Are you an expecting or new parent in Winnipeg looking for breastfeeding support you can trust? Whether you're preparing for your first baby or navigating early feeding challenges, having the right guidance can make all the difference. In this interview, we sit down with the founder of Baby’s Nectar, a passionate and soon-to-be IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) based in Winnipeg, to talk about her journey into lactation consulting and why she’s on a mission to help families feel confident and supported through every stage of feeding.

After facing unexpected challenges with breastfeeding and postpartum recovery, she turned her personal experience into a purpose-driven career—one that now supports dozens of Winnipeg families with compassionate, personalized lactation care, both in-person and virtually. In this Q&A, she shares her story, top breastfeeding tips for new parents, the most common feeding issues she sees (and how to solve them), plus the unique difference between different types of lactation support.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by infant feeding or wondered when to reach out for help, this interview is packed with insights, reassurance, and expert advice tailored for Winnipeg families—direct from someone who’s been there.

What inspired you to become a lactation consultant, and how did Baby’s Nectar come to life?
 My journey into lactation consulting began with my own experience of becoming a mother. I had spent so much time preparing for labour and birth—taking all the classes, hiring a doula, finding the perfect care provider who aligned with my values—but I completely overlooked preparing for infant feeding(as many of us do). I was so naive about what breastfeeding would actually look and feel like.Once my baby arrived, I was completely rocked by postpartum and breastfeeding. I remember feeling immediate regret for not having learned more or prepared better. I even recall my doula inviting me to a breastfeeding class her colleague was hosting, and I brushed it off thinking, "What could she possibly teach me about latching a baby that isn’t even here yet?" I assumed my doctor and the postpartum nurses would teach me everything I needed to know. "That’s their job," I thought. Boy, was I wrong.I had no idea how much there was to learn, how difficult it would be to access good support, and that navigating all of this would fall entirely on me—right when I was at my most vulnerable. That experience lit a fire in me. I knew right away that I wanted to be part of the solution. Still in the depths of postpartum fog, I signed up for my first lactation courses, not even really knowing what the journey would entail. I didn’t know any lactation consultants personally, had no idea what the process looked like, or how much there really was to learn. I dove off the deep end, eyes closed— and here I am, nearly five years later, soooo close to completing my goal of becoming an IBCLC (the only internationally recognized lactation credential—the gold standard).Each year I grow, learn, and deepen my commitment to this work. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, and of the care I now offer through Baby’s Nectar to other parents who are going through the same thing I did.

What are your top 3 breastfeeding tips every new parent should know?

1) Prenatal education is everything.

Birth, lactation, postpartum planning—do it all. And if possible, invest in private classes or consultations outside of the hospital system, where you can receive more personalized, in-depth support - not just learn how to be a good patient. Involve your partner or support person every step of the way. Learning about milk production, pumping, breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, identifying your goals and how to reach them, and understanding which products support those goals before you're deep in the postpartum fog & before spending loads of money on unnecessary or crappy stuff is essential. Trying to figure it all out while running on little sleep, riding the waves of postpartum hormone shifts, and recovering from birth is 100 times more stressful than it needs to be. You simply won’t be able to absorb or retain as much in that state. Pregnancy is the perfect window to prepare—not just for birth, but for everything that comes after.

2) The way you birth your baby can impact your feeding journey.
This is one of the main reasons I offer prenatal birth education as a lactation consultant. Many interventions—like inductions, IV fluids, surgical or assisted births(forceps/vacuum), and pharmacological pain relief—can influence both you and your baby’s early breastfeeding experience. This often comes as a surprise to parents, because in my experience, it’s rarely discussed as something to anticipate or prepare for mentally when benefits and risks of interventions are being discussed. But understanding how certain interventions may affect lactation isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment. I don’t share this to scare anyone, but to equip you with the knowledge to make informed choices and to feel more prepared for the possible outcomes that may arise. When you understand the potential impact of your birth experience, you’re better able to support your feeding goals—with confidence and calm and know when to ask for help!

There's this really great book called The Impact of Birth Practices on Breastfeeding by  Linda J. Smith &  Mary Kroeger that I'd recommend to anyone wanting to learn more.

3)If you're having a hard time with anything feeding-related—reach out sooner rather than later.

Don’t wait until things feel really hard or overwhelming to ask for support. The earlier you address any challenges, the easier they are to work through. You're much more likely to overcome feeding difficulties when you get help quickly—ideally within the first two weeks of bringing your baby home.

Even better? Be proactive. If you can have a lactation consultant come to you shortly after settling in at home, or around the time your milk “comes in,” you’ll be setting yourself up for a smoother start. You’re not meant to do this alone. Asking for help isn’t just okay—it’s incredibly important, and it can make all the difference.

What are the most common breastfeeding challenges you see, and how do you help families overcome them?

I work mainly with newborns and their parents in the immediate days following birth (hospital or once these families have settled in at home), so I often see a range of common feeding challenges such shallow latch, sleepy or disorganized babies, inefficient sucking, and families who were encouraged to supplement in the hospital for a variety of reasons. Many parents reach out wanting help weaning off those supplements/triple feeding and rebuilding confidence in their body and feeding journey. A lot of these challenges can be traced back to the baby’s womb position or birth experience. We tend to forget that birth is a huge physical event for the baby, too—not just the birther. The way a baby was positioned in utero, how long and intense the labour was, or whether interventions were involved can all contribute to body tension, oral motor challenges, and even cranial nerve compression—all of which can make breastfeeding more difficult. This time period is often accompanied with milk supply concerns that could be exacerbating the above mentioned feeding challenges—both low milk supply (particularly secondary low supply) and oversupply—as well as bottle feeding, pumping, and overall feeding planning. And interestingly, since COVID, what we are seeing in the lactation community is a noticeable increase in cases of bottle refusal. I’ve completed extra training in this area and really enjoy supporting families through this tricky (and emotional) challenge.

