Instagram story viewer> @mamasaulait> Tagged

MAMAS AU LAIT | Lactation & Wellness

@mamasaulait

1.7K

followers

1669

following

Compassionate lactation care for all families 💖
♡ Founder @drpaolavallarino
♡ We’re here for you & your baby!
♡ Clinic • Virtual • Home 📍Toronto GTA

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

🥤 Your baby doesn’t need a sippy cup before learning to drink from an open cup or a straw cup!

When complementary feeding begins around 6 months, you can also start introducing cup-drinking skills, provided your baby is developmentally ready.

🥛 A few things to remember:

• Begin with small amounts and offer help as needed.
• Keep your baby upright and supervised while drinking.
• Water can be offered in small amounts (1-2 oz) with meals once complementary feeding begins; breast milk or formula remains the main drink throughout the first year.
• Choose an age-appropriate cup and follow your baby’s cues. Our favourite is the squeezable bear straw cup! 🐻 (LINK IN BIO!)

As a physician, lactation specialist, and nutritionist, I love helping families understand not just WHAT to offer, but HOW, WHEN, and WHY it matters for their baby’s development. 🧠✨

And remember: if you’ve already introduced a sippy cup, don’t worry! You can introduce an open cup or straw cup now that you know. 💕

Have questions about your baby’s feeding journey? Book a 1:1 consultation for personalized guidance! 💛

4

1

Your village looks good on you. 🤎

We are the team that cares for you through pregnancy, supports your little ones as they grow, and reminds you that you deserve care, too.

From prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care to pelvic floor physio, massage, lactation support and so much more — we're here for all the seasons, transitions, and little plot twists that come with life.

Because you deserve more than a place to book an appointment. You deserve a team in your corner.

✨ Welcome to Frame Fidelity.

📍 Toronto

🤎 Find your people. Explore our services and book your visit through our links in bio.

#FrameFidelity #TorontoMoms #TorontoParents #PrenatalCareToronto #PediatricChiropractor TorontoWellness

16

3

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

10

2

My availability for FREE feeding consultations for September 20-27!
📧Message me to secure your spot!
🌎All appointments are PRIVATE 1 on 1, ONLINE & available WORLDWIDE.
🕰️All times in EST.
🩷Your comfort is important, if you are not comfortable with having me observe a nursing session I will ask you to describe what you are seeing, hearing and feeling so that I can help you!🩷
#lactationsupport #bottlefeeding #nursingmom

3

1

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

3

0

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

3

5

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. 🥰

3

1

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

3

19

☀️🦟 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? ☀️🦟

12

1

✨ 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.

3

1

☀️ 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! ☀️👶

3

1

For many families, this isn’t a hypothetical situation — it’s reality.

Dr. James McKenna has spent decades studying mother-infant sleep. One of his most important messages isn’t that every family should bedshare. It’s that exhausted parents deserve realistic education. 🙌🏼

Because many parents who never planned to bedshare end up falling asleep while feeding their baby.

And falling asleep accidentally on a couch, recliner, or unsafe sleep surface can be far more dangerous than a planned, informed approach.

As a mom, I’ve been there. 🫩

The 3 a.m. feed.

The baby who wants to nurse all night.

The exhaustion that makes it hard to keep your eyes open. 😣

The fear of doing the wrong thing. 🥺

Before experiencing it myself, I thought safe sleep conversations were simple. 🫠

Then I became a mom.

And I realized that many of the decisions parents make happen in the middle of the night, running on very little sleep, while trying their best. 😩

That’s why I appreciate Dr. James McKenna’s approach.

Many parents will become so exhausted that staying awake during feeds becomes difficult. Families deserve practical, evidence-based information that helps them navigate those moments as safely as possible. 🫶🏻

We can talk about safe sleep while also talking honestly about parental exhaustion.

Both conversations matter.

As moms, lactation consultants, and sleep educators, we’re not here to judge your choices. We’re here to guide you, help you understand your options, and share evidence-based resources so you can make informed decisions that work for your family. 🥰

💛 No judgment. Just education, support, and realistic discussions about life with a newborn. Booking link in bio 🔗

Have you ever experienced the 3 a.m. struggle?

3

1