Presentation Information

Safer Informal Milk Sharing: MAMMA's Mission to Support Black Breastfeeding Mothers

• Speaker: Kamaria Dansby , B.S
• Speaker: Kiana Ayers , RN, IBCLC, LCCE
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits:

Abstract:

Black mothers often encounter significant barriers to accessing breastfeeding education and support, challenges that have been intensified by recent infant formula shortages reaching up to 70% in some areas¹. To address this critical need, Ready Set Push, a nonprofit supporting Black mothers, collaborated with local lactation consultants and community organizations to establish the Metro Atlanta Mother’s Milk Alliance (MAMMA).

MAMMA fills a crucial gap in support for short-term breastfeeding crises, such as maternal hospitalizations or sudden declines in milk supply, by providing a safer and informal human milk-sharing network. Grounded in the four pillars of safer milk sharing—informed choice, donor screening, safe handling, and home pasteurization—MAMMA ensures secure, non-monetary exchanges of human milk².

A multidisciplinary team comprising lactation consultants, birth workers, and community members works collectively to vet donors and manage the logistics of milk transport and storage. Since its launch, MAMMA has assisted 30 families across Georgia and plans to broaden its reach further. Committed to empowering Black communities, Ready Set Push aims to scale MAMMA's impact, demonstrating how Black-led community organizations can effectively address and reduce maternal and infant health disparities.