Better Together Breastfeeding Support

11/22/2025

🌿 Growing, Learning, and Supporting Families, Together 🤱💗

This year has been an incredible season of growth for myself and my business Better Together Breastfeeding Support. I’ve been working hard behind the scenes not only to grow my business, but to make sure more moms, babies, and families get the care, knowledge, and breastfeeding support they deserve.

As a Registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, I’m honoured to have been selected this spring as one of these (11) successful applicants and recipients of the SBEC small business grant. This support allows me to take my services to the next level so I can continue helping families meet their lactation and feeding goals with confidence.

I’m truly excited for what’s ahead. My passion has always been to bridge the gaps in healthcare, especially where breastfeeding support and infant feeding education are lacking. Every family deserves access to informed, compassionate care, and I’m committed to delivering that.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We are absolutely 💕

11/14/2025

Every family feeds their baby in the way that works best for them, and that deserves respect. ❤️ Whether formula is your choice or your necessity, you deserve clear, evidence-informed information so you can keep your baby safe.

🍼 What families should be aware of:

1️⃣ Formula can contain bacteria — even before opening.
Some powdered formulas may carry bacteria such as Cronobacter or Salmonella. This doesn’t mean formula is “bad,” but it does mean proper handling matters to lower risks.

2️⃣ Recalls happen.
From time to time, formula is recalled due to contamination or concerns about quality. Staying aware of current recalls helps ensure the product you’re using is safe.

3️⃣ Safe preparation makes a big difference.
Preparing formula exactly as directed can significantly reduce risks. This includes:
• Using clean bottles and equipment
• Following water temperature and mixing instructions
• Not adding extra water or changing the recipe
• Storing prepared formula safely and discarding leftovers on time

4️⃣ Informed decisions empower parents.
No shame. No judgment. Just facts. When parents understand both the benefits and the potential risks, they can make the best feeding decisions for their family.

✨ Whether you breastfeed, pump, formula feed, or combo feed, you deserve support and good information.

13 cases of infant botulism tied to tainted baby formula
News brief November 10, 2025
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics Botulism
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced over the weekend 13 cases of infant botulism tied to infant powder formula made by ByHeart Inc. Infants in 10 states have been sickened, and all required hospitalization. So far no deaths have been reported with this outbreak.

On November 8 ByHeart recalled two lots of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. According to the Food and Drug Administration, ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula makes up an estimated 1% of all infant formula sales in the United States. The recall is not expected to create national shortages.

Formula shortage not expected
Illness-onset dates range from mid-August to November. Infants ranged in age from 16 to 157 days. California, Illinois, and Texas each reported two cases, with single cases reported in Arizona, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington.

Infant botulism occurs when the bacterium Clostridium botulinum infects a baby's large intestine and produces toxin.

If untreated, infants with infant botulism experience a progressive, flaccid paralysis .
"Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and loss of muscle tone," the CDC wrote. "If untreated, infants with infant botulism experience a progressive, flaccid paralysis that can lead to breathing difficulties and require weeks of hospitalization."
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/botulism/13-cases-infant-botulism-tied-tainted-baby-formula

11/12/2025

Education is a privilege many don’t get to have when it comes to information and breastfeeding support for families. It’s always best to know resources to help yourself and others, and plant seeds about the benefits of breastfeeding at a time that isn’t when you need it, and there is less pressure around the time of birth. I am very excited to share knowledge with students and grateful to be asked to come in to share information about my job as an International Board Certified Lactation consultant and Registered nurse today!

11/05/2025

If you’re struggling or need a hot meal in our local community, please feel free to reach out to these places on the dates!

Take care of yourselves mama’s.

We are all

11/03/2025

100%

11/02/2025

Protecting Your Milk Supply Matters From Day One

There are three key components of breastfeeding:
🤱 Having baby latch
🍼 Ensuring baby feeds well
💧 Protecting your milk supply — for now and for when baby is ready

Sometimes, your little one might not latch fully, feed efficiently, or stay at the breast long. That doesn’t mean you can’t protect your supply. Pumping or hand expressing about 8 times in 24 hours helps signal your body to keep making milk while you and baby figure things out together.

It’s not easy. You’ve just birthed — vaginally or by C-section — and now your baby depends on you for everything while you recover. It’s a lot. But those small, consistent efforts to remove milk early and often make all the difference in protecting your supply and setting you both up for success.

