Committing to Breastfeeding in Social Work

Abstract

This article addresses the importance of breastfeeding for the social work profession. Because breastfeeding is a critical component of maternal and child health, persistent racial and socioeconomic breastfeeding inequality is a social justice issue in need of social work commitment. Even while breastfeeding rates have been increasing in the United States there are some groups of mothers who initiate breastfeeding less frequently or have trouble with sustaining breastfeeding for recommended lengths. These mothers and their babies thus miss out on the ample benefits of this nurturing interaction. Using social work's unique disciplinary perspective and commitment to social justice, the authors place essential understanding of breastfeeding health benefits within the core values of the National Association of Social Work ethical code. The practice context for early breastfeeding intervention with mothers and families is discussed with acknowledgment of the maternal-child health focus at the root of the profession. Recognition of the potential of contemporary social work to advance breastfeeding equity through practice, scholarship, and action positions breastfeeding support activities as integral to meeting the grand challenges of the social work profession.

Maltreatment and NICU Infants

“…Breastfeeding aligns with the core ethical values of social work (Hurst et al, 2018). Health equity and promotion are part of social work's historic roots and is a core value of social work service (Hurst et al, 2018). Breastfeeding is a reproductive right and justice concern for all women (Smith, 2018).…”

“…Breastfeeding is a reproductive right and justice concern for all women (Smith, 2018). However, there are persistent disparities in breastfeeding rates among low-income, African American women (Hurst et al, 2018) therefore improving breastfeeding rates aligns with the social work value of social justice. Similarly, the overrepresentation of infants in child maltreatment rates, and particularly NICU infants, present a public health disparity.…”

“…Similarly, the overrepresentation of infants in child maltreatment rates, and particularly NICU infants, present a public health disparity. The importance of human relationships is a value that is promoted through the bonding and attachment process of breastfeeding (Hurst et al, 2018). The breastfeeding process provides social workers with the opportunity to exemplify the value of dignity and worth of persons through inclusion of breastfeeding practices and breastfeeding choices (Hurst et al, 2018).…”

“…The importance of human relationships is a value that is promoted through the bonding and attachment process of breastfeeding (Hurst et al, 2018). The breastfeeding process provides social workers with the opportunity to exemplify the value of dignity and worth of persons through inclusion of breastfeeding practices and breastfeeding choices (Hurst et al, 2018). The ethical value of competence reflects the social workers' need to be educated and familiar with current breastfeeding recommendations and guidelines (Hurst et al, 2018) and to act with integrity as it relates to honest and truthful support of breastfeeding women, especially those with substance use challenges to promote optimal recovery, (Hurst et al, 2018;Trainor, 2022) and advocate for maternal/infant soothing and bonding.…”