Connecting Patients to Breastfeeding Support: Community-Based Resources for Inclusive Care
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) offers free, accessible, and timely breastfeeding support available seven days a week, with no appointment or referral required.
In 2024, more than 2,600 families accessed OPH’s Parenting in Ottawa Drop-ins, now provided at 15 locations across the city. These drop-ins offer a welcoming space for parents to receive expert guidance and compassionate care, including breastfeeding/chestfeeding support.
Below are drop-ins tailored to meet the needs of specific populations, helping ensure services remain inclusive, culturally responsive, and aligned with the diverse needs of Ottawa's families:
Drop-in tailored for young parents: OPH’s Healthy Growth and Development team offers a monthly drop-in for young parents aged 29 and under at the St Mary's Home, located at 780 rue l’Eglise Street.
Drop in serving rural Ottawa: Ottawa Public Health, in partnership with Rural Family Connections, offers breastfeeding support at two rural drop-in locations – Rural Family Connections Metcalfe (8243 Victoria Street) and the Greely Ottawa Public Library (1448 Prom . Meadow). Patients can check the Rural Family Connections calendar of events for up-to-date drop-in schedules and service details.
Drop-in tailored for Inuit Families: In Fall of 2025, Healthy Growth and Development launched new culturally safe breastfeeding support drop-ins in collaboration with Inuit centers to better serve Inuit families in Ottawa. For schedule details, please contact the centers directly: Tungasuvvingat Inuit (613) 565-5885, Inuuqatigiit (613) 744-3133 and Larga Baffin (613) 248-3552.
Support available through partner organizations: Patients can also access breastfeeding help by appointment, with no referral required, at many partner organizations throughout the city, including Carlington CHC, Centretown CHC, Pinecrest-Queensway CHC, Somerset West CHC, South-East Ottawa CHC and the Monarch Centre. For location details and daily schedules, patients can visit Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Resources in Ottawa - Parenting in Ottawa. It is recommend that they call or check online before heading out.
Geneviève Mosher RN BScN
Nursing Project Officer
Ottawa Public Health