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!

11/21/2025

Struggling with a pinchy, painful or uncomfortable latch?😩 Wondering how to get your little one to latch more deeply? A wide open mouth is a great start! Check out the tips below to help you make the most of each latch with your little one. Need a few more tips? We're here to help! Join us for our next Latch & Learn session - you'll find answers to your questions about latching, milk supply and more! Visit the link in our bio for more information about our FREE online Latch & Learn workshops, or to connect with FREE In Person support.📲🥰

🫄Pregnant and planning ahead? Check out our FREE Prenatal Lactation workshop "Me Breastfeed". It will give you the tips, tools and information you need BEFORE your baby arrives. Visit the link in our bio to register!

11/20/2025

“You're going back to work soon right? How much longer are you gonna nurse them?” Starting to get the feeling that everyone has an opinion on how long you should nurse your baby?🤱🏾 Whether you're getting ready to go back to work or not, join us for the tips you need to reach YOUR breastfeeding or chestfeeding goals.

👉Be sure to join us for our last session before the New Year! We'll be sharing tips for dealing with common misconceptions and criticism, sharing strategies for weaning/pumping, and giving you the tools and information you need to make the transition back to work/school or the next chapter of parenthood while nursing easier!

To register for this or any of our other virtual Beyond The Basics Latch & Learn sessions visit the link in our bio.🥰

*Please note: we are located in Ontario, Canada. The information we present is based on parental leave and workplace regulations in our area.

11/19/2025

Have you seen this?!😮😮 Check out this amazing video of an MRI taken while a parent was nursing their baby. Notice how far back in the baby's mouth the ni**le goes? This is vital to getting a deep, comfortable latch. To find out why, run your tongue along the roof of your mouth from the front to the back. Notice how the roof of your mouth (or palate) transitions from hard to soft? When your baby is latched deeply your ni**le is protected by the soft part of your baby's mouth. Whereas babies who have a "shallow" latch nurse mainly on the ni**le where it is pressed/rubbed against the hard part of the palate with every suck! These pinchy/painful latches cause sore/cracked ni**les and make it difficult for your baby to access all the milk they need - making it difficult for your baby to gain weight and lowering your supply over time!

🍼It's also important to notice how the shape of the ni**le and milk making tissue changes once it's inside your baby's mouth. Keep this in mind next time you see bottles or pacifiers that are marketed with claims that they are "closest to the breast" and you'll have a good giggle knowing that those claims are just that - marketing. Just because a bottle or teat is designed to resemble a ni**le or breast either in whole or in part - doesn't mean it functions more closely (or any better) than a bottle or teat that has a less "breast-like" appearance.

👉Need some help getting a more comfortable latch? Have questions about your milk supply? Wish you had a little more support in your corner? We can help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with FREE virtual workshops, local drop in programs and more!

🎥MRI: Mills et al. May 2020

11/17/2025

Your milk is amazing - right from the start! Colostrum (your first milk) is highly concentrated & nutrient dense, rich in living components that protect your baby from infection & illness & support the development of their immune system & gut function. Colostrum is extremely important for all babies, especially those born prematurely!

Your milk can also be a powerful medicine for your , even if they aren't yet feeding by mouth! Medical providers know the power of your milk too! Gently swabbing a few drops of freshly expressed or inside a baby's mouth is known as "Oral Immune Therapy" or OIT for short. This therapy is used to support premature or sick babies who are fed by tube or who are receiving nothing by mouth (known as “NPO” in medical settings).

The positive effects are not limited to young babies either! Sick babies over 12 months old also benefit from OIT - your milk is constantly changing to meet their needs so each time you express, your baby has access to a uniquely beneficial & highly specialized milk freshly tailored to their age, stage & situation - no colostrum needed, your milk is perfect for them just the way it is!

How does OIT work? When your milk comes in contact with your baby’s mouth, it is absorbed into their body, & reacts with their saliva - allowing the specialized components contained within to:

🛡️ Protect your baby from illness & support their immune system - your milk provides them with localized & whole body protection!
🛠️Support their gut development.
🪴 Enhance their growth!
🥰 Give them positive oral & sensory stimulation
🏃🏽 Help them reach full feeds faster & begin latching & nursing sooner.
🍽️ Help them accept a wide variety of flavours as they grow by developing their tastebuds.

It also promotes increased bonding & attachment for you & your baby too!

Have questions about your or latch? Looking for tips to help make hand expression, pumping, or nursing easier? Looking for support from someone who really gets it? We’re here to help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with our FREE Virtual & In-Person support options.

