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MAMAS AU LAIT | Lactation & Wellness

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🌟 Big News! 🌟
 I’m honoured to share that I’ve been accepted into the LILAC Fellowship — a 2-year advanced training in Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine with the University of Rochester Medical Center! 👩🏻‍⚕️✨

This fellowship equips clinicians to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care in lactation medicine - and I couldn’t be more excited to grow, learn, and bring that expertise back to the families I serve. 💛

Thank you to my amazing mentor @mariana.colmenares_mdibclc who will be guiding me through this journey 🤩🙏🏼

I’ll be on maternity leave starting in February and will have limited in-person availability, but I’ve trained my team to continue delivering the excellent care you trust - and I’ll still be here virtually for a limited number of families. 👩🏻‍💻🤰🏻👶🏻🩵

Thank you for your support - we’re here for you and your baby every step of the way! 🥰

Paola 🫶🏻 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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10 months ago

Hey there, mama! Welcome to Mamas Au Lait! I’m so happy you’re here! 💛

Let me introduce myself! I’m Paola — Medical Doctor, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, and Lactation Consultant. I live in Toronto with my husband Edgar and our little one, Alexander. 👶🏻

When my son was born, I struggled with cracked nipples, oversupply, and a lot of pain. It felt so overwhelming! I couldn’t understand how something that was supposed to be beautiful felt so hard.

The doctor suggested I switch to formula and limit breastfeeding time. There I was, with my breasts full of milk, giving my baby formula and stressing over the clock when breastfeeding. After just one day of following the doctors advice, I had a gut feeling it wasn’t right for us.

Just when I was about to give up, I decided to trust my instincts, sought out lactation consultants, and focused on bonding with my baby. A few days later, my nipples healed, my baby was thriving and happier, and I was finally enjoying breastfeeding! 🤩

That experience opened my eyes to how incredible breastfeeding can be and the importance of having support from trained professionals. As a doctor, I realized we may not always have the skills to provide the best support for breastfeeding families. So, I began my journey to become a lactation consultant and later mentored other healthcare providers to specialize in lactation. Fast forward five years, and now we have an amazing team at Mamas Au Lait, offering perinatal support including naturopathic medicine, feeding guidance, parenting advice, sleep solutions, and more. Plus, we’ve built a lovely community of mamas from all over the world. 🤱🏻

🔸I created Mamas Au Lait for those mamas who feel overwhelmed and unsure about what advice to follow. We’re here to provide you with trustworthy, updated, and evidence-based information—from one mama to another! 💛

Sharing a Then from when it all started 5 years ago, and now. ❤️ It’s amazing to look back and realize how quickly time has passed.

#momsupport #newmomsupport #newbaby #lactationsupport #breastfeeding #lactationconsultant #momjourney #breastfeedingjourney #motherhood #MamasAuLait #wellness #momcommunity by @mamasaulait

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2 years ago

BECOME THE BEST LACTATION SPECIALIST YOU CAN BE✨

…with Paola as your mentor 👩🏻‍⚕️

INTRODUCING OUR ADVANCED LACTATION PROGRAM 🎓✨

• Advanced Lactation Skills & Private Practice Tools •

👩🏻‍💻 An intensive online program with group mentoring and one-on-one coaching, WHERE YOU WILL LEARN ALL THE THINGS YOU DIDN’T LEARN IN YOUR LACTATION EDUCATION TRAINING! 🙌🏻

After completing the program you will:

♡ Treat patients with confidence

♡ Create life-changing lactation care plans for your patients

♡ Be a reliable resource for your patients and other lactation consultants

♡ Educate patients with a wealth of knowledge

♡ Be recognized in your field as a tongue-tie savvy practitioner

♡ Be ready to launch your private practice or to level-up your existing business so you can reach financial independence

♡ Be fully equipped to switch from one-time consultations to offering life-changing extended follow up for long-time patients that you will guide from pregnancy to weaning

▪️Module 1
Clinical Management of Low Milk Supply & Supplementation

▪️Module 2
Complex Infant Feeding Challenges: Tongue-ties, Oral Dysfunction and Complex Cases

▪️Module 3
Clinical Management of Maternal Complications

▪️Module 4
Supporting Parents of Older Infants and Toddlers: Solids, Weaning & Sleep

▪️Module 5
Charting, Templates and Referrals

▪️Module 6
Level-Up Your Lactation Private Practice: Business Coaching

If this is just what you need...
why wait?

You need to apply in order to be admitted into the program: we only have a few spots available, as our focus is to create an intimate and valuable experience!

APPLY NOW ✨

Link in bio 🔗 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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3 years ago

Lactation support, wherever you are. 🤍

Feeding questions don't always wait until you're in the clinic (and neither should support!). Our lactation consultant offers virtual visits, so you can get expert guidance from the comfort of your home, baby in your arms and all.

Because you deserve support that fits your life. ✨

#LactationConsultant #VirtualLactationSupport #InfantFeeding #BreastfeedingSupport #BottleFeedingSupport taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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a month ago

✨ Complimentary lactation support — limited availability ✨

We’re offering a small number of in-clinic, in-home and virtual lactation consultations at no cost to families as Melisa completes the final clinical hours of her mentorship program with @drpaolavallarino 💛

⏳ This opportunity is short-term and spots are limited.
If you’ve been hoping for support — or know a family who could benefit — now is the time.

👉 Booking is quick and easy through the link in our bio. taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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3 months ago

More pumping doesn’t always mean more milk. 🍼

Your body responds best when milk is removed effectively — not just frequently.

✔️ Make sure your flange fits.
✔️ Replace pump parts regularly.
✔️ Pump consistently instead of chasing marathon sessions.

Every breastfeeding journey is different, and your pumping plan should fit your goals — not someone else’s.

