Since 2003 Maria has been supporting families as a breastfeeding counsellor, doula, and childbirth educator. After having her third child Maria began to pursue the IBCLC designation at the International Breastfeeding Centre. She has been an IBCLC since 2012 and currently has the pleasure of working at the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic while also continuing with her private practice. Maria, who is fluent in Spanish, enjoys empowering and supporting families in her role as staff Lactation Consultant and Clinical Practice Co-Coordinator and teaching students as faculty for the Centre for Breastfeeding Education.

Suzanne has been an IBCLC on staff at the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic for the past ten years. For the past five years, she has also enjoyed training midwives and doctors in lactation as well as her role as a Pathway III mentor for future IBCLCs. Helping families to find solutions to breastfeeding challenges is truly satisfying work, and the babies are cute! Suzanne, who is fluent in French, also does home visits, is a retired La Leche League Leader, and has been active in the Durham Breastfeeding Coalition.

In her previous life, Shery was Founder and past President of Bravado! Designs – a nursing bra company. Under her guidance, the company grew from a small home-based business to one gaining international recognition and sales. Shery left the company on 2005 and began the journey towards the true love of her life – being a Lactation Consultant. In 2007 Shery began training at the International Breastfeeding Centre and in 2009 became an IBCLC. She has the immense pleasure of working at the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic while continuing to build a private practice.

Like many lactation consultants, it was Jandy’s own struggles with her first child that inspired her to become an IBCLC. She began working toward the certification in 2014 and wrote the exam and certified in 2017. She had her third child in 2016 so he came to the clinic with her for almost a year while she finished her training!
Jandy has a growing private practice, primarily in the Durham region, and can also be seen at Barefoot Health Naturopathic clinic in Ajax. She is also a Babywearing Educator and loves to help parents find the carrier that best fits their family’s needs.
She is very proud and excited to be working with such a dedicated, professional and committed team and is thrilled at the opportunity to continue to learn from her wonderful colleagues and to continue helping families meet their breastfeeding goals.

Ashley trained at the International Breastfeeding Centre and became an IBCLC in 2012. She works primarily in private practice while also working part time at the International Breastfeeding Centre and holding office hours at Abaton Integrative Medicine in Oakville. Ashley is also a DONA trained Birth Doula and CAPPA trained Postpartum Doula. As a Type 1 diabetic herself, she especially enjoys providing care and guidance for families navigating diabetic pregnancies and breastfeeding journeys.
Ashley holds many other certifications including Certified Babywearing Educator, Infant Sleep Educator, Attached at the Heart Parent Educator, and is working towards certification in Infant Mental Health.
Volunteering is also a big part of Ashley’s practice – she provides workshops at Ontario Early Years Centers and free drop ins in Halton and Peel.

It was Laura's own struggles with breastfeeding that prompted her to start a second career as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She started studying at IBC in 2014 and brought her third child to the clinic with her when he was an infant. She passed her certifying exam on her birthday in June of 2017. She feels very lucky to work in such a supportive environment and is excited to continue to learn, be a student mentor and participate in research activities. She has a growing private practice in Durham and York Regions and is an active member of both regions breastfeeding coalitions.

Dr. Jack Newman graduated from the University of Toronto medical school in 1970 and completed his residency at Vancouver General Hospital. Following this, he trained in pediatrics in Quebec City and then at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto from 1977-1981. In 1981, Dr. Newman became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, as well as Board Certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics

Dr. Newman was a staff paediatrician at the Hospital for Sick Children emergency department from 1983 to 1992, and acted as Chief of Emergency Services for a short period. During his time at the Hospital for Sick Children, he founded the first hospital-based breastfeeding clinic in Canada in 1984. He has been a consultant for UNICEF for the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, where he evaluated the first candidate hospitals in Gabon, the Ivory Coast, and Canada. In 2013, Dr. Newman was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for service to the community.

Aviva completed her medical degree at McGill University in 1999 and her pediatric residency at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto in 2003. Aviva joined the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic in 2011. She has a special interest in tongue-tie as it relates to breastfeeding and she is a member of the International Affiliation of Tongue Tie Professionals. She is involved in pediatric education of trainees in the Lactation Medicine program at the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic and speaks about breastfeeding to other physician groups. Aviva also has two consulting pediatric practices in the GTA where she works as a consulting pediatrician.

Pooja received her medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis and completed her pediatrics residency training at St. Louis Children's Hospital, a top ten children's hospital in the U.S. After completing her training, she joined the transport and emergency pediatrician team at Children's Hospital New Orleans. She has practiced general pediatrics in Thornhill, Ontario since 2010 and joined the staff of the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic in 2014.

Eitan studied medicine at the University of Toronto and trained in pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He currently holds staff positions at Scarborough Grace Hospital and North York General Hospital. Eitan provides primary pediatric care and participates in consultation work at Kindercare Pediatrics and also does consultation work at the Polyclinic Family & Specialty Medicine Clinic. In addition to his clinical work, Eitan teaches medical students and residents from the University of Toronto. He has a special interest in supporting breastfeeding families and has worked at the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic since 2012.