Ottawa Resources

Tongue-tie Lactation Care Tongue-tie Lactation Care

Tongue Tie Release & Resources

Tongue ties involve the frenulum of the tongue (lingual), and lip ties involve the frenulum of the upper lip (labial). Frenotomy refers to when a frenulum is cut, whereas frenectomy is removal of a frenulum, often by laser. This document provides resource links to learn more for parents anywhere, as well as places to get a release in Ottawa.

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Education & Support Sonya Boersma Education & Support Sonya Boersma

Breastfeeding & Donating in a Crisis

If you are like me, you may be wondering how to help when people, particularly mothers and children are displaced, are in transit, and are refugees. It’s intuitive and true that infants and young children are so vulnerable in crisis. It is so heartbreaking.

This resource was motivated by the crisis in Ukraine, though it applies to humanitarian crises around the world.

It may surprise you, that in many instances, breastfeeding creates food security for infants right here at home. In a crisis, Infants who are NOT breastfeeding are particularly vulnerable and need special help.

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Breastfeeding Sonya Boersma Breastfeeding Sonya Boersma

Blocked/Plugged Ducts

A blocked duct is also called a clogged duct. It is a block or clog of milk inside a milk duct. Milk cannot flow around the blockage to the nipple opening. You may have an ongoing tender or painful lump or an ongoing firm area inside your breast. This condition is a blockage. It is NOT the same as a firm area in your breast that goes away with feeding.

You may already know you have a blocked duct. You feel the pain. you feel the lump. You may even be discouraged and are understandably keen to feel better. And you may not know but need confirmation. You are not alone.

A consistent message from our clients is to get help early. Often, we see clients who know they have a blocked duct, get rid of it, and then get another. The cause was never identified nor worked on. This resource can help and do not hesitate to book a consult. That way, the care will be exactly about you and your situation. 

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Virtual Media Lactation Care Virtual Media Lactation Care

“Taking the Helm” interview with host Lynn McLaughlin: Breastfeeding in 2021

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.

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Virtual Media Lactation Care Virtual Media Lactation Care

Virtual Breastfeeding Education & Support Webinar

Learn about creative solutions to providing breastfeeding support during the pandemic. The discussed innovative strategies may be applied to a wide variety of practices and organizations. These panel presenters, Erin Shaheen, Gillian Szollos, Cindy Kaye, Sue Theriault Valin, Jos Anderson, and Sonya Boersma, share information about virtual breastfeeding education and support created as solutions to the COVID-19 environment. Hosted by the Champlain Maternal Newborn Regional Program (CMNRP).

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Breastfeeding Lactation Care Breastfeeding Lactation Care

Infant Feeding Basics: The Cost of Not Breastfeeding

How baby feeds can be an emotional topic. We wish to acknowledge that and know that mothers do the best they can with the knowledge they have in the circumstances they are in. Our objective is to support mothers and their babies exactly where they are. There are facts that parents and professionals need to know to help make informed decisions. This page looks at infant feeding facts.

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Viruses Lactation Care Viruses Lactation Care

COVID-19 and Breastfeeding

What is generally known? Given low rates of transmission of respiratory viruses through breast milk, the World Health Organization states that mothers with COVID-19 can breastfeed. Breastfeeding is biologically normal and encouraged. There are clear health advantages for a baby who is breastfed as well as for a mother who breastfeeds. Breastfeeding is protective.

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Bottles & Pumps (Ottawa Area) Lactation Care Bottles & Pumps (Ottawa Area) Lactation Care

Thinking About a Breast Pump?

Most women do not need a pump. Purchase or rent after the baby is born and then only when you know what you need it for. Pumps can be used for inappropriate reasons and may not be the most effective tool. For example, a few days after delivery some mothers may have engorgement. For engorgement, reverse pressure softening, or hand expression, usually work much better than a pump. For latch issues, for example, a lactation consult is a better use of your resources so that the underlying problem may be identified and addressed.

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Viruses Lactation Care Viruses Lactation Care

Being Pregnant & Having a Baby During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In this video, the information is presented by a midwife, Susan Lorenz and the founder of Lactation Care, a Lactation Consultant, Sonya Boersma. Questions from parents are answered by the experts and a number of current online resources are shared. The COVID-19 pandemic raises many questions for expectant and new parents. Concerns and changes in practice regarding pregnancy, birth, newborn care, breastfeeding and skin-to-skin are discussed.

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