Breastfeeding Buddies Waterloo Region

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Kitchener, ON
Breastfeeding Buddies Waterloo Region

Providing FREE Peer to Peer Lactation Support in Waterloo Region and Beyond. Some in person programming will resume as Covid-19 restrictions change.

The Breastfeeding Buddies Program was initiated by breastfeeding mothers in the community and has been supporting families in Waterloo Region for the last 20 years. Recognizing the value of peer-to-peer support, the aim of the Breastfeeding Buddies Program is to help increase the number of parents achieving success in reaching *their* breastfeeding and chestfeeding goals - by supporting parents with the evidence based tools, resources and information they need to make informed decisions. Breastfeeding Buddies also help parents foster connections with other nursing families and their community through virtual programming and other local events. All of our peer volunteers have at least 6 months of personal breastfeeding or chestfeeding experience, complete a 3 day training program, and receive additional education opportunities to provide quality, non judgmental, evidenced based support to other nursing families. The Me Breastfeed workshop is a prenatal class for parents and their partners to attend before the baby arrives. This practical workshop offers parents and their partner's valuable information as to what to expect in the first 7 days after birth, help with overcoming common challenges, and where to find community resources. The "Latch and Learn" and "Beyond Basics" series cover many topics such as transitioning into parenthood, milk supply, night time parenting and nursing beyond a year. All families are welcome!

12/24/2025

NO ONE likes an uninvited guest - especially those who may be sharing more than just some seasonal cheer. Illnesses that may not have much of an impact on adults can have serious (and sometimes lifelong) consequences for babies. It's never okay to touch or kiss a baby unless you have been invited to do so. 💌

👉The best thing to do is let go of your expectations as you admire that adorable baby from a distance and tell the parents they are doing a good job! Trust us when we say, parents will let you know if or when it might be okay to touch or hold their baby. Until then, offer support and cheer on their decisions - they know their baby and their circumstances best.

Need support to help you reach your nursing or pumping goals? Have questions about your milk supply or latch? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with our FREE virtual and in-person support options.📲🥰

12/23/2025

Looking for support over the holidays? We're here to help! Please email us at bfbuddies@healthcaringkw.org

☃️Holiday Hours☃️
We will be in the office & available for support:

Monday December 22nd · 9am - 5pm
Tuesday December 23rd · 9am - 5pm
Wednesday December · 24th 9am until 12 noon
Monday December 29th · 9am - 5pm
Tuesday December 30th · 9am - 5pm
Wednesday December 31st · 9am until Noon
Friday January 2nd · 9am - 5pm

Our virtual programs will resume on January 6th, and our in-person programs will resume on January 8th. Our regular office hours resume January 5th. To connect with support or learn more about upcoming programming please visit the link in our bio. 📲

12/22/2025

And what happened next? Well in Boobville they say, if you nurse on demand your supply grows with your babe!🥰

Is support on your wish list? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with free workshops, one on one support and more. Whether you're pregnant and looking for the information you need BEFORE your baby’s arrival, or your baby is already here and you’re breastfeeding, chestfeeding, pumping, expressing or weaning - we’re here with peer-tested tips, tricks and free personalized support you need to make things easier. Connect with us using the link in our bio.💖

12/21/2025

Uh Oh! Do you have a plan for how to get help over the holidays in case you start feeling a little ginger?👉 This is your sign to make sure you're prepared just in case by visiting the link in our bio. There you'll be able to sign up for FREE one on one support from a Breastfeeding Buddy who can help you find the tools, tips, information and support you need during the busy holiday season or register for our upcoming Latch & Learn virtual workshops in the New Year!📲

🫄Pregnant and planning ahead? Be sure to add a Breastfeeding Buddy on your list of contacts for after your baby is born. Visit the link in our bio to learn more about how to be matched with a Buddy or to register for our FREE Prenatal Lactation Workshop "Me Breastfeed". It will give you the tips, tools and information you need BEFORE your baby arrives.

📌Please note: matched one on one support is only available to residents of Ontario at this time. However, our virtual Latch & Learn programs are open to all lactating families regardless of location.🌎 You are always welcome to attend any of our virtual sessions for support at any point in your journey.🥰

12/20/2025

🍻Thinking about having a few drinks over the holidays?🥂 Worried about nursing or pumping? Check out this great resource on alcohol and lactation! Tinyurl.com/DrinkAndNurse

12/19/2025

It's exactly what they needed! In fact, they love it so much I got them two!🤭😂🤣

Have questions about your milk supply or latch? Wish you had a little more support in your corner? Looking for tips for navigating nursing as your little one grows? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our Latch & Learn virtual workshops, or to connect with In Person support.

