Breastfeeding Buddies Waterloo Region

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Kitchener, ON
Breastfeeding Buddies Waterloo Region

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Providing FREE Peer to Peer Lactation Support in Waterloo Region and Beyond. Some in person programming will resume as Covid-19 restrictions change.

The Breastfeeding Buddies Program was initiated by breastfeeding mothers in the community and has been supporting families in Waterloo Region for the last 20 years. Recognizing the value of peer-to-peer support, the aim of the Breastfeeding Buddies Program is to help increase the number of parents achieving success in reaching *their* breastfeeding and chestfeeding goals - by supporting parents with the evidence based tools, resources and information they need to make informed decisions. Breastfeeding Buddies also help parents foster connections with other nursing families and their community through virtual programming and other local events. All of our peer volunteers have at least 6 months of personal breastfeeding or chestfeeding experience, complete a 3 day training program, and receive additional education opportunities to provide quality, non judgmental, evidenced based support to other nursing families. The Me Breastfeed workshop is a prenatal class for parents and their partners to attend before the baby arrives. This practical workshop offers parents and their partner's valuable information as to what to expect in the first 7 days after birth, help with overcoming common challenges, and where to find community resources. The "Latch and Learn" and "Beyond Basics" series cover many topics such as transitioning into parenthood, milk supply, night time parenting and nursing beyond a year. All families are welcome!

10/15/2026

Struggling with crying?😭 Wondering if you'll ever be able to set your baby down for long enough to find a chance to rest? Trying to calm a crying baby can feel overwhelming, especially when you're tired! Join us online (even if your baby is crying) to learn the tips you need to find more rest while learning how to navigate meeting your baby's needs (and yours too). For more information about this, or any of the other workshops in our FREE virtual Latch & Learn series visit the link in our bio.📲🥰

10/14/2026

Your milk is amazing at helping protect your little one from respiratory illnesses!🛡️ While illnesses can't be avoided entirely, babies who are nursing or receiving expressed human milk typically fall ill less frequently, recover more quickly, and have lower risks of severe outcomes and hospitalization.

👉Remember - the best thing you can do when your little one is sick is to continue nursing (or offering your freshly expressed milk) - it's full of antibodies and other protective immune components tailor-made to help your little one fight illnesses and infections.

🙋🏽‍♀️Need help figuring out a nursing position that's easier for your little one while they are ill? Want to learn more about how your milk protects your baby? Have questions about breastfeeding, chestfeeding or pumping? We're here to help! Visit the link in our bio to connect with our free Latch and Learn workshops, local drop in programs and more!🥰

10/13/2026

Did you know that over 70% of babies wake one or more times a night between the ages of 6 and 18 months? Waking at night to feed is NORMAL and important! Here's why:

🛡️ Night waking and breastfeeding are protective against SIDS. or for at least two months (either exclusively or in combination with supplementation) cuts the risk of SIDS nearly in half! Continue for six months or more and that risk is reduced by 64%!

⬆️ Prolactin (the hormone that promotes milk making) is highest at night and rises when your body is stimulated by latching or pumping. High prolactin levels and frequent milk removal help you to build & maintain your milk supply. Following your baby's lead (especially at night) helps ensure your supply matches your baby's needs.

🤱 If your baby wants to nurse at night, it's because your baby needs to nurse at night - some take as much as 30- 50% of their total daily intake from nighttime feeds, which can be especially helpful during the distracted baby phase! As a bonus, nighttime feeds can also help delay the return of your menstrual cycle!

😴 Your milk is full of sleep inducing components that support your baby in building their circadian rhythm and help them to fall back to sleep. also causes hormones to be released that make both you and your baby feel calm and sleepy - they even help YOU to fall into a deeper sleep sooner!

🥗 Remember what and how much your baby eats is unrelated to how much they wake at night. A recent study found that what babies eat has little effect on their sleep - there is no evidence to suggest that adding solids or formula to your baby's diet will help them wake less often. Know that your baby will begin to sleep longer when they are developmentally ready to do so, gradually sleeping for longer stretches as they grow.

🥳🙌Best of all, studies show that parents who feed their baby with their body actually get more hours of sleep overall!

Nighttime parenting and nursing got you down? Need support? We're here to help, join us for our free virtual Latch & Learn workshops. Visit the link in our bio for details.

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day. Take time to nurture your mental health today - check in with yourself (and loved ones) and spend some time building your network of support.

😩Having a baby can be a totally overwhelming experience. If you or someone you know hasn't been feeling quite like themselves either while pregnant or following the birth of a baby, it's important to talk about it. Changes in mental health are some of the most common issues that come up in pregnancy and postpartum. You're not alone, it's not your fault, and with help you will be well.

💗To learn more about the mental health resources, information and supports available to parents and partners in the perinatal period and beyond, or to connect with mental health support, please visit the link in our bio. While you’re there check out "Seeds Of Hope". It's a helpful guide for anyone who is pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant; or anyone who has had a baby, as well as their partners, families and trusted supporters and anyone else who is interested in learning more about perinatal mental health. Remember, we are stronger together💜

🤱🏽Have questions about your milk supply or latch? Looking for resources & information to make the next stage of nursing or pumping while caring for your little one and yourself easier? Whether you're pregnant, you just gave birth, or are getting ready to wean - we're here to help every step of the way. Visit the link in our bio to connect with lactation support.

