GREENSBORO, N.C. — A program at North Carolina A&T State University is working to create more diversity and representation in the lactation consultants field.
What You Need To Know
NC A&T is the first public HBCU to offer the Human Lactation Pathway 2 Certificate with intention of producing more lactation consultants who are people of color
North Carolina has the seventh highest infant mortality rate in the nation, according to the CDC
Native American, Black and Hispanic babies are more than two times more likely to die before their first birthday, according to the CDC
Sierra Bizzell is wrapping up her time at North Carolina A&T’s Pathway 2 program, working to become a certified lactation consultant. After having her first child, Bizzell struggled to conceive a second and battled infertility. In her journey, she was inspired to become a doula to help parents create families.
“I never thought I’d be able to actually help other people who are having babies, so to be able to help someone starting their journey, after going through such a traumatic experience of my own is very, very awesome,” Bizzell said.
Bizzell started the Pathway 2 program in August 2021, where she’s learned the science behind breastfeeding in the classroom and in practice at Cone Health’s MedCenter for Women in Greensboro. Bizzell believes it’s important for lactation consultants to represent the communities and clients they’re serving.
“Oftentimes because in the Black community we’ve had so many issues with systemic racism, we tend to not really trust the medical community as much, but when you see people that look like you, you feel a little bit more comfortable and when you have that representation, and you see people that are actually breastfeeding that look like you it makes you feel like you can actually do this,” Bizzell said.
North Carolina’s infant mortality rate is the seventh highest in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Native American, Black and Hispanic babies are more than two times more likely to die before reaching their first birthday. Researchers say breastfeeding can help, cutting down on respiratory illness and sudden infant death syndrome, according to the National Library of Medicine.
North Carolina A&T is the first public historically Black college or university to establish a program with the intention of producing lactation consultants who are people of color. Bizzell says the impact is already being noticed in local hospitals.
“We have absolutely come into the hospitals and changed the way that people think about lactation… It’s been rewarding because I see what we’re doing is actually creating change in the community,” Bizzell said.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina gave more than $4 million toward narrowing the gap in racial and health disparities in the state, giving $450,000 to the lactation program. The goal is to open a lactation clinic to serve minority areas in Guilford County and around the state, according to the company.
Students like Bizzell are completing 95 hours of coursework and more than 300 hours of supervised practice before finishing the program in May. Afterward, they will take the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants exam.
For more information on the program, click here.