Breastfeeding Drop-In Sessions on Tuesdays in Maple Ridge

Baby Cafe is a free group that welcomes families with babies and small children on Wednesday
mornings based at St George Maple Ridge. It has been running for two and a half years, and in excess of 400 people have been through the doors in that time.

Since January 2019,  there’s a new Breastfeeding Drop-In session running on Tuesday mornings from 10:30am until 12noon. Fraser Health Public Health Nurses are on hand each week to provide
support. Just like Baby Cafe St George’s provide a welcoming space for mums and babies with
toys for older siblings to play with. St George’s is proud to serve fresh fair-trade organic coffee
and tea, and there are tasty home-made treats to enjoy all without charge.

Kimberly Jones and Dorina Messer are from Fraser Health and support the group. They
comment, “Maple Ridge Public Health & Ridge Meadows Hospital are working towards Baby
Friendly Initiative designation (BFI). This World Health Organization initiative was created to
protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Focus groups and survey questionnaires were
conducted through our Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows BFI committee, which highlighted a need for a
peer to peer breastfeeding drop in along with professional support. We are excited to partner
with St George Maple Ridge to offer this valuable group.”

Asiarya Njm is a first-time mom in Maple Ridge and she came to the first session in January. She
says, “After having my baby girl in January, I really struggled with breastfeeding for the first
month. I was told about this breastfeeding drop-in and knew I had to go get some guidance. Even
though I was a bit nervous at first, the women are so kind and made me feel welcomed as soon
as I arrived. I was given great tips and tricks to help perfect feeding my child. It's not only a great
place to get breastfeeding advice, I've met some new mom friends who also have kids around the
same age as mine. It’s now my go to hang out spot every Tuesday morning.”

St George’s Baby Cafe leader Bridget Edgerton comments “St George’s vision includes serving
our community and being a family-friendly church. We are excited to build on the special place
that Baby Cafe has become in the community and to offer this new place of support for
families.”

The drop-in session is open to everyone in the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows community. If you
have questions please contact St George’s through the website or call 604. 463. 9622.