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Breastfeeding Support Groups

Breastfeeding? Have questions? Need support? Looking for some interaction with other parents?

We want to help you reach your breastfeeding goals because breastfeeding is important and can take time, practice, and support. 

Our Breastfeeding Support Groups are for all parents living in Simcoe County or the District of Muskoka. Each week you can participate in-person or online, at the location and time that is best for you and your child.

These free groups provide parents a place to talk, share experiences and encourage each other during their breastfeeding experience. Public health nurses offer support and answer your questions about feeding your baby, baby care, infant sleep, developmental stages, and parenting. They will also nurture parent-to-parent support and the sharing of experiences. 

Help and support are available anytime. Click here for more information. 

In-Person Breastfeeding Support Groups

Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Barrie EarlyON Child and Family Centre, 129 Ferris Lane, Barrie, ON L4N 2Y1

Participants can pre-register through the Barrie EarlyON calendar or drop-in and register on arrival.

Can’t join us in-person?

See information below on how to register for our Online Breastfeeding Support Groups.

Wednesdays: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.  (Note: Cancelled April 17, 2024)

Alliston EarlyON Child and Family Centre, 13 Wellington Street, West, Alliston, ON L9R 1J3

Participants can drop-in and register on arrival.

Screening is required for all families attending a program at the Alliston EarlyON Child and Family Centre. 

More information is available here. Screening can be done ahead of time or on arrival. 

Can’t join us in-person?

See information below on how to register for our Online Breastfeeding Support Groups. 

Thursdays:  10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, 425 Holland Street, West, Bradford ON L3Z 0J2

Participants can drop-in and register on arrival.

Can’t join us in-person?

See information below on how to register for our Online Breastfeeding Support Groups. 

Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 

EarlyON Child and Family Centre, 250A Peel Street, Collingwood, ON L9Y 3W2

Participants can pre-register through the Collingwood EarlyON calendar or drop-in and register on arrival.

Can’t join us in-person?

See information below on how to register for our Online Breastfeeding Support Groups.

Online Breastfeeding Support Groups

Not able to join an in-person group? Join us online from the comfort of your home every Monday from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (except for Statutory Holidays) and Wednesday from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. for the Online Breastfeeding Group. Participants can join the group online using Microsoft Teams or by dialing in on a phone.

Click here to register for the Online Breastfeeding Support Groups.

How do I register to participate in the Online Breastfeeding Support Group?

If this is your first time participating, you will need to register by 8:30 a.m. Monday for the Monday group and by 8:30 a.m. Wednesday for the Wednesday group. You only need to register once and you will be registering for both groups. You can decide whether you want to attend on Mondays or Wednesdays. Following registration, you will receive emails twice a week with a link that will work for both the Monday and Wednesday groups.

To register fill out the information in the following form, agree to group’s participation guidelines and submit the form.  Click here to register. 

Guidelines for participating in the Online Breastfeeding Group

By registering and joining the online breastfeeding group online or via phone, you are providing your consent to participate. To participate in the Online Breastfeeding Group, you:  

Agree to share your questions and experiences with other people present in the group to the extent you are comfortable. (Tip: Be mindful of what you share online, knowing that your privacy is limited.)
Agree to respect the privacy of others by keeping what is said by other participants confidential.
Respect the uniqueness and opinions of all other participants in the group.
Agree that you will not take pictures or make recordings during the group.
Understand participation is optional and you can leave the group at any time. 

Protecting your privacy

Although Microsoft Teams is a secure platform, there is always a possibility that the security of the platform could be compromised. To protect your privacy, we:

Admit only those participants who have registered for the group.
Request online participants turn on their camera during introductions (after which participation using camera is optional).
Request participants turn off their camera while attending to private needs (e.g., diaper changes).
Request registered participants do not share the group link with people who are not registered. If you have friends that would like to join our group, ask them to register.
Do not audio record or take images of the group.
Request that participants do not record or taking images during the group. 
Request that only parents (and their children) who have registered to participate be present during the online group. If your partner or someone else would like to participate in the group, please let us know upon entering the virtual room and we can discuss their participation for that particular session of the group. 

Additionally, you can protect your privacy by participating from a private space. Check your surroundings before logging on with the awareness that others in the program can see you and your surroundings. SMDHU staff will also be in a private space during the program. 
SMDHU public health nurses keep information shared in the group in a confidential health record according to SMDHU privacy policies. Should you ever need access to those files you have the right to do so. 
In addition, if there are concerns regarding the safety and well-being of your child or the potential for harm to yourself or others, SMDHU is required to report to the appropriate agencies.

Tips for participating online

When you first logon to the group you will be placed in a waiting room. Please wait for a public health nurse to admit you to the group.
Please “raise your hand” to ask questions or share your ideas. There will be opportunities for open discussion. 
You can join us on your smart phone but if you can log on from a larger screen (i.e. tablet or computer) you will get the best view.
The gallery view is a great way to see the most people on the screen at once. It is the icon with several squares.

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