Feeding a newborn can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of early parenthood. While many women envision breastfeeding as something that should come naturally, the reality is that it often takes patience, practice and support.
In Sudbury, the Infant Feeding Network, a volunteer-led group of dedicated nurses and midwives is working to make that journey easier for families by strengthening community supports and awareness around breastfeeding. Carolyn Marshall, a member of the Infant Feeding Network is a registered nurse and owner of The Mama Coach in Sudbury; a private clinic dedicated to improving the quality of life for women and families. She says, “We are a group of very passionate nurses and midwives in the community who are doing what we can to improve breastfeeding and infant feeding.”
The five members of the Infant Feeding Network, including Carolyn Marshall are, Registered Nurses Lianne Holland and Karissa Turner and Registered Midwives, Sara Vildis and Meredith Crowder. Sara and Meredith are midwives for the Sudbury Community Midwives, Lianne Holland works at HSN as a labour and delivery nurse and privately as a doula as Birth Coach Lianne. Karissa Turner is a private registered nurse for MamaNurseRN. Collectively, this group has a wealth of experience.
Sudbury’s breastfeeding support resources
Women can access a range of breastfeeding support in Sudbury. The Public Health Breastfeeding Clinic and Midwifery Care Lactation Clinic offer personalized care and have International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants on staff to consult on more serious issues. The Shkagmik-Kwe Health Centre is a welcoming space for Indigenous women.
All of the clinics are accessible and free of charge.
Carolyn Marshall and Karissa Turner have private (pay out of pocket) in-home and virtual support options for parents struggling with feeding issues, some of which may be covered by extended health benefit plans.
Despite the number of clinics, many new mothers in Sudbury aren’t aware of the support network available to them. In her prenatal classes, Carolyn Marshall often hears new mothers express fear over not making enough milk for their infants to grow and thrive. Carolyn says, “Too often, women feel ashamed for needing help, because breastfeeding is natural, they expect it to come easily. The truth is, the need for support is normal and makes all the difference, especially in the first few weeks. When our members work with women, we can actually see them relax.”
What is the Breastfeeding Challenge?
On Sunday, October 5th, families are invited to gather at Fielding Park in Sudbury at 1:30 pm for the annual Breastfeeding Challenge. This hour-long, informal event welcomes everyone, whether women have just begun breastfeeding or have been nursing for a few years. Carolyn says, “We’re there to celebrate moms and the sacrifices they make to breastfeed. All of us being nurses and midwives, help people navigate feeding challenges and celebrate them in this way. Last year, 35 women attended, with 13 babies latching on in unison, it was a powerful moment.”
The Breastfeeding Challenge is about supporting the community, answering questions, and dispelling myths often spread on social media. First launched in the U.S. by the Quintessence Foundation, the Breastfeeding Challenge promotes health education around human milk and breastfeeding.
The Infant Feeding Network’s focus has been to build practical and local support systems and to ensure parents know where to access supports in Sudbury. Carolyn Marshall says, “We’re trying to connect families with the right resources at the right time. We want to reduce the stress and isolation for women. We also want to normalize breastfeeding in our community. Every effort to feed a baby matters and we want to ensure that no one navigates the breastfeeding journey alone.”
The Breastfeeding Challenge is being held on Sunday, October 5th at 1:30 pm following the midwives’ annual picnic at Fielding Park in Sudbury.
It’s a family-friendly event and everyone is welcome.