The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) designation is the highest in the world. In order to become an IBCLC I had to perform 500 hours of lactation support via my work as a Registered Midwife, complete a 95-hour education program, and successfully pass a board exam.

A lactation counsellor is an unregulated, generic term. Anyone can call themselves a lactation counsellor, regardless of their education or experience.

I offer prenatal breastfeeding classes, either in a group setting at the Ottawa Birth & Wellness Centre, or privately in the comfort of your own home.

I offer drop-in, pay-what-you-can support at the Ottawa Birth & Wellness Centre. The drop-in runs most Thursdays from 9:30-11:30. It’s suitable for less complicated feeding concerns, such as doing a weighted feed to check how much baby is getting at the breast.

I am also available to come to you for a home visit. Home visits give us the opportunity to really focus on your infant feeding goals, troubleshoot the challenges you’re experiencing, and create a care plan for your success.

I can assess your latch, assist with breast pump fitting and settings, educate on signs of effective milk transfer and provide expert advice on how to heal any nipple damage you may have already experienced.

I like to think I can help anyone who is breastfeeding, or hoping to breastfeed. I have experience with preemies, twins, surrogates, managing over supply, increasing breastmilk supply, and pretty much every type of infant feeding scenario!

Tickets for the prenatal group class cost $40 plus service fees.

A private prenatal home visit is $175.

Infant feeding home visits cost $225 and include one week of follow-up care (either virtually or by phone).

Home visits are subject to a travel fee of $0.75/km over 10 km from my postal code.

Midwifery is such a special profession, and it was an absolute honour to have attended many hundreds of births. When I had my own baby, I experienced breastfeeding challenges that required the use of an IBCLC. I saw what a difference this help made in our breastfeeding relationship and it inspired me to change careers. I haven’t looked back since!

Yes I do! Many insurance plans offer coverage for IBCLC visits, or approve IBCLC visits for use with a health spending account. Some insurance companies that may offer IBCLC coverage in Ontario are Munulife, Sun Life Canada Life and Green Shield. Plans vary so be sure to check with your insurance provider.