Welcome to Baby's First Sips
In-Home Lactation Consulting, Support, and Education for Families throughout the Greater Toronto Area
Breastfeeding Consultations
Just discharged from the hospital? This is usually the time that we get THE phone call. Whatever your concern, we can provide any assistance and support that you may need.
You can expect us to collaborate with you to overcome any issues that you might be having, which includes creating a baby’s feeding plan with you to address identified needs. By the end of the visit, you will be feeling supported, empowered and encouraged.
Our Passion
Baby’s First Sips is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant/ Registered Perinatal Nurse provider of in-home breastfeeding support, and education for families throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Our purpose and passion is to help parents navigate through any of the multitude of breastfeeding issues that may arise. Depending on your needs, it might be answering questions, clarifying something you might have heard, or offering of support. Other times it can be more challenging issues. In all cases we are here to help. And we do this in the most caring and supportive environment possible: in your own home.
Since we come to you, there is no stress travelling with your newborn and trying to get to an appointment on time. We help you create the perfect nursing environment in your home and then give you the support & guidance to make it work best for you and your baby. Everything is done in your home, where you’re most comfortable, in control, and at ease.
Common Breastfeeding Challenges
Sore nipples and/or breast pain
Latching & Positioning
Baby weight gain
Milk supply
Preterm baby
Jaundice
Gassy baby
Fussy at breast
Breast refusal
Plugged ducts and Mastitis
Breast Augmentation/Reduction
Tongue-tie
Flat or Inverted nipples
Our Services
When you choose Baby's First Sips, you’re choosing to live your life to the fullest! There is nothing more rewarding than being with and supporting new families. I see parents transform when things begin to work the way they want and hoped. By choosing Baby's First Sips you will be supported as a unique individual, empowered, and encouraged to be the best parent ever!
In-Home Breastfeeding Support
Just discharged from the hospital? This is usually the time that we get THE phone call. Whatever your concern, we can provide any assistance and support that you may need.
You can expect us to collaborate with you to overcome any issues that you might be having, and that includes creating a baby’s feeding plan with you to address identified needs. By the end of the visit, you will be feeling supported, empowered and encouraged.
Your Home visit will include:
· Complete Birth parent and Baby health history
· Breast assessment
· Oral and sucking assessment
· Latching and positioning support
· Baby behaviour, feeding cues, and
anticipatory guidance
· Tips & tools to help you breastfeed more easily & effectively
· Milk transfer intake and nutritive feeding
suck-swallow assessment
Private Sleep Consultation
Private sleep consultations are great for parents looking for support and guidance in establishing healthy sleep habits for their baby. It is known that a good sleep is not only essential to your baby's growth and development, but for the whole family's well being. While sleep itself is a natural process, developing healthy sleep habits is a learned skill. With so many conflicting opinions on sleep from books, professionals, family and friends, it can be overwhelming for parents to choose the best sleep approach for their family. I am here to help!
Kim has extensive knowledge of baby & early child developmental needs, parenting, effective sleep coaching methods and scheduling routines. She will conduct a comprehensive sleep assessment while working closely with you to design and implement a customized sleep plan for your family’s needs and parenting style.
In-Hospital Breastfeeding Support
Our primary focus is on breastfeeding, especially initial latching & positioning with early skin-to-skin contact. This is the most important time for baby and mom to ensure proper latching and colostrum/milk transfer, which establishes a healthy milk supply, as well as prevents tissue damage, excessive weight loss or rising jaundice levels. In hospital, the lactation consultants in-house will most likely see you. We can always be on-call to assist with latching & proper technique in-hospital.
Prenatal Classes
We can offer a customized Breastfeeding 101 class or one-to-one consultation at your home that answers all of your questions and more. This is a popular option for those who have a busy family/work life or have friends who would also benefit from the session.
Of course, breastfeeding success goes beyond getting the facts, it also involves creating the environment to practice and build your confidence. Whether you’re expecting your first child or you have previously experienced nursing challenges, a prenatal consultation or class will give you valuable confidence and skills for welcoming your new baby.
What They’re Saying About Us
Straight from the Source
We choose Baby's First Sips because of Kim's experience and background. She seemed abundantly qualified to help me with a variety of issues I was having with breastfeeding. We reached out to Kim when my newborn was one month old to help with:
- trouble latching (sharp pain during latch/feeding)
- vasospasm of nipples
- issues with fast letdown
- gassy baby
Kim got back to us right away, was very flexible, and we scheduled a time for that week. Once she arrived, she was able to answer my questions in full and provide solutions to my issues. It's honestly night and day after our experience with Kim and to no longer be in pain when feeding my baby is amazing. I will 100% be recommending Baby's First Sips to all my friends.
- Mel and Arju
"Kim was so quickly available for me when I needed her most! My newborn was 8 days old and although I breastfed my first son fairly easily it wasn't the case this time around. I had engorgement, cracked nipples, bleeding, latch issues and I just wasn't sure if my baby was feeding properly. Sometimes it hurt, sometimes it didn't. Sometimes he would just fall asleep on the boob and I felt like all I was doing was feeding... I needed some clarity from someone else.
Kim came in and was so kind, friendly, non-judgmental and listened to all of my concerns. She made me feel calm and very comfortable. It is obvious that she loves what she does and she knew exactly how to coach me. If you are unsure of what you are doing, or think you know but just want some reassurance, I highly recommend you contact Kim. This is an important time and process for your baby's health and worth every dime! Not to mention some health care spending accounts, through benefit plans, will cover it! I was lucky and mine did! Good Luck new Mummies!!!"
- Pamela Thornton
"Kim's visits provided an excellent blend of support, encouragement and information. She had a wealth of knowledge about breastfeeding techniques and community resources and an easy way of combining this professional knowledge with her personal experience as a mother of four children. Through many weeks of visiting, Kim was consistently both kind and professional, available and immensely patient in answering the many questions I had as a new mom."
- Carla Zucchero Sarracini
"Here is a little thanks for all the care and support you showed us at the time of our daughter, Sophie's birth. Breastfeeding continues to be something we work on, but with the principles you ingrained from the beginning, we know we'll be ok. Thanks for everything you did to make us believe that we got this!"
- Sheetal, Paul, Roman and Sophie
"I found the workshop very informative. It taught me a lot and will be very helpful in the future."
"Interactive, practical and very positive instructor (enthusiasm). Thank you so much - I learned a lot of really applicable information."
"Very informative with a wide variety of options, choices and potential conditions of breastfeeding. Kim is a wonderful facilitator."
"Learning about all the myths of breastfeeding."
- Feedback from Breastfeeding Workshop Participants (Doula certification hours)
Resources
Links to valuable evidence-based resources
