Two Mothers Faced Breastfeeding Challenges — One Found Support, While the Other Lost Custody

Have you ever felt the need for professional assistance as a parent? Have you ever feared that seeking help could be seen as a sign of incompetence, potentially leading to the loss of your children? For many, the answer is a resounding no. However, some might quickly judge a mother who finds herself in such a predicament.

It’s a harrowing thought that no parent wishes to confront. Most would likely believe there’s no scenario that could lead to their children being taken away. But consider these two very different situations.

One mother called emergency services at an ungodly hour to obtain formula for her crying infant, while another took her child to the ER after consulting three different healthcare providers about his insufficient fluid intake.

Can you guess which mother had her children taken away by child protective services? If you thought it was the one who called for emergency help, you would be mistaken. The details of each scenario reveal a stark contrast.

The Story of Emily Brown

Let’s delve into the first mother’s story. Emily Brown, a white woman and a popular mom blogger from Utah, has nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram. In January 2020, she reached out to the police at 2 AM when she found herself out of breastmilk for her infant daughter. Her husband was away, and her four other children were asleep. She claimed that medication had impacted her milk supply and that she had no formula on hand.

The police arrived and, misunderstanding the situation, initially brought her a gallon of cow’s milk instead of infant formula. After realizing their mistake, they returned with baby formula funded out of their own pockets. One officer even shared that he had used the same formula for his own child and hoped it would agree with Emily’s baby.

Emily documented the incident on Instagram, and her story quickly went viral, receiving coverage from various news outlets and even an appearance on a major news program. She was portrayed as a desperate mother seeking assistance, while the police officers were hailed as heroes.

The Story of Ava Johnson

Now, let’s turn to the story of another mother, Ava Johnson, a Black woman living in Florida. Ava, a former contestant on a well-known talent show, faced her own struggles with breastfeeding her 15-month-old son. Her milk supply diminished due to pregnancy, and her son was refusing to drink anything else. After consulting three different healthcare professionals, she took him to a hospital for help.

At the hospital, Ava was pressured into signing a document that restricted her from leaving until the staff deemed it safe. A couple of weeks later, the hospital claimed she had refused a necessary vitamin injection, leading to social services taking her son under allegations of medical neglect. Shortly thereafter, her newborn daughter was also taken by the state.

While both mothers’ experiences garnered media attention, they received strikingly different responses. Many criticized Ava for seeking help, while others rallied in support of her situation. As a mother of color, the disparities in treatment are glaringly apparent and deeply troubling.

Systemic Issues and Racial Disparities

It is easy to criticize Ava’s actions, but the truth lies in recognizing that her circumstances reflect a broader systemic issue. Emily’s privilege allowed her to call the police without fear of repercussions, while Ava faced punishment for seeking medical assistance under similar circumstances.

Unfortunately, the support systems for mothers and children in this country often fail those who need it the most. Society tends to label mothers as failures rather than addressing the systemic inequalities that contribute to these failures. Mothers of color and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds frequently face harsher scrutiny and consequences for similar challenges.

The child welfare system is inherently flawed, with racial and ethnic disparities widely acknowledged. Many critics argue that implicit and explicit biases influence decision-making processes, leading to disproportionate outcomes for families of color. In one initiative, Nassau County’s “color blind” program significantly reduced the removal rates of Black children, highlighting the impact of bias.

It is unacceptable for any parent to have their children taken away after actively seeking help. Acknowledging the privilege that shapes these experiences is crucial in highlighting racial injustices faced by mothers like Ava Johnson.

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In summary, the experiences of Emily Brown and Ava Johnson illustrate the stark contrasts in how mothers are treated when facing similar challenges. The systemic issues within our society highlight a troubling reality where privilege plays a significant role in the outcomes of parental support.