Nurture Family Feeding Clinic

Nurture Family Feeding Clinic Southern Alberta's infant feeding specialists! Not only are our physicians also lactation consultants... they are mothers themselves!

No referral is needed and all appointments that are attended are covered by your Provincial Health Care Provider.

It's one of the biggest sources of panic for pumping parents: you look down and see a sudden, disheartening drop in your...
11/19/2025

It's one of the biggest sources of panic for pumping parents: you look down and see a sudden, disheartening drop in your pump output. Immediately, your mind jumps to the worst conclusion: "My supply is failing!"

Stop right there.

The great news is that most low output is a fixable issue—and it's usually mechanical, not biological. Your body is likely working perfectly; the pump just isn't sending the right signal.

This carousel breaks down your troubleshooting into three simple steps. Start with Step 1: The Mechanical Check. A worn-out $5 duckbill valve or an incorrect fl**ge size causes more anxiety than any true supply problem ever will!

Swipe through to get your official troubleshooting checklist. You have the power to fix this and get your pump efficiency back on track!

It's easy to get caught up in the physical changes of the postpartum body and forget the incredible metabolic work your ...
11/17/2025

It's easy to get caught up in the physical changes of the postpartum body and forget the incredible metabolic work your body is doing every single day. If you are producing milk, your body is burning an additional 300 to 500 extra calories per day.

To put that in perspective, that’s equivalent to the energy used during a 45-minute jog.

This isn't the time to worry about "bouncing back" or restricting your intake. This is a time to nourish yourself deeply. Your body needs consistent, nutrient-dense fuel to perform this job without running on empty.

Prioritize this over everything:

Consistent Meals: Don't skip meals. Your supply is best supported by steady energy.

Hydration: Always keep a water bottle nearby.

Nutrient Density: Focus on foods rich in protein, healthy fats (avocado, nuts), and whole grains (oatmeal).

You are doing a huge job, and you deserve to be fed well. Prioritize your health and energy—your body (and your baby) will thank you for it.

It's one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a pumping parent: your motor sounds great, your fl**ge is the...
11/15/2025

It's one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a pumping parent: your motor sounds great, your fl**ge is the correct size, but your output is slowly dropping. Your first thought is often, "My supply is tanking!"

But before you panic, check your pump parts.

The truth is, the tiny, flexible silicone parts that create the vacuum—often called duckbill valves or membranes—wear out over time. They are the hardest working parts of your pump, and once they stretch or tear, they lose their ability to create the strong, effective suction you need.

This loss of suction means the pump can no longer effectively remove milk, which quickly leads to a supply dip.

Your Replacement Schedule Cheat Sheet:
Exclusive Pumping: Replace valves every 4 to 6 weeks.

Pumping Once a Day: Replace valves every 8 to 12 weeks.

Membranes/Diaphragms: Replace these larger pieces every 6 to 12 months.

This is often a quick, inexpensive fix that immediately restores your pump's power. Don't let a tiny piece of silicone sabotage your milk supply!

Going back to work is overwhelming enough without adding a breast pump into the mix. If the thought of lugging a cooler,...
11/12/2025

Going back to work is overwhelming enough without adding a breast pump into the mix. If the thought of lugging a cooler, finding a private space, and maintaining your supply feels impossible, we want to reassure you: you can do this.

Your commitment to your feeding goals is incredible, but success isn't about working harder; it's about being prepared and advocating for yourself. You are not asking for a favor—you are meeting a biological need while delivering incredible value to your company.

Swipe through for our four essential steps to surviving the transition. Start by implementing Prep Step 2: Be Your Own Advocate. Know your rights and set those clear boundaries before your first day back. This small step makes all the difference!

If you’ve been told that you must feed your baby every two hours, you know the anxiety that comes with constantly watchi...
11/10/2025

If you’ve been told that you must feed your baby every two hours, you know the anxiety that comes with constantly watching the clock. That old-school advice is rigid, stressful, and, frankly, wrong.

The truth is, forcing a strict schedule often increases parent anxiety and can interrupt the beautiful flow of your feeding journey. Your baby is not a machine, and their hunger signals are not perfectly spaced.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘂𝗲-𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴
Switching from feeding by the clock to feeding by the cue is one of the biggest confidence boosters you can make.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆: Your milk production works best when milk is effectively removed in response to your baby's demand. If you wait until they are frantically crying (a late cue), the stress makes it harder for you to have a successful letdown.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Responding to those early cues (rooting, lip smacking) builds trust and a strong bond, making the experience more relaxed for both of you.

Unless your pediatrician has specifically advised a strict schedule due to weight concerns, ditch the clock. Follow your baby’s lead, and trust that their hunger signals will guide you.

If your feeding journey has been anything less than the smooth, storybook experience you imagined, you are not alone. Th...
11/08/2025

If your feeding journey has been anything less than the smooth, storybook experience you imagined, you are not alone. That silent, heavy feeling of guilt or failure is incredibly common, and we need to talk about it.

Here is the truth, and it's one you need to internalize right now:

Your worth as a parent is not measured by:
❌ The ounces in your pump bottle.
❌ Whether you reached your original feeding goal.
❌ How smoothly your baby latches every time.
❌ The frequency with which you need to supplement.

Your worth is measured by:
✅ The love and consistency you provide.
✅ The safe, warm, and comforting presence you are.
✅ The resilience you show every time you try again.

You are showing up, you are adapting, and you are providing for your child—and that makes you a superhero. Perfection is an illusion that steals joy. Focus on the small wins, grant yourself grace, and remember that you are enough for your baby, exactly as you are today.