Pregnant and planning ahead? Be sure to register for our FREE prenatal Lactation Workshop "Me Breastfeed". It will give you the tools, tips and information you need BEFORE your baby arrives! For more information, or to register visit the link in our bio.

12/18/2025

Struggling with crying?😭 Wondering if you'll ever be able to set your baby down for long enough to find a chance to rest? Trying to calm a crying baby can feel overwhelming, especially when you're tired! Join us online (even if your baby is crying) to learn the tips you need to find more rest while learning how to navigate meeting your baby's needs (and yours too). To register for our last session of this year or to register for this or any of our other FREE Latch & Learn workshops in the New Year visit the link in our bio.🥰

12/17/2025

Spending time with family & friends over the holidays? Anticipating some questions that may leave you feeling a bit grinchy? Then be sure to give these WHO approved tips a try!😊

Have questions about your milk supply or latch? Wish you had a few more tips and tricks to make nursing or pumping and caring for your baby (and yourself) easier? Thinking of another grinchy question you wish you had a great answer for? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our FREE Virtual and In Person support options.📲🥰

12/16/2025

Have you heard of "holiday mastitis"? During the holidays, families are often so busy that nursing sessions are sometimes accidentally delayed or missed, which can increase the risk of so-called blocked ducts and mastitis. What we used to think of as a plugged or clogged duct, we now better understand to be a narrowing of the milk ducts caused by painful swelling/inflammation in the surrounding tissue.

This inflammation puts pressure on the milk ducts and causing them to narrow which impedes the flow of milk - slowing its flow. If the inflammation is not treated it can escalate into more serious symptoms.

Think you might have blocked ducts or mastitis? To avoid further inflammation, and more serious complications like inflammation accompanied by flu-like symptoms and/or infection which require medical attention and/or prescription medication - you'll need to reduce the swelling and inflammation so that your milk can flow more easily. 👉Keep your milk moving by continuing to nurse or express, apply ice or cold packs to the tender area, consider an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen, and focus on getting a deep latch. Then reach out to your Breastfeeding Buddy for support! To learn more, or to connect with a Buddy please visit the link in our bio.

12/12/2025

Don't worry, we always keep our receipts... 😉

Wish you had a few tips for dealing with unwanted advice and opinions this holiday season? Need a few gentle phrases or maybe even a couple of snappy comebacks to keep in your back pocket just in case? Have questions about your milk supply, latch or just need a few tips to make nursing or pumping while caring for your baby (and yourself) easier? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with our FREE In-Person or Virtual Support options.

12/11/2025

Wondering how to tell if your baby is getting enough?🤔🤷 Do you have questions about your milk supply? Looking for tips on how to avoid common milk supply concerns over the holiday season? Then be sure to join us for our FREE Latch & Learn workshop where you'll learn how to build and protect your milk supply, and find out what normal feeding patterns really look like! Have other breastfeeding or chestfeeding questions? Bring them along! Visit the link in the bio to learn more!

12/10/2025

What's the tea on self weaning?☕👀 Children who are allowed to self wean typically do so between the ages of 2 and 7 years old. Nursing to natural term is NORMAL and BENEFICIAL! There is no age at which your milk magically loses its benefits! In addition to being chock full of antibodies and other specialized components that help protect your child against illness and disease your milk may also provide as much as:

29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements

after the first year. Plus there are benefits for you as well! Reducing YOUR risk of certain types of cancers, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

There is no harm in continuing to nurse until you or your child are ready to wean - so long as it continues to work for BOTH of you.💖

So why don't we see more people nursing older children?🤔 Usually it's because they tend to nurse less often than younger children - sometimes as little as once or twice a day - and typically (though not always) during times when families are usually at home - such as before bed or after they wake up.😊

Wish you had a little more support in your corner? Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our free in-person and virtual support options, or to connect.📲🥰

📌Please note: It's extremely uncommon for children to self wean before the age of one. If your baby is under 12 months and refusing to nurse you're likely dealing with a nursing strike rather than a baby who’s ready to wean. Hand express or pump to keep your baby fed and your milk flowing, then connect with your healthcare provider or skilled lactation professional to rule out illness, determine the cause of the nursing strike and make a plan to help you and your baby reach your breastfeeding or chestfeeding goals.

Address

44 Francis Street S
Kitchener, ON
N2G2A2

Telephone

+15197721016

Website

https://linktr.ee/BreastfeedingBuddies

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