My Philosophy

Empowerment, security, trust, intuition and informed choice are central to my philosophy of care, which extend from broader political beliefs supporting reproductive justice for ALL families regardless of gender identity, race, ethnicity, marital status, age, weight, disability, nationality or socioeconomic status.   

Irene Dreith, IBCLC

Irene Dreith is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Counselor and Educator (CLEC).

Irene Dreith completed Bachelor of Art degrees in Biochemistry and Integrative Physiology with additional emphasis in the fields of public health and neuroscience at the University of Colorado in Boulder.  In addition, Irene Dreith has experience working as a professional researcher, community herbalist, domestic violence advocate for women and children, and HIV test counselor and educator. Irene is currently attending graduate school to deepen her knowledge of human nutrition and functional medicine.

Irene discovered her deep love of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and attachment parenting following the birth of her son in 2013.  She completed her board certification for lactation consulting through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners in 2017 after interning with Faith McGinn at Kaiser Permanente in Denver, Colorado.  During her clinical training, she helped provide postpartum care and breastfeeding support for hundreds of families in both outpatient and in-home settings throughout the Denver Metro area.  Irene moved from Ridgway, Colorado to Sandpoint, Idaho in the fall of 2020 and continues to provide lactation services for families in North Idaho and Eastern Washington.

Formerly Loveroot Lactation

Loveroot is another name for Ligusticum porterii, otherwise known as Osha Root, Bear Root, Porter’s Lovage, Empress of the Dark Forest, Chuchupate, and Nepo.  Loveroot grows in the Rocky Mountains, it is the bear’s first food after emerging from hibernation in the spring, and it is used medicinally by every single culture that lives near it.  

Following a long winter, bears emerge from hibernation and seek out Loveroot before any other source of nourishment.  When Bear has found its medicine, it ceremoniously digs up the root, chews and spits the root out, and rubs the root all over its body.  It is a dance, a ritual, a ceremonious welcoming of brighter, warmer days.  

Without access to Loveroot, Bear’s spirit is dull.  Bears in captivity without access to native plants have been observed to display abnormally antisocial behavior, such as avoiding connection with other bears in their habitat.  With the mere introduction of Loveroot, the bears accept the root and begin to behave differently; they begin to behave, well, more like bears.  They become interested in interacting with other bears and they soften their overly-grizzly demeanor. 

In essence, Loveroot is a numinous catalyst that enlivens our spirits, connects us to our wild, intuitive selves, and acts as a potent antidote to captivity.  I wish for all parents to embrace and feel supported by the spirit of Loveroot during their rite of passage into parenthood.