The Milk + Honey Co.

04/22/2026

Interesting... "Third-trimester pineapple consumption was associated with improved cervical ripening, shorter labor duration, and higher rates of spontaneous vaginal delivery without adverse neonatal outcomes. These findings support further investigation of dietary influences on labor outcomes."
https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2026/04170/the_impact_of_pineapple_consumption_on_cervical.18.aspx

04/15/2026

04/13/2026

🙏🏾

04/09/2026

Hmm.. well looka there!

The difference is clear.

Vaginal birth rates in the U.S. hover around 68%.
In Alabama, it’s closer to 65%.
Locally, hospitals average around 64%.

✨ At Alabama Birth Center: 96.7% ✨

When birth is supported, not rushed, outcomes change. 💛
Midwifery care matters.

04/03/2026

Research shows that babies who sleep close to a parent receive thousands of additional hours of physical touch during early development. This contact is not merely comfort. It sends continuous sensory signals that help the infant nervous system organize responses to stress, sound, temperature, and emotional cues in everyday environments.
Touch activates receptors that influence heart rate, breathing rhythm, and hormone balance. When infants experience consistent physical closeness, cortisol levels tend to remain lower while oxytocin increases. These shifts support immune function and create biological conditions that encourage stable growth and reduced stress sensitivity over time.
Brain development is also shaped through repeated sensory interaction. Physical contact strengthens neural pathways involved in emotional regulation, attention, and social recognition. The developing brain interprets safe touch as environmental security, allowing energy to shift from survival monitoring toward exploration, learning, and adaptive behavior patterns.
Secure attachment forms when infants repeatedly experience responsiveness and safety. This attachment is linked to stronger emotional resilience, healthier relationships, and improved coping skills later in life. Sleeping close does not spoil children. It provides regulatory input the brain expects during early years when self soothing systems are still developing and learning.

04/01/2026

Two chemicals used to make plastic more flexible are linked to nearly 2 million premature births and the deaths of 74,000 newborns worldwide in 2018, according to a new study. https://cnn.it/4c1r6kl

03/22/2026

We rarely mention, in addition to physical and educational support that doulas provide, the emotional care doulas provide to families by lowering cortisol and nervous system regulation. Stress is a contributing factor to preterm births too, especially in Black communities where preterm births are the highest. The emotional labor of continuous presence is unmatched. Even with all the education and care—if you don’t feel safe in your body it will impact how you birth.

According to the March of Dimes 2025 US report card:

"In 2024, nearly 380,000 babies were born preterm—1 in 10 births—placing the US among the highest rates in developed nations. Progress is not reaching the families who need it most."

"For the fourth consecutive year, the United States earned a D+ grade for preterm birth, marking the longest stretch of the lowest grade in Report Card history."

Less than 8 US states earned A and B reports. The US is failing our most vulnerable women and children.

We cannot emphasize enough that doulas are bandaids on the massive wound that is US health care. We aid in improving outcomes for each of our clients but we are not the solution, neither is the responsibility ours.

Nonetheless, a 2024 study found doula support was associated with a 29% lower risk of preterm birth. Why?

It's likely multifaceted but doula care is often associated with:

✨️ Education about risk factors, red flag symptoms, and ways to reduce risks around a variety of pregnancy complications
✨️ Encouragement to attend all prenatal care appointments
✨️ Continuity of support and encouragement of advocacy - if something feels off, you deserve appropriate care!
✨️ Reminding parents of their rights during pregnancy and labor

Not all cases of preterm labor can be prevented and we don't always know why a preterm labor occurs. However, there are things we can do, when families have access to proper medical care, to reduce the risk of preterm labor. Some ways to reduce risk include:

✨️ Adequate prenatal care
✨️ Continuity of care with midwives
✨️ Continuity of care with an OB
✨️ Addressing any signs of and treating UTIs
✨️ Adequate support, including nutrition support, for parents with hyperemesis gravidarum
✨️ Educating parents and providing screening for risk of cervical insufficiency and treating it
✨️ Establishing care in the first trimester
✨️ Proper support for managing gestational diabetes
✨️ Monitoring blood pressure and signs of preeclampsia

If your response to this is, "but doesn't everyone already have access to those things?" unfortunately, no. Many disparities in care exist.

03/12/2026

New Infographic: Antenatal Hand Expression

Our evidence-based handout provides guidance on expressing and storing colostrum during late pregnancy, including potential benefits, safety considerations, and realistic expectations. It encourages discussion with an obstetrical provider before starting.

Free printable PDF handouts are available for download on our website — designed for clinicians and families.

Antenatal Hand Expression Infographic:https://lacted.org/resources/BFHandouts/infographics/IABLE_Antenatal_Hand_Expression_Infographic.pdf

Antenatal Hand Expression Handout:https://lacted.org/resources/BFHandouts/iable_bf-ed_antenatal_hand_expression.pdf

Access all free handouts: https://lacted.org/iable-breastfeeding-education-handouts/

02/24/2026

From the desk of BLKBRY, LLC

This workshop is Birth worker/provider focused but is open to all. Thank you for your support!

Register & join us: https://www.blkbry.com/event-details-registration/oxytocin-flow-lactation-intimacy-workshop

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday 2/25 10:30-12 pm PT - virtual

This 90 minute intimacy-focused workshop is an opportunity for birth workers and lactation professionals of King County to learn tips and "tracks" to use with their clients. Our facilitators, Tiffani Dickerson, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Jai Fields, Pleasure Expert and Full Spectrum Birthworker, will lead us through a session on:

How lactation hormones affect desire and arousal
Historical context of Black bodies and lactation
What "touched out" really means and how to navigate it
Talking through what feels "taboo"
The importance of solo-intimacy and connection
Reclaiming pleasure while honoring your healing

Register & join us: https://www.blkbry.com/event-details-registration/oxytocin-flow-lactation-intimacy-workshop

A workshop on lactation and intimacy for birthworkers and lactation professionals

01/15/2026

In a state that had legislated its commitment to life, Graham spent her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers.

01/14/2026

Asking for help is a strength—not a last resort. 🤍

Our FREE Virtual Lactation Clinic is designed to meet you where you are, whether you’re working through latch challenges, pumping questions, or supply worries.

✔ No appointments
✔ No judgment
✔ Live support from trained student lactation consultants
✔ Supervised by Leslie Owens, RN IBCLC

🗓 Clinic Hours
Wednesdays | 9 AM – 3 PM EST
Saturdays | 10 AM – 2 PM EST
Sundays | 4 PM – 8 PM EST

🔗 Join live:
https://lactation.vsee.me/u/clinic

📞 Need help later?
FREE Warm Line: 888-791-MILK | 8 AM – 11 PM EST

Because timely support can change everything. 💛

01/05/2026

The so-called "fetal personhood" movement just received a serious blow. An Alabama judge has thrown out the conviction of Brooke Shoemaker, who was serving 18 years for a stillbirth.

The state tried to turn a medical emergency - an infection - into a crime.

After five stolen years behind bars, her conviction is gone. Criminalizing grief isn't "pro-life." It is state-sponsored cruelty.

Sadly, Shoemaker has already served five years.