Dear Black Mamas who Breastfeed longer…

Dear Black mamas who chose to breastfeed a little longer, I see you.

I get it. I get the judgment, because truthfully, I once held it too. I didn’t understand it. I had never seen it up close. And let’s be real, in a world that constantly objectifies Black women’s bodies, it can feel almost foreign to see breastfeeding for what it truly is: nourishment, comfort, and connection for the baby and the mama too.

The reason I’m specifically talking to Black mamas right now is because for a lot of us, this is not something we grew up seeing. Especially when you understand the historical context of what breastfeeding has meant for Black women. If you’re not familiar with that, I encourage you to look it up.

But I see you choosing this path anyway. I see you holding your babies close even when the side-eyes come, even when the questions start. And I just want to say… good job.

At over two years in, my body still produces milk, something I didn’t even expect. But it reminds me every day that this is what my body was designed to do. And when nothing else soothes my son, especially when he’s sick, I’m grateful that I can still give him something only I can.

We’ve been slowly weaning for months, and now we’re nearing the end of this chapter. I just want to honor what I’ve been able to do, and honor you too.

And while this message is for the mamas who have continued breastfeeding, it’s not about excluding anyone. Every mama does what she feels is best for her baby, and that alone deserves respect and celebration.

Because sometimes all a mama needs to hear is, “You’re doing great.”