We've been there: that pinching, rubbing pain that makes you dread your next pump session. You might think, "This is jus...
11/05/2025

We've been there: that pinching, rubbing pain that makes you dread your next pump session. You might think, "This is just how pumping feels," but that is a myth we need to bust!

Persistent pain and a flattened, "lipstick ni**le" after pumping are visual signals that your fl**ge size is wrong. When the fit is off, you restrict your milk ducts, causing damage and preventing your pump from getting the strong signal it needs.

Swipe to learn the correct way to measure (Hint: it’s AFTER you pump!) and discover the easy fix that will boost your comfort and your output instantly.

If pumping is painful, or if you look into the fl**ge tunnel and see your entire ni**le and a large part of your ar**la ...
11/03/2025

If pumping is painful, or if you look into the fl**ge tunnel and see your entire ni**le and a large part of your ar**la being pulled in, your fl**ge size is likely wrong.

We see so many parents guessing their size based on the generic fl**ges that come with the pump. But using the wrong size is the number one reason for:

Pain and Damage: The fl**ge tunnel rubs, causing friction, bruising, and ni**le damage.

Low Output: Poor fit restricts the milk ducts, meaning the pump cannot effectively remove milk and signal your body to make more.

The Non-Negotiable Rule:
Your fl**ge size must be based on the diameter of your ni**le after a feed/pump, not your ar**la, and not the size of your ni**le when it's relaxed.

You need to measure the base of your ni**le to determine the correct size for the tunnel, ensuring only the ni**le itself moves freely. If you're still guessing, it's time to re-measure. This small change can completely transform your comfort and your output.

It’s one of the hardest parts of new parenthood: figuring out what that specific cry or fuss means. In the early days, i...
10/31/2025

It’s one of the hardest parts of new parenthood: figuring out what that specific cry or fuss means. In the early days, it’s natural to assume all fussiness means hunger, which can lead to overfeeding, gas, and a whole lot of unnecessary anxiety.

But your baby has a language you can learn! Here is the critical difference:

1. Hunger Cues (Actionable)
These are early, subtle signs that mean your baby is ready to eat and will likely latch well:
Rooting (turning their head, seeking the breast).

Smacking or licking lips.

Moving hands to their mouth (not rapid sucking, but general movement).

2. Comfort Cues (Self-Soothing)
These movements often signal your baby is overtired, overstimulated, or needs to self-soothe—not necessarily that they need food:
Frantic, rapid, or aggressive sucking on hands.

Crying (This is a late cue! It means they're distressed and it’s harder to get them to latch peacefully).

Turning their head away from the breast when offered.

Learning to decode these differences allows you to address the actual need—whether it’s a feed or just a moment of quiet snuggling. You'll reduce overfeeding anxiety and gain confidence in responding effectively.

The first 72 hours are an emotional rollercoaster, and the biggest source of panic is often the question, "Why am I only...
10/29/2025

The first 72 hours are an emotional rollercoaster, and the biggest source of panic is often the question, "Why am I only making drops?"

The answer is science! Your milk production follows a perfect, three-phase timeline, and understanding it will eliminate the stress of comparing your drops to someone else's ounces. Your body is transitioning from making small-volume, high-potency Colostrum to high-volume Mature Milk.

Swipe to learn the three phases, and most importantly, find out the Essential Strategy for managing that intense fullness (engorgement) on Day 3–5. Hint: it involves cold and gentle hands, not your pump!

It feels like a trap: your baby is older, more alert, and suddenly they're feeding less during the day... only to make u...
10/27/2025

It feels like a trap: your baby is older, more alert, and suddenly they're feeding less during the day... only to make up for all those calories by feeding heavily all night long. This pattern is called reverse cycling, and it can be incredibly draining for parents.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻?
Around 4 to 6 months, babies become little sponges, completely fascinated by the world. They get easily distracted by light, sound, siblings, or even your shirt, causing them to graze (take small, ineffective feeds) during the day. When they finally hit the dark, quiet sanctuary of the night, they realize they're starving and marathon-feed to catch up.

𝟮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀:
The goal is to shift those calories back to the day to reduce their night hunger:

Create a 'Feed Cave': For 15-20 minutes, eliminate distractions. Go to a dark, quiet room with white noise. This focused environment helps your baby stay on task and take a full, calorie-dense feed instead of grazing.

Be Proactive: Don't wait for late hunger cues (crying). Offer the breast or bottle more frequently, just before naps or quiet time, when your baby is likely to be calm and receptive.

By ensuring they get their full caloric load during the day, you'll naturally reduce the demand signal at night, helping everyone sleep better.

If you've ever had a plugged duct, you know that sharp, tender feeling. It can make you feel like your body is failing y...
10/24/2025

If you've ever had a plugged duct, you know that sharp, tender feeling. It can make you feel like your body is failing you, and it's easy to panic and try to "fix it" with everything you can find on Google. Most of what you find will tell you to use heat and deep, forceful massage.

But what if we told you that's actually wrong? Your breast is a delicate gland, not a muscle. The last thing it needs is more inflammation. The key is to be gentle.

This is what we call therapeutic breast massage. Instead of using heat and force, we use a cold compress to reduce inflammation, combined with gentle massage strokes that encourage drainage away from the plug and toward your chest wall. This simple shift in technique can be a total game-changer, helping you find relief and prevent the issue from getting worse.

Ready to learn the right way to care for your breast health? Our Latching Logic™ program covers this and many other evidence-based practices. Link in Bio.

Address

931 19 Street South
Lethbridge, AB
T1J5E3

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nurture Family Feeding Clinic posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category