What’s your biggest pumping challenge? Tell me in the comments! 💛

#PumpingMom #ExclusivePumping #BreastfeedingSupport #Lactation #NewMom taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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4 months ago

Breastfeeding should NOT hurt. 🙅🏻‍♀️
 Pain is a sign to get support — not push through.
 As a mom and lactation doctor: pain is not something you just tolerate. There’s always a reason — and a real solution.
 “Just keep going” is not good advice.

“Just offer formula” is not a solution.
 You deserve real guidance.
 If it feels hard, confusing, or overwhelming — you’re not doing it wrong. You just need support that actually helps.🥰
 Please help spread the word: Every mom deserves to know that BREASTFEEDING SHOULDN’T HURT. I only wish I had known this when my first baby was born. 🥺 Share this so more moms know this and we can stop normalizing pain. 💜

——

La lactancia materna NO debería doler. 🙅🏻‍♀️

El dolor es una señal de que necesitas apoyo, no de que debas aguantar.

Como mamá y médica especialista en lactancia, quiero que sepas que el dolor no es algo que simplemente tengas que tolerar. Siempre hay una causa… y una solución.

“Solo sigue intentando” no es un buen consejo.

“Mejor dale fórmula” tampoco es la solución.

Tú mereces orientación basada en evidencia y apoyo de verdad.

Si la lactancia se siente difícil, confusa o abrumadora, no significa que lo estés haciendo mal. Solo necesitas el apoyo adecuado. 🥰

Por favor, ayúdame a compartir este mensaje: Toda mamá merece saber que la lactancia materna NO debería doler. Ojalá alguien me lo hubiera dicho cuando nació mi primer bebé. 🥺

Comparte esta publicación para que más mamás lo sepan y, entre todos, dejemos de normalizar el dolor durante la lactancia. 💜

👩🏻‍⚕️ Pao taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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4 months ago

Watch your baby, not the clock. 👶🏻 ⏰

Your newborn doesn’t know what time it is — and that’s okay! Most babies feed every 2–3 hours, but what really matters is feeding on demand.

Those early cues — rooting, squirming, hand-to-mouth — are your baby’s way of communicating hunger before the tears start. 💛

Every baby (and every day) looks a little different, and that’s perfectly okay. 💕

Trust your instincts, trust your baby, and if you’re feeling unsure, we’re here to guide you.

If you’re unsure what’s normal or need help figuring out your baby’s feeding rhythm, we’re here to help.

🤱 Book a consult with us anytime (in-person in Toronto, virtual for families all over the world 🌎) — you’ve got this, and we’ve got you. 🥰 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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4 months ago

A little professional milestone I’m excited to share. ✨

Last year I received my letter of acceptance into the Lactation and Infant Feeding (LILAC) Fellowship at the University of Rochester, and I’m excited to be starting the fellowship next month! 🤩

Plus, this week I found out that my poster has been accepted for presentation at the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Annual International Meeting in Toronto this October. 🥳🤩

As someone who is constantly learning and looking for ways to better support the families I work with, opportunities like these feel incredibly meaningful. I’m grateful for the mentors, colleagues, and families who continue to inspire this work every day. 💛

If you work in maternal and infant health — and especially in breastfeeding and lactation — this is a conference you won’t want to miss. 🙌🏼

The ABM Annual Meeting brings together clinicians, researchers, educators, and advocates from around the world to share the latest research and advance the field of lactation medicine. 🩺

I’m looking forward to learning, connecting with colleagues, and presenting my work. 🥰

If you’ll be attending ABM 2026 in Toronto, I’d love to connect and hope to see you there!

📍ABM 31st Annual International Meeting
October 13–15, 2026
Toronto, Ontario, Canada taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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4 months ago

☀️🦟 Sharing what’s currently in our family’s summer bag!

Our current picks:
• Attitude Sunly Mineral Stick
• Blue Lizard Sensitive Spray
• Blue Lizard Baby Lotion
• OFF! Family Care Insect Repellent

A few general reminders for little ones:
👶 Under 6 months:
✔️ Prioritize shade
✔️ Use lightweight protective clothing and hats
✔️ Use mosquito netting (it also provides some additional shade while keeping the stroller ventilated) and a portable fan
✔️ Avoid insect repellents and sunscreen

👶 6 months and older:
✔️ Use age-appropriate sunscreen and insect repellent
✔️ Reapply as directed
✔️ Continue using shade, hats, and protective clothing as your first line of defense

Not sponsored—just sharing what we’re using this summer. We definitely have our favorites, but we’re always open to trying new products and finding what works best for our family.

What are your summer essentials this year? ☀️🦟 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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4 months ago

✨ Have you tried tummy time on a yoga ball?

This simple variation can make tummy time more comfortable and fun for some babies. The gentle movement helps encourage head lifting, builds neck and shoulder strength, and may help babies tolerate tummy time for longer periods.

⚠️ always support your baby securely, move slowly, and stop if your baby becomes upset.

Every baby is different, so follow your little one’s cues and consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns about development. taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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4 months ago

☀️ Summer stroller safety reminder!

Avoid covering your baby’s stroller with blankets or muslin covers, even if you’re trying to create shade.

These covers can trap heat and significantly increase the temperature inside the stroller, putting babies at risk of overheating. 🥵

Instead:
✓ Use the stroller canopy for shade
✓ Use an additional stroller umbrella if needed
✓ Use a mesh cover for bug protection
✓ Add a stroller fan to improve airflow
✓ Check your baby frequently for signs of overheating

A stroller may seem comfortable from the outside, but it can get veryyyy hot inside when airflow is restricted.

Save this post and share it with another parent heading out for summer walks! ☀️👶 taken in Toronto, Ontario by @mamasaulait

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4 months ago