Milky Mama Launches Scholarship Fund

Milky Mama’s Krystal Duhaney

Milky Mama, the makers of lactation treats designed to promote breast milk productions, has created the Milk Mama Scholarship Fund to assist Black women who aspire to become certified lactation consultants. The announcement comes in support of National Breastfeeding Month, World Breastfeeding Week and Black Breastfeeding Awareness Week, where women around the world bring awareness to resources that help mothers with their nursing experiences. 

The lack of diversity among lactation consultants is often cited as a reason for the racial disparities in breastfeeding rates, according to Krystal Nicole Duhaney, Milky Mama’s founder, a registered nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Counselor, and a breastfeeding mom of two. Recent CDC data shows that 75 percent of white women have breastfed versus 58.9 percent of Black women. And with Black babies dying at twice the rate as white babies, experts agree that higher numbers of breastfeeding moms could decrease that mortality rate.

White lactation consultants may be well-intentioned, but not culturally knowledgeable or sensitive enough to properly support new Black moms, says Duhaney. “As a Black woman and breastfeeding advocate, I am thrilled that we have started the Milky Mama Scholarship Fund,” she said. “Having an army of new Black Certified Lactation Consultants will surely help new Black moms successfully navigate their breastfeeding journey AND, God willing, save babies’ lives.”

The scholarship fund will pay for the certification courses and exam fees for those who want to be lactation consultants, with initial funds coming from Milky Mama sales. On August 25—the first day of Black Breastfeeding Awareness Week—Milky Mama will donate 100 percent of its online sales for the day into the fund. The company hopes to raise tens of thousands of dollars that day toward the educational endeavor. 

Milky Mama will announce details about applying for the scholarships in September. The brand has also partnered with other brands in the lactation space to offer 20 Instagram giveaways during the month of August.