Long Beach Breastfeeds

02/16/2024

The last time I breastfed was March 13, 2020. Bijan weaned because Rosita home from school was too big a distraction. Six months later she wanted chichi time again, but it was too late for us. We both still miss it. So much. Among the things Bijan laments most from the pandemic, is the loss of chichi time.

I breastfed continuously for over ten years. A full decade, 1/4 of my life, my body fed the humans I made. It was beautiful, irritating, magical, mundane, and the most normal and powerful connection. Birthing at home and breastfeeding children who weaned on their own were powerful connections to my ancestors. Decolonizing my motherhood is a gift to my girls and abuelas.

Tonight I drove all over Long Beach collecting donated breastmilk for a friend's family member. The love and generosity showed by strangers never ceases to amaze me. With tears in my eyes, I drove from one new mama with extra milk to another, remembering the years I too donated so much milk. I made enough to easily feed giant twins, but only had one tiny baby at a time. Donating my breastmilk meant a lot to me.

At the last house I got to hold a most precious beautiful baby. My body responded to her scent and cooing. I swear I could pump breastmilk right now. But that time of my life is over. The glorious chapter of being a new mamá has been replaced by parenting a teenager and a spicy third grader. I will sleep well tonight thinking of generations of my abuelas who nourished us from their bodies, and this beautiful donated breastmilk.

***rBIPOCpeoplebreastfeedtoo

12/20/2023

10/13/2022

Have a beautiful day!

10/16/2021

Absolutely fantastic news.

Access to menstrual products should be easy — now it's one less thing California students have to worry about.

10/10/2021

Seems off-topic, but it's not. Did you know low milk supply can be from stress? An unfortunate cycle is stress causes low supply, which causes stress, which causes low supply... Telling someone to simply "relax" is pretty useless advice. Think of the environment you are in. Is it negatively impacting your fertility, pregnancy, birthing, feeding? "Get out" is often harder than people think. But you're capable. You're stronger than you think. You and your children deserve healthy environments. Please remember, your body doesn't fail. Your body is beautiful and capable. Emotionally and physically toxic environments are the problem. Not you.

10/03/2021

Women of Long Beach are the real chingonas running this place. 💜✊🏾💚 My daughter and I loved today at LB March and Rally for Reproductive Justice, even though we melted. We melted with community. Everything is better in community.

I am Maricela de Rivera, the co-founder and director of Long Beach Breastfeeds. I am the proud mamá of two incredible young daughters. I've had two abortions. The last piece of my story is none of your business. I share it so no one else ever has to.

Over 9 years ago I founded LBB to address the lack of equity in public health. It started with a focus on feeding our children. Quickly shifted to the freedom to birth the way we want. That fast came to include the transgender and non-binary communities also birthing, feeding their children, and q***r families defining families and parenthood for themselves, in community.

What started as a lack of women of color, specifically this q***r woman of color, feeling seen in the lactation and birthing world became a movement. Thousands of breastfeeding, chestfeeding, birthing, and adoptive families being told to trust their bodies, their instincts, and our community. Dozens of these folks have reached out to LBB over the years for family planning counsel. Good parents also choose to abort unwanted pregnancies. I know because I've done it twice and I'm a great mamá.

Yes, we have helped dozens of mostly women seek abortions. I will not share the sob stories. Because I don't know them. It's none of my business. Or yours. Or any lawmaker's. A person should choose not to be a parent if they don't want to be a parent. They should choose to limit their family if that is what they want.

Let's be clear, Reproductive Justice does not begin with pregnancy and end with birth. Reproductive justice is informed consent during birth. Reproductive justice is feeding your children from a breast or a bottle. Reproductive justice is universal healthcare, robust parental leave, fully funded public schools, and safety from law enforcement. Reproductive justice is for women, men, non-binary folks, cis, trans, q***r,and straight folks.

Reproductive justice is the right to determine our own destiny. We will accept nothing less.
💜✊🏾💚

10/01/2021

Long Beach Breastfeeds is proud to co-sponsor Women of Long Beach's LB March and Rally for Reproductive Justice this Saturday. Reproductive justice is everyone's issue.



Bring:
👟 Comfy shoes
💧 Water & Snack
⚡️ Portable Charger
😷 Mask
🧴 Hand Sanitizer
👜 F***y Pack + ID

Don't Bring: 👇🏽👇🏽
❌ Coat hanger imagery
❌ "Handmaid's Tale" outfits
❌ Weapons

Are you ready to rally, Long Beach?

Event info: https://fb.me/e/5M0qsB66f

09/04/2021

Did you know you can breastfeed through an entire pregnancy? We've done it. Did you know you can breastfeed with some forms of birth control? We've done that too. Did you know you can breastfeed if you take RU486, to prevent a pregnancy? Yes, we've done that. Did you know you can still breastfeed if you have an abortion? We've helped many a LBB member. And we'll help you. Even if you're a stranger. If you don't want to have another child, for any reason at all, we will help you. Don't tell us why. It doesn't matter to us and it's none of our business. The fact that you have a pregnancy you don't want to continue is good enough for us. You're never alone. You never have to do what you don't want to do with your body. That means, have 9 children. Breastfeed them all. Wean them all. Have 1 child. Breastfeed until your kid is 8 years old. Stop after three months. Seriously, it's your body. LBB has no goals for your body. None. Do what you want. Our only goal and reason for existing is to help you feel good about your parenting journey and to help those that want help to feed their babies human milk.

You're never alone. Whether you want that next pregnancy or not. We're here. Even if you're not in California.

(Image from Feminist Books for Kids, raising funds for Fund Texas Choice.)

07/30/2021

12/17/2020

Congratulations to newly installed Councilwoman Suely Saro! The entire City of Long Beach is fortunate to have you serve in district 6. You have broken so many barriers, and are a true role model. Plus, we love having another breastfeeding mama on the dais.

12/15/2020

We love this. Support the Black Girls Breastfeeding Club.