Midwives of Brant

08/08/2025

Babies are born extremely nearsighted, which means they can only see things about eight to 15 inches away. That also happens to be the distance between your face and your baby's face when breastfeeding. So when your baby locks eyes with you, it’s a true bonding moment.



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08/07/2025

Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months has many benefits for the infant and mother. Chief among these is protection against gastrointestinal infections which is observed not only in developing but also industrialized countries. Early initiation of breastfeeding, within 1 hour of birth, protects the newborn from acquiring infections and reduces newborn mortality. The risk of mortality due to diarrhoea and other infections can increase in infants who are either partially breastfed or not breastfed at all.

Breast-milk is also an important source of energy and nutrients in children aged 6–23 months. It can provide half or more of a child’s energy needs between the ages of 6 and 12 months, and one third of energy needs between 12 and 24 months. Breast milk is also a critical source of energy and nutrients during illness, and reduces mortality among children who are malnourished.

🔗https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding

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08/06/2025

Early initiation of breastfeeding, within one hour of birth, protects the newborn from acquiring infection and reduces newborn mortality. It helps stimulate milk production, increases the development of the baby’s brain, regulates breathing and blood sugar, facilitates emotional bonding, and has a significant impact on duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

08/05/2025

Mama's learning to breastfeed at Maryellen's Breastfeeding 101 class !

08/02/2025

Breastfeeding - you can do it anywhere !!

*Shared with permission*

08/01/2025

Each year, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) brings the global community together to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week—held annually from August 1–7.
The theme for 2025:

“Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”

This year’s theme recognizes that breastfeeding is not just a personal act—it’s a powerful tool for environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Supporting breastfeeding helps reduce the carbon footprint and environmental toll of formula production, packaging, and waste.

To make breastfeeding sustainable, we must also build sustainable systems of support—in our hospitals, communities, policies, and homes.

We also honour 🌿 Indigenous Milk Medicine Week August 8-14.
The Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective, announced their theme for 2025:

“Unapologetically Indigenous: Love, Landback, and Liberation”

This theme centers the resilience, sovereignty, and ancestral wisdom of Indigenous communities. It calls us to stand in solidarity with Indigenous families and recognize that breastfeeding advocacy must also include decolonization, justice, and the right to parent in community and on ancestral land.

Finally, August 25-31st we honour Black Breastfeeding week.

07/30/2025

Happy graduation day babies 🥳

07/28/2025

We love to get siblings involved! One of the benefits of home visits 💗

*Photo shared with permission*

07/22/2025

Testimony Tuesday!

Thank you Nicole for sharing your story and photos with us!

"I can’t even begin to describe how thankful I am for my team of midwives, Tanja & Sarah.

I was a second time mom, having had a poor experience of labour and c-section delivery of my 2.5 year old son. I was longing for a different birth experience this time, knowing it was possible and doing everything in my power to make that happen.
On November 15, at 39 weeks pregnant, I woke up with inconsistent contractions. They were completely manageable and not much different than the Braxton hicks I had been experiencing for weeks, so I didn’t think much of it. At around noon, I felt a trickle of amniotic fluid. A few hours later, I called my midwife, Tanja, who suggested that if I hadn’t gone into labour on my own by morning, I should come into the hospital to be assessed.

I continued to have consistent, but manageable, contractions as the afternoon went on. We decided to get some sleep and try to go to bed around 9pm. I had a long, long labour with my son, and knew I would need the rest and energy if this baby was coming. By 9:45pm I felt a sharp pop, and immediately was having painful contractions less than 4 minutes apart. We again called our midwife team, and arrived at the hospital by 10:30pm.

We were greeted by a midwife we hadn’t met before, Ally, as our other midwives were in another birth. To this day we are so thankful for her tender care.

Our beautiful daughter, Emma Mary Lou, was born at 12:22 am on November 16th. With the help of my midwives I was able to have the redemptive (& quick) VBAC birth of my dreams. We even made it home soon enough in the morning for our son to wake up to his new sister! "

Please reach out if you'd like to share a testimony with us!

07/14/2025

Welcome June babies! 🌞

82% vaginal births
0% assisted vaginal births
18% c-section births

2 water births 🛁

Most common birthdays: June 5 and June 8 - 3 babies on each

Smallest baby 3lbs 8oz
Biggest baby 10lbs 5oz

Busiest team this month purple 💜

07/14/2025

Testimony Tuesday!

Thank you Jessica for sharing your story and photos.

"Words cannot express how grateful I am that other mamas suggested a midwife for my second pregnancy. After going through a traumatic 36 hour labour and delivery with my first born son I knew I wanted things to be different the second time. I wanted to be heard and in control, and my husband and I both wanted open communication. And that is exactly what we got the second time! Since day one my midwife team Ally and Heather made sure I felt comfortable speaking up with how I was feeling and always made sure I knew each step ahead on our journey together. As we got close to my due date both midwives kept me in the loop that baby was in the correct position and gave me all the advice I needed to help prepare my body for what was coming.

When the day finally arrived everything went better than I could ask for, I was able to labour at home as long as possible before heading to the hospital. The hospital was exactly how they described it would be like a “hotel room” just my husband, midwife team and me. No need for being stuck on the bed with monitors or constant interruptions - I could completely embrace the labour and do what felt natural from the tub to waking the room to bouncing on the ball. And before we knew it things picked up quickly and in only 6 hours this time our second baby boy was born! Heather talked me through every step and I felt very empowered and so strong afterwards doing an all natural birth! It was exactly the redemption birth story my husband and I needed after the first, even the postpartum care and recovery has been incredible. I highly recommend going with the midwives of brant and for anyone who has had a hard labour experience please know there is hope for a second chance! 🥰 "

06/28/2025