Better Together Breastfeeding Support

I love delivering prenatal breastfeeding education to clients, to get them off to your best start! Information is key! Let’s be better together.

🤝 Connection & Community Over Competition

One of the most important parts of caring for families is recognizing that we were never meant to do it alone. ❤️

When we connect with other professionals in our community, we create something so much bigger than any one of us could provide on our own.

Sometimes I’m caring for a family who also needs the expertise of a dentist experienced in assessing oral restrictions such as tongue and lip ties, a myofunctional therapist, a midwife, physician, dietitian, mental health professional, or another lactation consultant.

And that’s where the magic happens. ✨

We connect. We communicate. We collaborate. We refer. We support.

Because when we have patients and clients in common, our goal should never be “How do I keep this client?” It should be:

“What does this family need, and who can help provide it?”

There is room for all of us.

When we build relationships with other professionals, we help build a stronger village for the families we serve. And when parents have a village of knowledgeable, compassionate people surrounding them, they don’t have to navigate pregnancy, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding and parenthood alone.

Better Together isn’t just the name of my business.
It’s something I truly believe and have spent the last 6+ years building.

Let’s connect. Let’s share knowledge. Let’s support one another. And most importantly, let’s make sure the families in our communities have the village they deserve. ❤️

Diana Verbrugghe, RN, IBCLC
Better Together Breastfeeding Support
Registered Nurse | International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

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I love giving clients prenatal breast-feeding, education, and helping set them up for their best chance of success. A new mom needs knowledge support and inability to advocate for themselves and their baby in a world where a system isn’t always the most up-to-date, or support is minimal. Please reach out if you would like to have a personal breast-feeding class or if you’re looking for the perfect gift you can give someone a prenatal session.

🌿 Vacation Notice 🌿

After visiting my scheduled client this morning, I’ll be away enjoying a much-needed vacation with my family until Tuesday, August 4th.

After many months of working seven days a week, it’s time to slow down, recharge, and soak up some quality time with the people I love. ❤️

I’ll be back on August 4th, ready to support more families through prenatal breastfeeding classes, in-home consultations, and virtual visits. During my time away, I won’t be monitoring emails or phone calls regularly, and I’ll respond to all messages once I’m back in the office.

To all of the families I’ve had the privilege of supporting thus far, thank you for trusting me to be part of your journey.

I hope you are enjoying your summer. Treasure these moments with your babies and your families. The days can feel long, but they pass so quickly.

And remember… you can do hard things. One feed, one cuddle, one day at a time.

I can’t wait to reconnect with you all soon.

Let’s be Better Together, when I return. 💕

Diana Verbrugghe, RN - IBCLC
Better Together Breastfeeding Support

Milk storage guidelines can be confusing but there are several different factors involved.

Are you curious? Have a look!

Why Do Milk Storage Guidelines Differ? Reading different milk storage guidelines from different sources can be crazy making! Which guidelines are right? Why don't the experts agree? What do you really need to know? The good news is that there are logical explanations for these differences. And once you know them, you can store and use yo...

Wondering about alcohol and breastfeeding? Have a listen :)

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Today is Canada Day, many celebrations are being had. This often brings up many questions around drinking & breastmilk. The key thing to remember is that alcohol doesn’t become “trapped” in breast milk. Breast milk is made from your blood, so the alcohol level in your milk rises and falls along with your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Here’s how it works: 🥂 As you drink alcohol: * Alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream. * It passes into breast milk by simple diffusion. * The concentration of alcohol in breast milk is very similar to the concentration in your blood (not higher). ⏰ As your body metabolizes the alcohol: * Your blood alcohol level gradually decreases. * The alcohol level in your breast milk decreases at the same rate. * Your body naturally clears the alcohol, pumping does not remove alcohol from breast milk or make it leave faster. How long does it take? For a healthy adult, one standard drink (for example, a 5 oz glass of wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz spirits) typically takes about 2 hours to clear from the bloodstream. This can vary depending on body size, whether you’ve eaten, liver function, and other factors. A rough guide: * 🍷 1 drink → about 2 hours * 🍷🍷 2 drinks → about 4 hours * 🍷🍷🍷 3 drinks → about 6 hours Can you breastfeed after drinking? * An occasional alcoholic drink is generally compatible with breastfeeding. * If possible, feed your baby just before having a drink to maximize the time before the next feed. Drink water * Waiting about 2 hours per standard drink before breastfeeding further reduces your baby’s exposure. “Pump and dump”, is it necessary? Usually, no. Pumping and discarding milk doesn’t remove alcohol from your milk any faster. The only reason to pump would be: * To relieve uncomfortable breast fullness. * To maintain your milk supply if you’re away from your baby. Another safety concern —> Your ability to safely care for your baby if impaired, not the amount of alcohol in the milk. If you feel impaired, you should: * Have a sober adult care for the baby. * Avoid bed-sharing or sleeping with your baby after drinking, as alcohol significantly incre

