Rooted in Violet & Co

Breastfeeding: The Tactical Advocate

The Tactical Advocate

The Tactical Advocate: Mastering Your Care with the ROOT Framework

Key Takeaways

  • The ROOT Framework empowers Black mothers to advocate for their breastfeeding goals using self-awareness and strategic communication.
  • Track data on breastfeeding issues to convert feelings into actionable insights for healthcare providers.
  • Communicate observations with specific, fact-based language to enhance the effectiveness of medical visits.
  • Request culturally competent resources and outline personal needs to ensure tailored care.
  • Assertive advocacy restores dignity and agency; it’s essential for effective healthcare collaboration.
The Tactical Advocate

In our first article, we looked at the walls that can stand between a Black mother and her breastfeeding goals. Now, it is time to talk about your tools. At Rooted in Violet & Co., we believe you are the Architect of your health. You are your own best advocate when it comes to making decisions about your health and wellbeing.

While your doctor has clinical expertise, you have the “lived experience” of your own body. When these two voices work together, you get the best care. But if you feel unheard or dismissed, you need a “defensive shield”. That shield is the ROOT Framework —a step-by-step plan to help you move from uncertainty to strategic action.

Applying the ROOT Framework to Your Breastfeeding Journey

The Rooted in Violet & Co. Framework, also known as the ROOT Framework, is designed to make sure your identity—your “intersectional burden”—does not lead to your concerns being ignored. Here is how to use it during your postpartum and lactation visits:

R – Reveal What’s Going On

Advocacy starts with self-awareness.

  • Track Your Data: Don’t just remember your pain or your baby’s feeding times; write them down. Use a digital log or journal to track latch issues, nipple pain, or concerns about milk supply.
  • Recognize Patterns: This turns your feelings into “rigorous data” that demands a real investigation from your doctor.
  • The Goal: Remember that your body’s signals are valid and deserve answers, not just a “wait and see” approach.

O – Offer Your Observations

This is where you move from thinking to speaking.

  • Use Fact-Based Language: Be very specific. Instead of saying “breastfeeding is hard,” say, “I have noticed a sharp pain in my left breast every time the baby latches, and it lasts for five minutes”.
  • Be an Active Contributor: Your goal is to make sure your observations are entered into your official medical record.

O – Outline What You Need

You have the right to define what success looks like for you.

  • Ask for Experts: If you are struggling, ask for a referral to a culturally competent lactation consultant.
  • Demand Options: You can request specific diagnostic tests or second opinions if a care plan feels biased or “standardized” rather than personal.
  • Collaborate: Work with your team to build a plan that fits your life and your goals.

T – Take Note & Follow-Up

This step creates professional accountability.

  • The Paper Trail: Document every conversation, the name of every person you speak to, and every instruction they give you.
  • Prevent “Gaslighting”: Having a written record helps prevent the medical “gaslighting” often experienced by patients of color.
  • Reflect: After the visit, think about what worked and what didn’t, so you can change your strategy for next time.

Two Essential Skills for the Clinical Space

Beyond the framework, two specific techniques can help you stay in control during an appointment:

1. The “Loop-Back” Method

Research shows that communication gaps often happen because patients leave knowing less than when they arrived. To fix this, use the Loop-Back technique: After a doctor explains something, repeat it back to them using this script:

“To make sure I understand correctly, you are saying that I should…” This confirms you were heard and that the information is clear before you leave the room.

2. Radical Transparency

Don’t be afraid to set the tone for the visit. You can explicitly ask for:

  • Directness: “Please don’t sugarcoat the information; I want the full facts”.
  • Presence: “Could you please look me in the eye while we discuss this?”
  • Role Clarity: Ask who is responsible for what in your care team, especially if you see multiple specialists.

Advocacy Is Not Confrontation

It is common to feel nervous about “speaking up,” especially when we have been taught to “mask” our problems. Remember: Assertive advocacy is a positive form of self-care. It is not about being “difficult”; it is about helping your clinicians serve you better. By using your voice, you are restoring your dignity and agency in a system that has historically marginalized us. Your voice is, truly, the strongest medicine you have.

References

  • Deubel, T. F., Miller, E. M., Hernandez, I., Boyer, M., & Louis-Jacques, A. (2019). Perceptions and practices of infant feeding among African American women. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 58(4), 301–316.
  • Olowoyo, S. A., et al. (2026). The Influence of Sociocultural Perceptions in Breastfeeding Practices Among African American Women. Research Square.
  • Schindler-Ruwisch, J., et al. (2019). Determinants of breastfeeding initiation and duration among African American DC WIC recipients. Women’s Health Issues, 29(6), 513–521.