moms, Inc, United States
Morrisania WIC Program, United States
Mother’s Milk Alliance, United States
Mothers’ Milk Bank Colorado, United States
My Village: Lactation, United States
North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition, United States
Nourish Holistic Lactation Support, United States
Nurture By Nature Holistic Lactation, United States
Nurturing Generations, United States
Nutrition and Nurture, United Kingdom
NYC Breastfeeding Leadership Council, Inc., United States
Ohio Lactation Consultant Association, United States
Pennsylvania Resource Organization for Lactation Consultants, Faroe Islands
Phenomenal African Woman Foundation, Nigeria
Riverdale Lactation Center, United States
Sacred Good Medicine, United States
Space Coast Lactation, United States
Successfully Raised Kids Project, United States
Tarrant County Breastfeeding Coalition, United States
The Baby Whisperer, United States
The Lactation Training Lab, United States
The Milk Bank, United States
The New York Milk Bank, United States
The Young Masters Inc., United States
United States Lactation Consultant Association, United States
University of Nairobi, Kenya
UWMC, United States
Virginia Breastfeeding Coalition, United States
Willow Family Medicine, Canada
Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants (WALC), United States

Individuals