Feeding Clinics
As I’m sure you’ve heard me mention before, it is likely that a variety of bodyfeeding support will be needed and should be used. Sometimes the books, or IG or our own minds romanticize the whole feeding experience and make it sound like it’s a calm, beautiful, natural experience but from what I’ve seen with the families I work with in, in the first couple weeks it isn’t always easy, perfect, instinctual. It can be, but it isn’t always that way. So, you’ve generally got two options for physical places.
One of my favourites? Province- and city-run feeding clinics.
Down below you will find links for the Toronto/Etobicoke clinics and here are the ones in Peel region. The clinic in Brampton is notorious for really, really good care in case you’re ever in the mood for a drive/in the area for another reason/aren’t having good experiences with the clinics around you.
So why do I love these clinics? First, they’re free. They can be a really great follow-up to a paid lactation consultant because then you can make sure that things like the latch really have been fixed and you can also get a second opinion. Lactation consultants are amazing but it can be a good to have a second set of eyes. For example, baby’s latch might be fixed but now maybe it’s time to work on your hand position or a different hold because that’s impeding baby’s ability to continue to have a great latch.
Clinics can also be great before seeing a lactation consultant because they can get some of those things out of the way so you can focus on latch or a feeding schedule with the in-home consultant. For example, maybe there is a position recommendation that you can implement ASAP and that’s 20 minutes of time you’ve now gained with the lactation consultant when they do go into your home.
If you do want or need continuous support, clinics can be great because then you’re seeing the same person consistently a couple times a week whereas lactation consultants make their own schedule and might not be able to see you at the same frequency (pro tip: ask that question when you do your phone interviews with LCs or clinics pre-birth!).
Your second option, a ‘private’ breastfeeding clinic. Within those, there are paid and covered, referral-based and appointment-solicited based. For example, KidsCrew often is where folks will go to get tongue ties looked at, but a referral is required and there is an out-of-pocket portion to be paid to see an LC. At the Newman Clinic, you need a referral but as of this video, the services are all covered by OHIP, and usually theres a 4-6 day delay to get an appointment. West End Mamas has LCs you need to make an appointment for, but they do not require a referral, and you need to pay out of pocket but your insurance provider may reimburse you. Phew. So check out the links below, do some research, do some googling and know your options.
And, just to throw this out there, breastfeeding clinics are also great down the line. I’ve worked with more families than I can count who we were told at month two, month three, month four (year two!) that their child has a tongue/lip tie. When the breastfeeding relationship is already established then it’s not super imperative to bring in a private lactation consultant and going to a clinic may be the best option, so keep this information handy for future-you too.
Okay! That’s it! As always, you know where to find me.
As I’m sure you’ve heard me mention before, it is likely that a variety of bodyfeeding support will be needed and should be used. Sometimes the books, or IG or our own minds romanticize the whole feeding experience and make it sound like it’s a calm, beautiful, natural experience but from what I’ve seen with the families I work with in, in the first couple weeks it isn’t always easy, perfect, instinctual. It can be, but it isn’t always that way. So, you’ve generally got two options for physical places.
One of my favourites? Province- and city-run feeding clinics.
Down below you will find links for the Toronto/Etobicoke clinics and here are the ones in Peel region. The clinic in Brampton is notorious for really, really good care in case you’re ever in the mood for a drive/in the area for another reason/aren’t having good experiences with the clinics around you.
So why do I love these clinics? First, they’re free. They can be a really great follow-up to a paid lactation consultant because then you can make sure that things like the latch really have been fixed and you can also get a second opinion. Lactation consultants are amazing but it can be a good to have a second set of eyes. For example, baby’s latch might be fixed but now maybe it’s time to work on your hand position or a different hold because that’s impeding baby’s ability to continue to have a great latch.
Clinics can also be great before seeing a lactation consultant because they can get some of those things out of the way so you can focus on latch or a feeding schedule with the in-home consultant. For example, maybe there is a position recommendation that you can implement ASAP and that’s 20 minutes of time you’ve now gained with the lactation consultant when they do go into your home.
If you do want or need continuous support, clinics can be great because then you’re seeing the same person consistently a couple times a week whereas lactation consultants make their own schedule and might not be able to see you at the same frequency (pro tip: ask that question when you do your phone interviews with LCs or clinics pre-birth!).
Your second option, a ‘private’ breastfeeding clinic. Within those, there are paid and covered, referral-based and appointment-solicited based. For example, KidsCrew often is where folks will go to get tongue ties looked at, but a referral is required and there is an out-of-pocket portion to be paid to see an LC. At the Newman Clinic, you need a referral but as of this video, the services are all covered by OHIP, and usually theres a 4-6 day delay to get an appointment. West End Mamas has LCs you need to make an appointment for, but they do not require a referral, and you need to pay out of pocket but your insurance provider may reimburse you. Phew. So check out the links below, do some research, do some googling and know your options.
And, just to throw this out there, breastfeeding clinics are also great down the line. I’ve worked with more families than I can count who we were told at month two, month three, month four (year two!) that their child has a tongue/lip tie. When the breastfeeding relationship is already established then it’s not super imperative to bring in a private lactation consultant and going to a clinic may be the best option, so keep this information handy for future-you too.
Okay! That’s it! As always, you know where to find me.