11/13/2025

It's World Kindness Day!💖 Looking for ways to share a little love & kindness with the parents in your life? Check out this great list, then drop a little love below for an amazing parent, partner or supporter in your life!

👉Know someone with questions about their milk supply or latch? Are you or someone you know pregnant and looking for tips and tricks to help you prepare for your baby's arrival? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our FREE Virtual & In-Person support options, or to learn more about our FREE prenatal lactation workshop "Me Breastfeed". It will give you the tools & tips you need BEFORE your baby arrives. To learn more or to connect visit the link in our bio.📲🥰

11/12/2025

Pregnant? Wondering what you can do now to make welcoming your new baby easier? Then whether it's your first baby (or your fifth) be sure to register for our FREE prenatal workshop to learn what you need to know BEFORE your baby arrives! You and your partner or support person will discover...

✅ How to prepare to nurse your baby (even if it's not your first time).
✅ What to expect in the first few days after birth.
✅ How to find a comfortable nursing position and get a good latch.
✅ The importance of Skin to Skin and Hand Expression.
✅ Answers to YOUR lactation questions.
✅ Where to find the help, tools and information you need to reach your goals.
✅ The knowledge & skills you need to be a supportive partner/parent.

This FREE workshop is available both ONLINE and IN PERSON - to learn more, or to register check out the link in our bio or visit us online.

11/11/2025

Lest We Forget.

11/07/2025

On the Go? You can latch'em anytime, anywhere! Your right to nurse your child in public areas (like in schools, stores or on public transit) is protected by law. It is against the law to tell a nursing parent to stop, move somewhere more “discrete”, or to "cover up.”

👶🏽Remember, babies have small stomachs and need to eat frequently - so it's no wonder they get hungry on the go. Following your baby's lead helps maintain your milk supply AND keep your baby calm and relaxed. Nervous about nursing on the go? Knowing your rights can help you feel confident latching your baby !

👉Remember, nursing is a skill you learn together - you teach them and they teach you. Have questions about your milk supply or latch? Wish you had a few tips to help you feel more confident nursing while you're out and about? No need to travel across the land searching far and wide - we're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with our FREE virtual & in-person support options, or to learn more about our free prenatal lactation workshop "Me Breastfeed". It will give you the tools, tips & information you need before your baby arrives. To learn more or for upcoming dates please visit the link in our bio.📲🥰

11/06/2025

Wondering how to tell if your baby is getting enough?🤔🤷 Do you have questions about your milk supply? 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!

11/05/2025

What's the secret to a really great latch?🤔 The answer may surprise you! Notice how the baby on the left has their body tilted up/away as they try to nurse - their shoulder and hips are rotated away from the breast/chest and their belly button is aimed upwards towards the sky. While it may not seem like it at first, this position can actually make it much harder for them to get a deep comfortable latch that ensures they get all the milk they need.

👉Why? To find out, try turning your head to look over your shoulder as you take a drink of your favourite beverage. Next take a drink as you normally would with your head facing forward. Notice how much easier it is to swallow when your head is facing forward rather than to the side? The same is true for your baby! Now, look at the baby on the right - notice how they are tummy to tummy and facing the breast/chest with their ear, shoulder and hip in a line?

🪛This tiny adjustment can make a world of difference when it comes to helping your baby get more milk, more easily. Not only is your baby able to nurse more effectively, it also makes for a deeper, more comfortable latch too - both of which are key when it comes to building and maintaining your milk supply.

📌Wish you had a few more tips to make latching easier and more comfortable? Have questions about your milk supply or latch? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our Virtual Latch & Learn Workshops or to connect with In Person Support. 📲🥰

🫄Pregnant & 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. To learn more or to register, visit the link in our bio.

11/04/2025

Baby suddenly refusing to nurse?😯😓 While it can feel sad, frustrating and even scary when your baby refuses to latch, it’s important to remember that sudden refusals are almost always temporary! It's extremely uncommon for children to self wean before the age of one. It’s also very uncommon for older children to self wean suddenly without slowly reducing the frequency of their nursing sessions over time.

So, if you’re dealing with a sudden refusal to latch it's likely you're dealing with a nursing strike rather than a baby who's ready to wean. Follow the tips below 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.🤱🏾

Need support? We’re here to help! Visit the link in our bio for a list of local lactation professionals, or to find information about our weekly drop in or virtual programs - as some babies may be more inclined to nurse when they see other babies and toddlers nursing too. See you there!👋

Address

44 Francis Street S
Kitchener, ON
N2G2A2

Telephone

+15197721016

Website

https://linktr.ee/BreastfeedingBuddies

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