*This article originally appeared on Kingstonist as a Paid Feature Article*
Kingston Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Stephanie Cote, is helping families feel more confident in their feeding journey — starting before baby even arrives.
Through her practice, The Mama Coach, Cote supports families through pregnancy, newborn feeding, and sleep challenges. She offers prenatal breastfeeding preparation, in-home lactation consultations, and clinic visits for families who need breastfeeding support after baby arrives.
More recently, her practice has expanded to focus on helping pregnant families prepare for breastfeeding before birth through her signature Nurtured Start package, which provides proactive support throughout pregnancy and the newborn months.
Cote said that while most mothers plan to breastfeed, many stop earlier than they intended.
“Around 90 per cent of mothers initiate breastfeeding, but far fewer are still exclusively breastfeeding by six months,” she said.
“In Kingston, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 5.5 months is only about five per cent. Breastfeeding challenges are extremely common — but with the right preparation and early support, many of these struggles can be prevented.”
Cote explains that most prenatal care focuses heavily on labour and delivery, with very little preparation for feeding.
“By the time many parents seek help, they are already overwhelmed and ready to quit,” she said.
“Early guidance can change the entire trajectory of a family’s feeding journey. That’s why many families now choose to book support in pregnancy, so they know they have expert guidance from day one.”
Preparing for breastfeeding before birth can help families feel more confident, identify issues early, and find solutions faster — all while reducing stress and second-guessing.
As a Kingston lactation consultant and pediatric sleep consultant, Cote provides a unique level of support for families navigating the early months.
Families can book breastfeeding consultations in their home or at her Kingston clinic, where she provides comprehensive feeding assessments, personalized care plans, and ongoing support.
“Instead of one-off visits, many families choose my Nurtured Start breastfeeding support package, which they secure during pregnancy so they have immediate support after their baby arrives,” she said.
“This allows me to guide them through the early weeks with proactive care, feeding assessments, and real-time support when questions come up.”
Cote also works with families who are already experiencing breastfeeding challenges, including painful latch, concerns about milk supply, slow weight gain, or babies who struggle to settle between feeds.
“These are incredibly common concerns. With the right assessment and support, many feeding issues can be resolved quickly,” she stated.
One local mom shared her feedback: “My only regret was not scheduling an appointment in advance of my daughter’s birth so I had the support I needed immediately.”
Families in Kingston and surrounding communities can book breastfeeding consultations in-home or at Cote’s clinic, or secure proactive support during pregnancy through her Nurtured Start breastfeeding package.
“Just like families prepare for labour and birth, preparing for feeding can make an enormous difference in how those early weeks unfold,” she said.
Expectant parents and new families can learn more or book support at stephanie-cote.themamacoach.com/booknow/.
This article is sponsored by Stephanie Cote, The Mama Coach. Interested in a Business Feature on Kingstonist? Contact jessica.foley@kingstonist.com
*Editor’s note: I hope to continue to share my writing, though most of my time/energy is spent at Kingstonist. As such, I will be publishing some of my articles here after some time has elapsed from the original publication date. This piece was paid for by the business (The Mama Coach) and was published on Kingstonist in September 2025.
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