Lactivism: The Breastfeeding Revolution | Postpartum Doula Los Angeles

Lactivism, a term coined in the 1970s, refers to the advocacy and activism surrounding breastfeeding. Lactivists, such as La Leche League founder Mary White, have worked to normalize and promote breastfeeding, often in the face of societal stigma and corporate opposition. The movement has sparked controversy, with some critics accusing lactivists of shaming formula-feeding mothers, while others see it as a necessary pushback against the infant formula industry's aggressive marketing tactics. According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Human Lactation, breastfeeding rates have increased significantly in recent decades, with 83.2% of mothers in the US initiating breastfeeding. However, racial and socioeconomic disparities persist, with Black and low-income mothers facing unique barriers to breastfeeding. As the lactivist movement continues to evolve, it raises important questions about maternal autonomy, corporate influence, and the future of infant feeding.