Black infants are less likely to receive breastmilk at six months compared to white infants—49 percent versus 61 percent. Breastfeeding offers lifelong health benefits, and unequal access to support can deepen health gaps that begin at birth.
A recent randomized trial of over 2,000 new mothers found that telelactation—virtual visits with lactation consultants—can help close this gap. Among Black women who had access to telelactation, 65 percent were breastfeeding at six months postpartum, compared to 57 percent in the control group. That’s a meaningful improvement for both mothers and babies.
Yet access to lactation support remains uneven. Many new mothers lose contact with consultants after leaving the hospital, just as their milk supply begins. Outpatient support is often limited by insurance coverage, provider shortages, and state Medicaid restrictions. In 15 states, Medicaid doesn’t cover outpatient breastfeeding support at all.
Even where coverage exists, barriers persist. Some states cap the number of visits or restrict them to a short window after birth. Others require lactation consultants to hold additional licenses to qualify for reimbursement. These policies disproportionately affect Black women, who are more likely to face systemic barriers to care.
Telelactation offers a flexible, scalable solution—but only if policies support it. Without thoughtful design and enforcement, telehealth could worsen disparities. With it, we have a chance to improve maternal and infant health where it’s needed most.
See: “Telelactation Could Reduce Disparities In Breastfeeding” (March 26, 2025)
