Breastfeeding Buddies Waterloo Region

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 wi

th 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!

Wondering about smoking and lactation? Swipe through to learn more!👋In need of support to reach your nursing or pumping ...
05/29/2026

Wondering about smoking and lactation? Swipe through to learn more!

👋In need of support to reach your nursing or pumping goals? Preparing for the birth of your baby and wondering what you can do to help make latching and nursing your little one easier from the start? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our FREE virtual Latch & Learn Workshops, in person Walk & Talk meet ups in the park, or to register for our FREE prenatal lactation workshop "Me Breastfeed" (available both in person and virtually). See you soon!

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Your milk is amazing - right from the start! Colostrum (your first milk) is highly concentrated & nutrient dense, rich i...
05/28/2026

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.

Learning how to latch and nurse your baby takes practice - have questions about your little one's latch?🤔🙋🏽 Looking for ...
05/27/2026

Learning how to latch and nurse your baby takes practice - have questions about your little one's latch?🤔🙋🏽 Looking for a position that could help you both feel more comfortable? Be sure to join us for our next Latch & Learn workshop! We can help you improve your latch, and show you new, more comfortable positions to nurse your baby in!

Confident in your latch but have other breastfeeding or chestfeeding questions? Bring them along! For more information about this, or any of the other workshops in our FREE virtual Latch & Learn series visit the link in our bio.📲🥰

Have you tried these? Which one was your favorite?Wish you felt more confident nursing? Need a few actual tips for deali...
05/26/2026

Have you tried these? Which one was your favorite?

Wish you felt more confident nursing? Need a few actual tips for dealing with unwanted opinions? Have questions about your milk supply or latch? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our FREE In Person & Virtual Support options.

Pregnant & planning ahead? Be sure to register for our FREE Prenatal Lactation workshop "Me Breastfeed". It will give you the tools, tips & information you need BEFORE your baby arrives. To learn more visit the link in our bio.

Tell us we're not the only ones!🙈😂Wish you had a few tips for dealing with the "Boop It" side of nursing👋? Have question...
05/22/2026

Tell us we're not the only ones!🙈😂

Wish you had a few tips for dealing with the "Boop It" side of nursing👋? Have questions about your milk supply or latch? We can help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with FREE In Person support options or to learn more about our FREE virtual Latch & Learn workshops.📲🥰

🫄Pregnant & planning ahead? Be sure to register for our FREE Prenatal Lactation Workshop "Me Breastfeed"! It will give you the tools, tips & information you need BEFORE your baby arrives. This program is offered both In Person and Online - for more information or to register, visit the link in our bio!

“You're going back to work soon right? How much longer are you gonna nurse them?” Starting to get the feeling that every...
05/21/2026

“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 summer! 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.

05/20/2026

Expressing your milk? You might be surprised to find it's not always white! In fact, human milk comes in many different colours and all are safe to feed your baby (except in a few rare instances).

Milk that's pink, red or brown is usually the result of an injured ni**le. Follow up with a skilled lactation professional to improve the latch/pump fit, or to determine the source of the blood if there isn't an obvious injury. This milk is typically safe for your baby to consume, unless you have a blood borne illness (like hepatitis). If you like, you can leave your milk in the fridge to settle before pouring it into a new container and discard the red/pink/brown portion left at the bottom.

So how little blood does it take to make a noticeable difference in the appearance of your milk? Surprisingly, a few drops is all it takes to make a noticeable difference. Check out this great video from the researchers at @ Infant Risk then be sure to check out the rest of their findings here at TinyURL.com/InfantRiskPinkMilkLab

📌It's important to note that neon pink milk (that was white) may signal the presence of the bacteria S. Marcescens. While this type of bacteria typically isn't harmful for healthy babies, it may pose a risk for those who are medically fragile or premature. It's generally considered safe to continue nursing but it's important to consult with a skilled lactation professional for recommendations specific to your unique situation - especially if you are pumping or expressing as improper storage & handling can allow the bacteria to multiply. Talk to your healthcare provider to see what's right for you.

Dealing with a crying baby can feel overwhelming at times!😭 So what do you do once you've fed them, changed them, burped...
05/19/2026

Dealing with a crying baby can feel overwhelming at times!😭 So what do you do once you've fed them, changed them, burped them and even checked for stray hairs tangled around their fingers or toes? Give these tips a try!

👶Baby still upset? It's OKAY to start back at the top of the list and try again until you find what works for you. No one calming method works every time, so cycle through until you find what works for you, or give something new a try! While rocking may have worked well last time, this time it may be that going for a walk/car ride or using some white noise like a fan, hairdryer or vacuum is what your baby will find soothing. It's okay to experiment until you find what works - even though your baby is upset, your presence lets them know they are safe and protected.

👉Need support? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with free online workshops (like our Coping With Crying Latch & Learn), one on one support, local meet ups and more! Have a great tip to share? Drop it below!

📌Remember, if you're feeling frustrated or angry with your baby it's okay to put them down in a safe place (like their crib) and take a moment to calm yourself down and/or ask for help. Crying usually peaks around the two month mark and will gradually decrease with time. It's important to remember that you are the expert on your body and your baby. So if you are worried about your baby (or yourself) it's important to reach out to your healthcare provider for help!

People get hungry when they’re out and about, and since babies need to eat more often than most of us, they definitely g...
05/15/2026

People get hungry when they’re out and about, and since babies need to eat more often than most of us, they definitely get hungry while they're on the go! In Canada, your right to nurse your child in public is protected by law. No one is allowed to prevent you from nursing your child simply because you're in a public area (like at a school, in a store, at the park or on public transit) nor can they ask you to cover up, move to another area that is more "discreet", or disturb you while you're nursing.

Knowing your rights can help you feel confident nursing your child ! Looking for tips & tricks to make nursing or pumping on the go easier? Wish there was a way to practice getting out and about with your little one and help build your skills and confidence? We can help! Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our FREE virtual Latch & Learn workshops, or to learn more about our free local Walk & Talk drop-in programs at the park.🌞

The long weekend is nearly here!!🎉 Thinking about having a few drinks?🍻🍹 Worried about nursing or pumping? Check out thi...
05/15/2026

The long weekend is nearly here!!🎉 Thinking about having a few drinks?🍻🍹 Worried about nursing or pumping? Check out this great resource on alcohol and lactation! Tinyurl.com/DrinkAndNurse

Address

44 Francis Street S
Kitchener, ON
N2G2A2

Telephone

+15197721016

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