The Black Lactation Bill of Rights

A Declaration of Dignity, Equity, and Access

Preamble

Breastfeeding and human milk feeding are not privileges. They are essential components of maternal, infant, and public health.

Yet Black families continue to experience systemic barriers to achieving their individual infant feeding goals. Historical injustice, structural racism, inadequate policy, limited access to culturally responsive care, and persistent inequities have created environments where many Black families are expected to overcome obstacles that should never exist.

Every Black family deserves equitable access to evidence-based lactation education, compassionate clinical care, and the resources needed to meet their individual infant feeding goals. Those rights extend to every person who lactates, every infant receiving human milk, and every family navigating the many pathways through which lactation and human milk feeding occur.

These rights are not earned. They are not dependent upon income, insurance status, family structure, gender identity, geographic location, feeding method, or how a family comes to lactation. They belong to every Black family simply because equitable lactation care is a human right.

We therefore affirm that every Black family has the following rights.

  • Question it answers: How should I be treated?

    To be treated with dignity, compassion, and without discrimination throughout every lactation encounter.

  • Question it answers: Can I trust the information I receive?

    To receive accurate, current, evidence-based lactation information free from myths, stereotypes, bias, coercion, or misinformation.n.

  • Question it answers: Will I be equipped with knowledge?

    To receive timely, evidence-based lactation education throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and every stage of the feeding journey so families can make informed decisions and meet their individual infant feeding goals.

  • Question it answers: Am I free to decide?

    To make infant feeding decisions based on complete, unbiased information and personal values, free from pressure, shame, or judgment.

  • Question it answers: Who is providing my care?

    To timely access qualified lactation professionals throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and the entire feeding journey.

  • Question it answers: Does my identity matter?

    To receive care that recognizes, respects, and honors Black families, cultures, identities, traditions, and lived experiences.

  • Question it answers: Does my voice matter?

    To have concerns acknowledged, pain taken seriously, and personal feeding goals respected through honest communication and shared decision-making.

  • Question it answers: Will my situation be fully evaluated?

    To receive a complete lactation assessment before recommendations for supplementation, early weaning, or discontinuation of human milk feeding are made.

  • Question it answers: Do I have the tools I need?

    To medically necessary breast pumps, correctly fitted flanges, replacement parts, and other lactation supplies needed to meet individual infant feeding goals.

  • Question it answers: Can I continue receiving support?

    To receive ongoing lactation support throughout the feeding journey without unnecessary interruptions, repeated barriers, or loss of access as needs change over time.

  • Question it answers: Is my emotional well-being part of my care?

    To have emotional well-being recognized as an essential component of lactation care and to receive appropriate education, support, and referrals when needed.

  • Question it answers:Is lactation recognized everywhere it should be?

    To receive care within healthcare, public health, workplaces, childcare, and community systems where lactation is recognized, protected, and integrated as an essential component of maternal, infant, and public health. Not treated as separate from it.

  • Question it answers: Will my unique circumstances be supported?

    To receive knowledgeable, compassionate lactation support following NICU admission, premature birth, infant illness, pregnancy loss, abortion care, stillbirth, infant loss, maternal medical complications, adoption, induced lactation, or separation from one's infant.

  • Question it answers: Am I connected?

    To access culturally affirming peer support, community resources, and support networks that reduce isolation and strengthen families throughout their feeding journey.

  • Question it answers: Can I actually obtain care?

    To equitable access to lactation care regardless of income, insurance status, geography, disability, or other systemic barriers that limit a family's ability to meet their individual infant feeding goals.

  • Question it answers: Can I speak up?

    To ask questions, request second opinions, decline recommendations, seek additional support, and actively participate in every decision affecting one's feeding journey.

  • Question it answers: Will my infant's feeding plan be respected?

    Every infant whose feeding includes human milk has the right to safe, knowledgeable, and supportive care in healthcare, childcare, early education, and community settings where human milk is welcomed, handled safely, and respected as part of the family's individual infant feeding goals.

The Rights

Access the Black Lactation Bill of Rights

The Black Lactation Bill of Rights was created to affirm, educate, and advocate for Black families throughout their infant feeding journey.

We believe these rights belong to the community. That's why this resource is available at no cost.

If this guide has informed, encouraged, or empowered you, consider making a $5 donation to support OMC's Lactation Access Initiative. Your gift helps ensure Black families can continue receiving no-cost lactation education and support.

Published by The Obsidian Milk Collective

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Our Collective Responsibility

Protecting Black lactation is not the responsibility of Black families alone.

It is the shared responsibility of healthcare professionals, hospitals, public health agencies, insurers, employers, childcare providers, educators, policymakers, researchers, community organizations, and society as a whole.

When Black families are unable to meet their infant feeding goals because of systemic barriers, the solution is not greater individual effort, it is collective action.

This Bill of Rights calls upon every institution, every professional, and every community to build systems where these rights are not aspirational, but expected.

Because every Black family deserves the opportunity to meet their individual infant feeding goals with dignity, equity, and support.

Living Document

The Black Lactation Bill of Rights is a living document stewarded by The Obsidian Milk Collective. As evidence evolves, communities grow, and the voices of Black families continue to shape this work, this document may be updated to reflect emerging knowledge, lived experience, and best practices in lactation care, advocacy, and public health.

Version 1.0
July 2026