American River Midwifery

09/17/2025

The natural term for humans to breastfeed is anywhere between 2 and 7+ years. Some babies stop earlier, some carry on for longer.

Many cultures around the world breastfeed to natural term, including many women in the Western world. This age range is only surprising in cultures that interrupt breastfeeding, often without realising it or knowing which norms are biological and which are cultural.

The concentration of fats and proteins increase as a baby grows into a toddler, along with increased levels of antibacterial and antiviral components such as lysozyme, which is an anti-inflammatory, and destroys bacteria.

Lysozyme increases in concentration from about 6 months old, when babies become more mobile and everything (toys, sand, cats biscuits?) goes straight in the mouth, and keeps increasing after the first year.

The concentration of Lactoferrin also increases over time. Lactoferrin inhibits the growth of some cancerous cells. It also binds to the iron in our baby’s body, preventing it from being available to harmful microorganisms that need iron to survive. Lactoferrin also kills the bacteria strep mutans, a cause of tooth decay and cavities.

Our body’s immune system takes around 6 years to become fully mature, so the support of the protective factors in breastmilk until our immune system can fully function on its own seems play a part in the timescale of natural term weaning too.

Longer term breastfeeding is also associated with reduced risk of diseases for mothers, including breast cancer.

We acknowledge that many mothers find it difficult to establish breastfeeding in the first place, that is a multi-layered investment on the part of a mother and that natural term feeding might not feel like, or be, a possibility for many.

We're not here to tell anyone what to do.

We also acknowledge that lack of information about our biology contributes to lack of support for mothers when they want to establish, or continue, breastfeeding, but cannot find the help they need from people who understand why it matters, or what is normal.

More at https://human-milk.com/pages/science-of-breastmilk

08/30/2025

In upright breech birth, the baby’s bottom sometimes touches the ground before the rest of the body follows.
This isn’t an accident. It’s physiology.✨

🌍 That grounding contact gives a gentle stimulus reminding the body what just happened.
🫁 It creates the space for rotation, letting the baby twist and turn exactly as designed.
👐 And it protects the sacred hands-off approach, where we wait instead of tug, where we trust instead of interfere.

Birth is choreography.

Even the baby’s bottom touching down has a role.

Trust gravity.
Trust the wisdom written into our bodies.

-Love,
Badassmotherbirther

08/29/2025

The most common question I get in my comments is simple:

How can I prevent them from taking my placenta?

The most obvious answer is to birth outside of a hospital. Choosing a home birth puts you in a safer environment. You are not subjected to hospital protocols. Your chances of an unnecessary C-section drop, your baby’s chances of being healthier increase, and the chances of your placenta being harvested are zero.

I know home birth isn’t possible for everyone, and there is no judgment here about how you choose to bring life into the world. But for the women asking what they can do, this is a solution within your control.

If you want to stay updated on my research and other critical insights, click the link to subscribe to my newsletter. You’ll also get my signature protocol for free.

https://ow.ly/3uJ050WNzTY

08/27/2025

Imagine breastfeeding another mother’s starving and malnourished baby. That’s exactly what Officer Celeste Ayala did.

Celeste was a new mother herself.
Without hesitation, she opened her uniform, held him close, and breastfed him.

That single act of compassion saved him.
A colleague snapped a photo, and it went viral around the world.

Her superiors praised her.
The public celebrated her.
And she was promoted for her bravery.

But what stands out most isn’t her badge or her title.
It’s her heart.

This is what a mother’s love looks like, endless, sacrificial, unbreakable.
Share this story to help normalise breastfeeding ❤️

Would you breastfeed another mamas baby ?

The Breastmilk Queen - Amy McGlade

08/27/2025

Honoring Dr. Michel Odent (1930–2025)

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Michel Odent, a visionary who transformed how the world understands birth and breastfeeding.

✨ His gentle wisdom reminded us that mothers’ instincts matter, that birth can be respected, and that breastfeeding is part of a lifelong connection of love.

For decades, he worked closely with La Leche League, speaking at LLL gatherings and advising our LLLI Professional Advisory Board. He always affirmed the gentle continuum from birth to early breastfeeding.

Our hearts are with his family and loved ones. We are deeply grateful for their kindness in remembering La Leche League at this time, a gesture that beautifully reflects the values Dr. Odent dedicated his life to.



Photo: Michel Odent – portrait, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

08/17/2025

08/14/2025

Send a message to learn more

08/14/2025

08/07/2025

He's not afraid to speak the truth.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Stuart Fischbein—renowned OBGYN, midwifery ally, and co-host of the Birthing Instincts podcast—unpacks the truth behind modern ...