Award-winning author, Lynn McLaughlin is the host of the podcast, "Taking the Helm", posting a new episode every Wednesday both in video and audio formats. Lynn has helped writers find their way through the overwhelming world of publishing with her "Time to Publish" interactive consultation program. Her mission is to lead and empower people to make conscious and positive choices.

In this episode, Lynn interviews Sonya Boersma. Sonya is a Masters educated Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She’s been working with new families for over 25 years from many angles such as teaching prenatal, nursing in labour and delivery up north, working as a birth doula, and supporting parents postpartum. She has taught after-birth-care to nursing students and had taught many types of health professionals about best practices around infant feeding. She knows what a big difference breastfeeding makes not only to health but to a mothers’ sense of providing for her infant. The pandemic was a pivot point and created a sense of urgency to fully lift up mothers with breastfeeding in 2021.

• 00:50 Why is breastfeeding so important?

• 02:25 Formula or breast milk?

• 04:45 Evidence supporting breastfeeding in the pandemic

• 07:04 Prenatal preparation and support

• 08:09 Barriers to breastfeeding, coaching professionals

• 10:14 The negative effect of direct marketing to parents

• 12:45 The four states parents find themselves in

• 15:02 Lactation Care offers the Goldens Moms Package

• 18:20 Support is there! Join Sonya's free Facebook group Lactation Care Parent Connections | Facebook

• 20:03 Support Sonya offers for health care organizations

• 22:47 A crib card used by hospitals that now is a teaching tool! Breastfeeding Resources Ontario

• 24:33 Encouragement for moms and health care professionals

Sonya Boersma MScN, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Care