When I work with families, I typically come to their home and take a holistic, individualized approach. We spend time unpacking the birth and feeding experience so far, adjusting latch and positioning, exploring new techniques, and talking through feeding goals. From there, we create a clear and compassionate plan moving forward. I also refer to other trusted professionals—like infant-focused bodyworkers or perinatal mental health specialists—because feeding and postpartum challenges are often best addressed with a team approach. 

Can you explain the difference between a lactation consultant and other types of breastfeeding support (like doulas or counselors)?

Lactation consulting is a broad term—and not all lactation support is created equal.
One of the most important things parents can do is vet the professionals they turn to for help. Unfortunately, anyone can call themselves a “lactation consultant,” whether or not they have formal training, so understanding the differences in credentials and experience can make a big difference in your journey.

There are a variety of feeding supports out there:

 Peer support — These are often free and volunteer-based, offered by individuals with light training who mostly draw from personal experience. Milk Mentors MB is an excellent peer counselling resource in Manitoba, and a great starting point for community-based support.

Stepping-stone credentials — These include certifications like CBC, CLC, CLE, etc. (there are many, and they vary widely in quality and depth). People with these credentials are usually on the path to becoming IBCLCs—International Board Certified Lactation Consultants—which is the only internationally recognized and regulated lactation credential. This is where i'm at now and working towards that IBCLC certificate.

As someone who doesn’t have a healthcare background (I'm actually a chef by trade!), the path to becoming an IBCLC has been longer and more complex—but I’m so close now, and incredibly proud of how far I’ve come!

Postpartum & public health nurses — Their lactation knowledge really depends on their individual training and how much continuing education they've pursued. Many receive only minimal education in breastfeeding unless they’ve sought out more.

 Lactation-specialized MDs — These can be helpful for certain medical or complex cases. Winnipeg Breastfeeding Centre is a great (and free!) resource, though you’ll need a referral from your doctor and there's a lengthy wait list. 

Private practice (like me!) — We provide in-depth, individualized support and often work with families long-term. I know cost can be a barrier, so I always do my best to make support accessible and not add stress. I never want finances to be the reason someone doesn’t get the care they need and deserve.

Doulas — Birth and postpartum doulas often have a foundational understanding of lactation and can support with basic education or early challenges. However, their training in lactation varies significantly depending on how much continuing education they’ve done. Most doula certifications don’t include in-depth breastfeeding training by default.

The bottom line? There are many different kinds of support available—and many amazing people offering it—but not all lactation care is the same. Make sure you know who you’re working with for the specific issues you are needing help with, and don’t hesitate to ask about credentials, experience, and scope of practice. You deserve expert, compassionate care. If you need help finding the right person for your challenge - I can help you, even if that's not me!

How soon should someone reach out to a lactation consultant—before or after birth?

I always suggest reaching out before! As I mentioned earlier, postpartum is so challenging on so many levels, trying to navigate this all for the first time after the baby comes is tough. If you choose not to do prenatal learning then at the very least plan to create a postpartum plan and know who you will call for what issues so you dont have to do that research when you're in the weeds.

What do you wish more people knew about pumping, milk storage, or feeding schedules?
Making a bit of a plan for pumping and bottles before baby comes is soooo important!! There is an ideal time to start, pumping and bottles can be great tools but should be done with some intent as this will help you avoid milk supply challenges and the dreaded clogs/mastitis. Feeding schedules should be tossed out the window and babies should be fed on demand, day and night, always! Pumping however, should be done on a consistent and maintainable schedule. 

How do you support clients virtually or in-person, and what can a first consultation with you look like?

support families in a variety of ways—depending on their needs and preferences. I meet with clients in hospital, in their homes, virtually, or at my office. We usually start with a conversation about what they’re experiencing and what kind of support they’re looking for, and from there, we decide on the best way to connect. I offer free 15-minute meet-and-greets. These are great if someone isn’t sure whether I’m the right fit for their needs or if they’re unsure which service to book. It’s a no-pressure way to get clarity and feel confident moving forward.

Some families want support as soon as baby is born and request a hospital visit. Most of my work happens in the home, especially for latching support and early feeding challenges. If a family lives out of town or simply wants to talk things through, we’ll meet virtually. When I’m helping with bottle refusal, pumping plans, or product guidance, I often invite clients to my office, where I have a variety of tools and resources to help us troubleshoot.

A first consultation with me typically includes:

Intake: Before we meet, I send a thorough intake form to gather important background info.

Initial meeting: We’ll talk through your birth story, feeding history, medical background, and current concerns.

Feeding observation: I watch you feed your baby and offer tips, adjustments, and support to improve your experience.

Assessment: I’ll do a gentle assessment of baby and explain what I’m seeing in clear, supportive terms.

Goal setting & planning: We’ll discuss your feeding goals, make a plan that supports your needs (including rest!), and go over any and all questions you have.

Referrals: If needed, I’ll connect you with trusted professionals like bodyworkers, mental health practitioners, dentists/release providers, physios, myo or other care providers.

Written care plan: After our visit, I’ll send you a personalized care plan so you don’t need to worry about taking notes or remembering everything we discussed.

I stay in touch with my clients after our session and offer continued virtual support—whether that’s to answer questions, provide encouragement, or tweak the plan as needed. Follow-ups are available in-home, virtually, or in-office, depending on what works best for you.

You're never on your own in this—I’m here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

Where can readers follow Baby’s Nectar and learn more about your services?

You can learn more about me and my offerings at www.babysnectar.ca and follow me on Instagram    @babysnectar !