Education Credentials
I am a voracious learner, and I am almost constantly doing some kind of course or training. This is a synopsis of my major training/certifications. I attended Campus Saint-Jean and have a Bachelor of Arts (Dbl Major History and French Language). After having my first child, I became a babywearing educator, a Gottman Institute Bringing Baby Home Educator, and a Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. I have level 1 certification in Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education (FINE 1), which supports family-centred developmental care. I have been with my partner for 16 years and we have 2 children, (the oldest is now 10!) I am a retired La Leche League Canada Leader and I was an ALPP Certified Lactation Counselor.
Philosophy
I deeply believe that every family can make empowered feeding choices that help them to feel the beauty and connection of feeding their baby. There is no moral hierarchy to feeding your baby and what is “right” for one family may not be “right” for another. I enjoy supporting families with information and skills for their chosen feeding. I do not dictate how a family feeds their child(ren). This reminds me of how there is no one perfect home for every family – what is one family’s dream home can be another family’s nightmare. I believe every family can make the best decision for them when I create a safe, supportive environment and inform them according to their goals.
I remember being a vulnerable new parent who felt shame and confusion as I struggled to understand why my baby and I were unable to feed effectively. These experiences shaped my values, which include making sure that every family feels heard and accepted. As a white settler on Treaty 6, I understand that humility is necessary for my role and I value cultural sensitivity, queer representation, and amplifying the voices of people of colour. Birth and feeding involve very big feelings, so I also value trauma-informed care. In my values for multidisciplinary lenses of care, I am never afraid to seek out the expertise of others.
Treatment Specialties
I specialize in inclusive family feeding, meaning that I support everything from a single baby feeding from a single parent, to multiple babies who have multiple ways of feeding with 2+ adults involved in feeding care. I am able to support newborns and preemies from the early days of life, through to the introduction of solid foods and beyond. I help families with the stages of weaning, no matter the age of the child(ren) being weaned. I have a particular interest in bottle feeding support and pumping. (I even own several different pumps, which can be available upon request.)
Fun Fact about Brittney: I love a good road trip and once drove from Edmonton to Salt Lake City in a single day so I could go help a friend with her newborn in the hospital. (This was back before I even had kids and it was an enlightening experience!)