On this episode, Dina interviews Dr. Elaine Fitzgerald Lewis, a maternal & child health expert at the Education Development Center. They discuss the benefits of breastfeeding for both individuals and populations as a whole. They cover the challenges to successful breastfeeding as well as program & policy efforts to support those who choose to feed their infants this way. Dr. Fitzgerald Lewis also shares her personal experiences with breastfeeding advocacy. They highlight racial equity as a critical factor.

References:1. Neu J, Sullivan S. Baby and breast: a dynamic interaction. Pediatric Research. 2012;71(2):135-135. doi:10.1038/pr.2011.35

2. Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJD, et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet. 2016;387(10017):475-490. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7

3. Anstey EH, Chen J, Elam-Evans LD, Perrine CG. Racial and Geographic Differences in Breastfeeding - United States, 2011-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66(27):723-727. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6627a3

4. Office of the Surgeon General (US), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US), Office on Women’s Health (US). The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. Office of the Surgeon General (US); 2011. Accessed August 3, 2020. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK52682/

5. Rollins NC, Bhandari N, Hajeebhoy N, et al. Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices? The Lancet. 2016;387(10017):491-504. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01044-2