💊👉Worried you need to stop nursing or pumping in order to seek treatment? In almost all cases it is safe to continue if you need to take medication, though some medications may be safer than others. Ask your health care provider to check one of the trusted sources listed below for up-to-date information.

💊 Infant Risk Center
💊 E-Lactancia
💊 Mother To Baby

10/09/2026

Your worth is not measured in ounces. Whatever your nursing or pumping goals are - from the first latch to the last drop, whether you are nursing or pumping exclusively or mix feeding either by necessity or choice - we are here to support you.💖

👉Have questions about your milk supply or latch? Need a few tips & tricks to help prepare for the next stage in your lactation journey? Whether you're pregnant and planning ahead, in the middle of your nursing or pumping journey, or getting ready to wean, we're here with the resources, information and support you need to reach YOUR goals. To connect with our FREE In Person or Virtual support options, or to learn more about our FREE Prenatal Lactation Workshop "Me Breastfeed", visit the link in our bio.📲🥰

10/08/2026

Ready to make some new friends (or meet up with some old ones)? Then be sure to join us for our Walk & Talk Parents & Babies Drop In as it moves indoors for the colder months ahead! 👋

Bring your baby and join us Thursday mornings at 10am at the EarlyON | Roger St. in Waterloo! Spend some time socializing with other local parents and enjoy a warm beverage on us. Everyone is welcome! See you there!

🙋Have questions about your milk supply, latch or other lactation related questions? Bring them along! Trained peer volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions. First time attending a Breastfeeding Buddies event? Feeling shy? Visit the link in our bio to connect with us - we are happy to walk you through it! 👋

📍Waterloo Walk & Talk - Winter Parents & Babies Drop In
Thursday Mornings at 10am
EarlyON | Roger St
161 Roger St, Waterloo

📌Please check our stories on Facebook or Instagram for last minute day-of weather updates or cancellations. Need more information? Call (519) 772-1016 or email [email protected]

10/07/2026

It's time to celebrate every drop! Tell us, how many days have you been breastfeeding, chestfeeding or pumping?🥳🎉

👉Do you have 182 days (or more)?
Are you passionate about helping others?
Do you wish it was easier for parents like you to meet their nursing or pumping goals?

🙋🏽Volunteer with us! To learn more or to apply for our October training session visit the link in our bio! *Please note, applicants must reside in Waterloo Region. 📲🥰

10/06/2026

The long weekend will soon be here, and for many families that means their time will be filled with cooking, baking and visits with family and friends!👋 With all of the excitement, nursing/pumping sessions are often easily delayed or accidentally missed. Did you know that infrequent, delayed or missed nursing or pumping sessions can reduce your milk supply and leave you at risk for complications like painful swelling, inflammation & mastitis?😬

Luckily you can help protect your supply and prevent other painful issues like "blocked ducts" or mastitis by responding to your baby's (and your body's) needs and making nursing a priority.🤱🏾💗

👉Remember, it's normal to want to keep your baby close by, and it's normal to need a break sometimes. It's ALWAYS okay to ask for your baby back. If you'd prefer to keep your little one close by, consider wearing them during your visit so you can easily pass the gravy - not the baby.

Think you might have blocked ducts or mastitis? To avoid further inflammation, and more serious complications like inflammation accompanied by flu-like symptoms and/or infection which require medical attention and/or prescription medication - you'll need to reduce the swelling and inflammation so that your milk can flow more easily. 👉 Learn more at TinyURL.com/UpdatedGuidance4BlockedDucts

10/05/2026

Good support is absolutely vital💗! Wondering how to build and protect your milk supply? Wish you had a few tips to make latching & nursing more comfortable? Ready to get prepared for your baby's arrival, or the next stage of your lactation journey? We're here to help every step of the way!

🚼Pregnant & planning ahead? Be sure to register for our FREE Prenatal Lactation Workshop "Me Breastfeed". It will give you the tools, tips & information you need BEFORE your baby's arrival.

🤱🏽Baby already here? Visit the link in our bio to connect with support, or to learn more about our upcoming FREE Virtual Latch & Learn sessions, weekly In-Person drop-in programs and more!

10/04/2026

Writer and Emmy nominee Taylor Cox has us after her recent appearance on the red carpet with a bedazzled breast pump. Swipe through to see what's on our "To Do" list then be sure to tell us which one is your favourite.

What's the ultimate must-have accessory when you're nursing or pumping? Support of course! So whether you've got questions about your milk supply or latch, you're looking for peer-tested tips and tricks to make nursing or pumping while caring for your baby and yourself easier, or you're planning for the next step on your lactation journey - we've got you covered! To learn more about our FREE in-person & virtual support options, including our prenatal lactation workshop "Me Breastfeed", visit the link in our bio.

Address

44 Francis Street S
Kitchener, ON
N2G2A2

Telephone

+15197721016

Website

https://linktr.ee/BreastfeedingBuddies

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