🍁🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day from Better Together Breastfeeding Support! ❤️

I hope your day is filled with family, laughter, sunshine, and making memories.

As we celebrate, remember that today’s heat (35°C!) may mean your baby wants to breastfeed more often 🤱 and that’s completely normal!

☀️ Breastfeeding isn’t always about a full meal.

Sometimes it’s:
💧 A drink to stay hydrated.
🍓 A quick snack.
🍽️ A full feast.
🤱 A cluster feed to help increase milk supply.
❤️ A check-in for comfort, connection, and regulation.

Your baby knows exactly what they need, and your body is beautifully designed to respond.

On hot days:
🧊 Keep yourself as cool as possible.
💦 Drink to thirst and have water nearby whenever you nurse.
🌳 Stay in the shade or air conditioning when you can.
👶 Dress baby in lightweight clothing and watch for feeding cues! They may nurse more frequently but for shorter periods.

If it feels like your baby is “feeding all day,” remember that during hot weather this can be completely normal.

Wishing you and your little ones a safe, fun, and happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦❤️

Diana Verbrugghe, RN, IBCLC
Better Together Breastfeeding Support

CanadaDay NewParents FeedingYourBaby OntarioMoms StThomasOntario SouthwesternOntario

One of my favourite parts of being an IBCLC is building relationships with other healthcare providers who truly put families first. It takes a village to support a family, and today I got to meet another amazing part of that village As a lactation consultant, I often work with babies who are experiencing feeding challenges. Sometimes those challenges are straightforward, and sometimes they’re more complex. When concerns like tongue ties, lip ties, oral function, or muscle tension are involved, families deserve a team that looks at the whole picture. My goal has always been to empower families with evidence-based education so they can make informed decisions that feel right for them. Having trusted professionals in our community who share that philosophy is something worth celebrating. #IBCLC #BetterTogetherBreastfeedingSupport #Breastfeeding #SouthwesternIbclc #LetsBeBetterTogether

Sometimes things don’t go quite as planned… and that’s okay. 💕

This morning, I met up with a retired nurse, former colleague, and fellow IBCLC for what was supposed to be a coffee date. We arrived only to discover there was nowhere to sit. ☕🚫

So, we pivoted.

Instead of a cozy café table, we found ourselves sitting in her car, talking for over an hour about breastfeeding, mother-baby care, complex feeding situations, grief, healthcare, and the importance of supporting families through some of their most vulnerable moments.

And honestly? It was perfect. We talked, reflected and it reminds me of how far we have come but how far we have yet to go in the work we do as lactation consultants and society around support. Perspective gives us a guide, compassion and a clearer focus.

There is something incredibly valuable about connecting with someone who understands the work, the challenges, and the privilege of supporting families. Sometimes, as an IBCLC, especially in private practice, it can feel a little isolating. Breastfeeding expertise is often underutilized within healthcare, and families don’t always receive the support or evidence-based guidance they deserve simply because many healthcare providers haven’t had the specialized training.

Today’s conversation reminded me that none of us are meant to do this work alone.

When we share knowledge, learn from one another, and lean on the experience of those who have walked this path before us, everyone benefits; especially the families we serve.

Years of experience sat together in a parked car this morning, and I left feeling inspired, encouraged, and grateful for friendship.

Because whether you’re a parent navigating feeding challenges or a healthcare professional supporting families, we’re always stronger when we work together.

Better Together isn’t just the name of my business; it’s how meaningful support happens. 💕

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Diana Verbrugghe RN, IBCLC