Provides individualized support with a Lactation Consultant, who works with clients to help manage any challenges and to help reach infant feeding goals.
Breastfeeding Services
Services that provide support with breastfeeding and infant feeding.
Primary Care: Some family doctors, midwives, Community Health Centres or Family Health Teams have breastfeeding support available for their patients. Check with your primary care provider to find out if they have breastfeeding support. If they do not have support, your provider may be able to complete a referral form for services outside of their practice.
Private Practice: Some people look for support from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®). Search for a Lactation Consultant online outside of this guide. Some Lactation Consultant services may be free with provincial healthcare (OHIP) if you get a referral from your primary care provider, or there may be a cost to the service. If you are unsure if a service requires payment, please check with the individual or clinic.
Ancaster Pediatric Breastfeeding Clinic
Work: 905-304-8017
By appointment.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Covered by OHIP
Open to all breastfeeding.
Contact for an appointment. A referral from the child's primary care provider is preferred.
Breastfeeding Clinic at Joseph Brant Hospital
Work: 905-681-4840 x1
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Women who have delivered at Joseph Brant Hospital, and/or women who have a family doctor, midwife, or care provider with privileges at Joseph Brant Hospital. Not appropriate for babies over 6 weeks of age.
Contact for information.
Assists new mothers and babies (up to 6 weeks) with breastfeeding during their hospital stay and provides support and assistance after discharge both in the clinic and over the telephone. Visits are by appointment only.
Centre de Santé Communautaire Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program
Work: 905-528-0163 x3209
Contact for information.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
For French-speaking expectant and new mothers and their partners, as well as parents of children up to one year of age.
Contact for information.
Aims to educate new mothers on healthy interactions with their babies through prenatal classes, nutrition counselling, and postnatal home visits. The program includes:
- Promoting healthy choices during pregnancy
- Preparing for birth
- Breastfeeding
- Awareness of postpartum depression
- Mother-and-baby care after birth
Hamilton Public Health Breastfeeding Support
Work: 905-546-3550
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Open to all breastfeeding families in Hamilton.
Contact for information and to book an appointment.
Lactation Consultant or Public Health Nurse support for breastfeeding challenges and concerns via phone, virtual, or in person for eligible families with infants up to one year old.
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre Canada Prenatal Nutritional Program
Work: 905-548-9593 x227
Contact for information.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Expecting families who are willing to learn through Indigenous styles.
Contact for information.
Encourages and promotes healthy pregnancies for Aboriginal mothers and their babies, offering culturally appropriate support for babies up to 6 months of age and their families by improving maternal infant care, promoting healthy birth weights, and overall better health promotion for expecting mothers and their families. Services offered include:
- Prenatal/Postnatal classes
- Home/Hospital visits
- Nutritional and prenatal supplements
- Cultural teachings
- Advocacy and referrals
- Breastfeeding support
- New parent support
Health811
Toll-Free Number: 811
TTY Number: 1-866-797-0007
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Open to all residents of Ontario.
Phone 811, or visit website for live chat.
A free, confidential service which provides health advice and general health information from a registered nurse, as well as assistance finding health care providers, symptom assessment tool, and medical library.
In emergency situations a person should always call 911.
Also offers 24/7 breastfeeding support line. Breastfeeding experts available 24/7 to answer questions, provide breastfeeding plans, and provide referrals to in-person breastfeeding services in Hamilton.
Leche League Hamilton (La)
Home: 289-880-8125
Email and phone support available 7 days per week.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Open to parents, their support people, and their children.
Email or phone to receive support.
Provides peer-to-peer infant feeding support, from pregnancy to weaning. Support is available through email or phone.
Neonatal Assessment Post Discharge Clinic
Work: 905-521-2100 x76347
By appointment only.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Families with infants born at McMaster University Medical Centre and are 7 days old or less.
Contact for information. Lactation support available to inpatients at McMaster by referral only. Appointments are subject to availability.
Follow-up medical care once discharged from the hospital relating to jaundice care and breastfeeding support from a Lactation Consultant.
Welcome Baby Prenatal Nutrition Program
Work: 905-546-3550
Hours vary by location. Visit website for specific times, dates, and locations.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Participants must be pregnant to join and can continue attending until their baby is 6 months old. For City of Hamilton residents.
Participants must be pregnant to join. Choose one Welcome Baby group to attend and register on your first visit, no pre-registration is required. There is an online group option available for those experiencing barriers to attending an in-person Welcome Baby group. For more information email welcomebaby@hamilton.ca or call Health Connections at 905-546-3550.
Free weekly groups for pregnant individuals. Discussions with a Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian include pregnancy, labour and birth, managing stress, eating well and cooking healthy food, breastfeeding, and community supports. Grocery gift cards, multivitamin gift cards, and bus tickets are provided as needed. Online group options available for those experiencing barriers to attending an in-person Welcome Baby group.
Women's and Infants' Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Work: 905-522-1155 x33515
Contact for information.
Cost:
Who can access this service: None
Infants and their mothers
Registration may be required depending on the program. Contact the program unit for more information.
Provides parents with informed support before, during, and after the birthing process. Services include:
- Baby-Friendly Initiative
- Birthing Unit
- Breastfeeding and Newborn Assessment Clinic (BANA)
- Mother Baby Unit
- Special Care Nursery
A virtual tour of these units is provided online.