Hmong Women DO Breastfeed! Hmong women have always breastfed C - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Hmong Women DO Breastfeed! Hmong women have always breastfed C hanging the narrative on H mong breastfeeding The Motherland Refugees in Northern Thailand � Hmong are a collective society � Many Hmong escaped to � Agriculture Thailand � Lived in refugee camps (how � Babies were taken with mothers to many were there and who they the fields or stayed home with lived with) caregivers � Babies breastfed or wet -nursed � Babies breastfed and wet nursed � Babies stayed with mothers � “Yog tsis muaj mis niam me nyuam tsis loj hlob” ( without breastmilk babies can’t grow ) Courtesy of Y ang fam ily Courtesy of Yang family

Life in Asmesliskas (America) � Many Hmong immigrated to US � “Americans don’t breastfeed” Breastmilk and breastfeeding are IMPORT � “Breastfeeding is ‘backwards’” the H mong. � Reported nurses or doctors did not ask if wanted to breastfeed � Work or school - formula is more convenient � Decline in breastfeeding Courtesy of Yang family Hmong women’s comments on Many Hmong believe breastmilk Hmong Breastfeeding Photo/Art Contest � “Powerful” � Healing ceremonies � Lightning belief � Nourishes - “giving your child life” � “The children I breastfed are more obedient and patient with me compared Courtesy of MDH WIC Program to the children I didn’t breastfeed.”

Courtesy of Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition 1. Change the narrative on Hmong breastfeeding How does supporting Hmong breastfeed 2. Include Hmong pregnant women, mothers, fathers, look? and elders in breastfeeding outreach and education 3. Amplify Hmong breastfeeding stories 4. Support Hmong lactation consultant education Thank you!