http://prairiebabylactation.ca/

Prairie Baby Lactation, Stony Plain, AB (2026)

02/03/2026

“Their mouth is too small for my ni**le!”
“They won’t open wide!”
“The latch is always shallow and painful.”
“My baby won’t stay on the breast and constantly pops off during a feed.”
“It seems like my baby is just sleepy at the breast, but then begins to root as soon as I unlatch them.”

These are common things I hear in my practice, as well as with patients in the hospital. And while certain cases there may be size discrepancies and issues with latching because of this, often I see baby’s are not in the most optimal position before latching onto the breast, making it seem like they are unable too.

In order to drink from a cup, we must lift our glasses and tilt our heads back. This allows us to drink properly, without spilling down our shirts, or drinking uncomfortably. For an infant, the same rings true, except your breast is the cup. They must be able to use their full range of motion for their head/neck/jaw/shoulders in order to latch on effectively and drink from the breast. Try adjusting their position so that they start a little further back from the ni**le- as weird as this may seem! Think of your ni**le as the target not the starting line.

There are also instances where it is more than just positioning, and help should be sought out from an LC. If your latch is uncomfortable, painful, there is ni**le damage, your infant is requiring constant top ups, they seem to feed 24/7 without any contentment, are sleepy/not feeding effectively, please seek out help. P.S- I am in no way a Picasso, don’t mind my drawings. 👩🏻‍🎨

12/07/2025

Whether you are an exclusive pumping parent, pumping to increase your supply, pumping because you combo feed, or pumping milk for any other reason- you want to make sure your pump works for your needs! Talking with an IBCLC prior to purchasing a pump can be supportive in your pumping journey. From pump selection, fl**ge fitting, to operation, your LC has your back. 🍼🤱🏼👶🏽
•A common misconception with breast pumps is that $= effectiveness. This is not always the case. Are you paying extra just because of the brand name? Has your pump gone viral?
Having the most expensive pump on the market does not always guarantee the best results.
•Wearable = better. This is also misconception. Wearable pumps that are used on the go, are not considered the best standard for exclusive pumping, and due to their design, are not always the best fit. These pumps come with “standard” sizing fl**ges, and then silicone inserts for smaller sizes. While this is at least considerate of smaller ni**le sizes, silicone inserts do not work for everyone. In addition to this, these pumps are known to not have the most effective motor to stimulate and remove milk in a way that can support your supply.
•”Standard Size” fl**ges aka 24mm & 21mm. If you are a 21 or a 24 mm fl**ge size, awesome! However, with more recent evidence and research, we know now that fl**ges are not a one-size-fits-all scenario, and it’s still shocking to me that pump companies produce minimal size variations. Even more frustrating is trying to find sizes that are smaller/larger in store. (Ps Amazon is your friend in this case..) A correctly fitting fl**ge can be the biggest game changer in an effective/efficient pumping session.
•Sharing is not always caring. While it is so lovely that you have friends/family willing to donate their used pump to you, it’s important to consider the age of the pump, how many hours has the pump been through, and if you are able to find replacement parts to prevent contamination.

07/06/2025

👰🏻‍♀️🤵🏻‍♂️💍

05/26/2025

Infant feeding is not always straightforward and sunny, but you don’t have to do it alone. 🌞

There are many different factors that come into play with infant feeding, and it can feel SO overwhelming to navigate options for yourself and your newborn.

Seeking support to optimize feeding with an LC can make the best out of your fourth trimester. I always tell moms that I meet: you may not ever need my help, but it’s okay if you do! 🫶🏼

It is always my goal to make you feel seen, heard, understood, and acknowledged. In addition to supporting you and your infant directly with feeding. It is my responsibility to provide you with other practitioners who can work in collaboration with myself in order to provide a well rounded care plan that helps to optimize your feeding experience with your newborn. 👶🏻

03/31/2025

Does your baby seem to be tense? Are feedings an uphill battle or a fight? Your infant may require some extra support to work through tension! 💪🏻
Tension can begin in utero depending on the position of your baby, and can be perpetuated by the action of birth itself. Post-birth recovery is not only a feat for mom, but also for baby. This doesn’t mean that your baby was injured or hurt from birth, but rather that they are just needing some extra support for their womb-to-world transition.
Tense infants often have difficulty with feedings, as their range of motion, comfort, and ability to coordinate feeding is impacted.
Finding a support team to recognize and provide appropriate solutions and interventions can be an excellent way to work through tension, and make feedings enjoyable for both mom and baby! 👶🏻🌾🫶🏼