Every drop counts. Every session matters.
💗 You can do this — and you don’t have to do it alone.

✨ Better Together Breastfeeding Support
Supporting you from the first latch — or the first pump.

10/31/2025

🎃 👻 Wishing you all a safe and happy Halloween. Take time to enjoy these moments today, dress up your littles and enjoy some candy and chocolate today! Feel free to share pictures of your littles with me! The days are long, but the years are short.

10/25/2025

✨ Sometimes progress looks a little messy — and that’s okay! ✨

This sweet baby isn’t fully breastfeeding at the breast yet, but today we celebrated a big win — a successful latch and milk everywhere! 💕

Milk on her cheeks, chin, and nose… and the biggest smile for all of us. 😍

With mom’s commitment to protecting her supply and staying patient, we’re moving closer every day. These are the real, in-between moments that show how much love and effort go into every feeding journey. 💪💗

Mom has been working so hard to support her milk supply and help her baby practice at the breast. Every drop, every try, every moment counts. 🍼➡️🤱

These little steps build confidence, connection, and progress — and we’ll keep going together. 💗

Better Together Breastfeeding Support
💻 www.bettertogetherbreastfeedingsupport.ca
📍In-home + virtual visits

10/24/2025

🤱 🍼 Baby P**p Colours — What’s Normal and What’s Not

Yes, we’re talking p**p 💩 — because it can tell us so much about how baby is feeding and digesting!

👉 Breastfed babies often have mustard-yellow, seedy stools that can range from loose to pasty.
👉 Formula-fed babies tend to have tan, brown, or peanut butter–coloured p**p that’s a bit thicker.
👉 Combo-fed babies may show a mix of both!

🚨 When to be concerned:
If baby’s p**p is chalky white, pale, or grey, it could be a sign of a serious condition called biliary atresia, where bile flow from the liver is blocked. This needs prompt medical attention.

Knowing what’s normal before a change happens helps you recognize when something’s off — and get help quickly.

💗 Supporting families to build confidence and knowledge from the start — that’s what we’re all about at Better Together Breastfeeding Support. Here is an excellent resource that was developed (not by me) but is used locally and has already saved lives.

**p

10/24/2025

💗 Getting the right support can make all the difference 💗 🤱

This week I had the privilege of 11 visits with families across Ilderton, London, St. Thomas, Aylmer, and everywhere in between — helping each one find their rhythm and confidence with breastfeeding.

Whether you’re just starting out, working on improving baby’s latch, or needing guidance to protect and build your milk supply, early support helps you build a strong foundation for long-term success. 🌿

You don’t have to figure it all out alone — compassionate, expert help is just a message away. 💌

📍In-home and virtual visits available in our slice of Southwestern Ontario or virtually visits available.
🩺 RN | IBCLC | Better Together Breastfeeding Support Diana Verbrugghe

10/19/2025

🌈 Finding the Rainbow comes After the Storm 🌈

Breastfeeding isn’t always easy — it can take time, work, patience, and yes… sometimes tears. You’re adjusting to the exhaustion and new demands of parenting, and it’s okay if it feels like a storm at first.

But with support, patience, and the right guidance, you’ll start to see the rainbow — the confidence, connection, and calm that come as you and your baby find your rhythm. 💗

The benefits for your baby, your health, and your overall wellness are worth fighting for — whether that’s at the breast or through your pumped milk.

You don’t have to do this alone. 💕
Book your in-home visit today for support across Southwestern Ontario with an RN/IBCLC.

🩺 Diana Verbrugghe, RN, IBCLC
🤱 Better Together Breastfeeding Support
📍 Serving Southwestern Ontario

10/18/2025

💗 Breastfeeding takes time — and that’s okay. 💗

In the early days, it can take time for both you and your baby to feel comfortable and confident. Give yourself grace and patience as you both learn and grow together.

If your baby isn’t latching yet (or not latching well), there are still so many ways to support your feeding journey:
✨ Protect and promote your milk supply with regular expression or pumping
✨ Keep offering skin-to-skin — it helps regulate your baby and encourages practice at the breast
✨ Offer the breast often for comfort and connection

You’re not alone in figuring it out. Support is available. 💕
📅 Book your lactation consultation today — I’m here to help you piece it all together.