03/27/2025

Alright mamas! I see this all the time on social media, company pages, advertisements, you name it. There are a lot of items/foods/pills/tinctures marketed as lactation boosters. But do these actually work? 🍪
•There is not a lot of evidence supporting any of these items ACTUALLY increasing milk supply. Yes it is important to ensure you’re hydrated, eating well, and nourishing your body. But there is no magic food or supplement that is going to increase your supply. Furthermore, these items can be expensive!!💰
•The best way to maintain or increase supply is still regularly emptying the breast, ensuring your pump fits you properly and is used properly, ensuring your infant has a deep pain free latch and they EFFECTIVELY remove milk from the breast, practicing skin-to-skin and hand expression, and seeking out support when things aren’t feeling good.
•If you are concerned about supply, a comprehensive assessment of both you & your baby by an IBCLC can be the most helpful to understand the entire situation, root causes of supply problems, and provide you real, evidence based solutions or interventions to help you feel confident and supported with infant feeding. 👶🏻🌾

03/24/2025

Sending love to all families working through premature birth/postpartum. It can be quite the ride, but you don’t have to do it alone 🫶🏼

02/15/2025

Let’s talk about pumps baby 🎵🎶

Did you know that the price of the pump doesn’t always equate a better and more effective session??

Certain pumps are pricier and serve a specific function. For example- pumps in hospital (the Medela’s) are considered multi-user pumps and can be rented. These pumps are ideal for families with infants in the NICU, families who are struggling with oral aversion, ties, oral dysfunction, low supply etc..

Hand pumps can be effective (and inexpensive) especially for those who are not wanting to pump/needing to pump more than the odd time here and there.

Electric pumps come in a variety of price ranges, and while some may have more settings/functions, finding the best to suit YOUR needs is the goal.
It’s not all about the brand or the price!

If you are planning to pump, but aren’t sure where to even start, chat with an IBCLC! Identifying your needs/ your infants needs can start you on the path to finding a pump that will be best for you 🫶🏼

01/19/2025

This is a great reminder of what feeding may be perceived as vs what it will likely look like. Newborns will feed a minimum of 10-12 times per 24 hour period, and while generally this may be spaced out between every 2-3 hours, it could look more like larger gaps after longer feeds, or short bursts of quick feedings. The best thing you can do for your new baby is provide skin-to-skin, hand express if you have a very sleepy baby who is not eager to latch, and offer the breast when you notice your infant cuing to feed. Thank you .dietitian 🫐

12/31/2024

2024 was such a wonderful year of growth, connection, education, support, and gratitude! I couldn’t do this work without the support from my community and fellow practitioners, and I still pinch myself everyday knowing I’m able to do this! Thank you to all my clients this past year, and the year before. It’s through you that I learn, grow, and continue to find ways to better support feeding families. Cheers to 2025! 🥂🎉

11/08/2024

A simple thank you to all of those who I’ve been lucky to support, and all those in the future. 🤍

11/04/2024

How much milk does your baby need? And how can you tell if they are getting the milk they need? Your brand new baby, whether they are 4lbs or 11lbs, only requires a FEW drops-5mls of milk PER FEED in the first 24 hours! And while this may seem like a small amount, their tummy size at this age is about that of a cherry. In addition to this, they may feed more frequently, have some shorter/sleepier feeds mixed in with longer feeding intervals, and are taking in all the nutrients they require through colostrum.
Colostrum is the first stage of milk produced, and it packs a punch. Full of vitamins, minerals, fats, carbs, and protein that your newborn needs to sustain their body. This is also produced by your body in smaller amounts to accommodate for your infants tummy size and nutritional needs at this stage of the game.
As your newborn grows (24, 48, and 72 hours old), their volume requirements will increase, and your body will match the demand of your newborn.

What are some things to watch for to know if your baby is transferring milk, and getting what they need?
-An effective latch. No pain or pinching for the feeding parent, no clicks/pops, gulping, or smacking from your baby. A rhythmic suck-swallow-breath pattern. Baby is in an optimal body posture with extended neck to allow for a wider gape and deeper latch.
-Adequate output: in the first 24 hours, only one p*e and one p**p is expected.
-Restful periods: after a feed your infant may fall asleep or be content.
-Audible swallows: if your baby is drinking effectively at the breast, you should be able to hear them swallow. Ideally the suck to swallow ratio is 1:1, however, as newborns are beginning to learn to feed effectively, along with mom learning, this may be a 2:1 ratio. Swallows sound like sighs or the letter “k”. If you aren’t noticing any swallows, or are hearing them only after baby has sucked 3-4 times or more, try a position adjustment or seek support and advice from either your care practitioner, or trusted support!

Prairie Baby Lactation

02/03/2026

12/07/2025

07/06/2025

05/26/2025

03/31/2025

03/27/2025

03/24/2025

02/15/2025

01/19/2025

12/31/2024

11/08/2024

11/04/2024

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category