I knelt to tape down a fraying extension cord, watching the buzz of activity inside the hospital meeting room where clinicians, nursing mothers, and researchers gathered around a laptop. The atmosphere held a tension unique to rooms where technology meets urgent human need—in this case, supporting new mothers during one of life’s most intimate yet challenging journeys.
“When I had my daughter, I couldn’t get a straight answer from anyone about medication safety while breastfeeding,” explained Sarah Tahir, bouncing her now-thriving eight-month-old on her knee. “I almost stopped nursing entirely because I was afraid of hurting her when I needed antibiotics.”
Sarah isn’t alone. Across Canada, many new mothers report receiving conflicting advice about breastfeeding from healthcare providers, family members, and online sources. This information gap has real consequences for maternal and infant health outcomes, especially in communities with limited healthcare access.
This gathering at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa marked the soft launch of a promising solution developed at Ontario Tech University: a comprehensive digital platform designed to improve breastfeeding health literacy called NURTURE (Navigating User-centered Resources for Thriving and Resilient Experiences).
Dr. Mika Singh, the nursing informatics specialist who led the project, demonstrated the platform’s interface with the practiced calm of someone who has spent three years bringing a vision to life. “Information about breastfeeding shouldn’t be a privilege,” she told me as she navigated through the site. “We’ve built this with input from over 200 mothers from diverse backgrounds and 45 healthcare providers to ensure it addresses real needs.”
The NURTURE platform stands apart from existing resources in several key ways. Unlike most breastfeeding apps that focus primarily on tracking feeding sessions, NURTURE provides evidence-based information addressing the full spectrum of breastfeeding challenges. The content is presented in multiple languages and literacy levels, with visual guides supplementing text to ensure accessibility.
Perhaps most impressive is the medication safety database, which allows mothers to search specific medications and understand potential impacts on breastfeeding—filling exactly the knowledge gap that nearly derailed Sarah’s breastfeeding journey.
According to Health Canada data, while 91% of Canadian mothers initiate breastfeeding, only 34% continue exclusively breastfeeding for the recommended six months. The rates drop even lower among Indigenous communities, newcomers to Canada, and those in rural areas where access to lactation consultants and postpartum support is limited.
“The health literacy gap costs us all,” explained Dr. Ayana Johnson, a public health researcher at Women’s College Hospital who wasn’t involved in creating NURTURE but attended the launch. “When mothers discontinue breastfeeding earlier than planned due to lack of support or information, we see higher rates of respiratory infections, gastrointestinal issues, and increased healthcare utilization.”
The Canadian Paediatric Society estimates that increasing breastfeeding rates to meet World Health Organization recommendations could save the healthcare system approximately $3 billion annually through prevention of childhood illnesses and maternal health complications.
Back at the launch event, I watched a young mother named Maya struggle to position her newborn at her breast while simultaneously trying to follow along with the demonstration. Without missing a beat, Dr. Singh paused her presentation and knelt beside Maya, gently suggesting a position adjustment while a lactation consultant offered additional support.
This moment crystallized what makes NURTURE different—its development has been inseparable from the real, messy, lived experiences of mothers. The platform includes videos featuring real mothers from diverse backgrounds demonstrating techniques, sharing challenges, and offering encouragement.
“We know technology alone can’t replace human support,” acknowledged Dr. Singh. “This platform is designed to complement the healthcare system, not replace it. But we also recognize that many women, particularly in remote communities, don’t have access to lactation consultants or regular postpartum care.”
The Statistics Canada report “Breastfeeding Trends in Canada” reveals significant geographical disparities in breastfeeding support, with Northern Ontario communities having 40% fewer lactation consultants per capita than urban centers in Southern Ontario.
To address these gaps, NURTURE includes a telehealth component connecting mothers with lactation consultants through secure video calls. The platform also features community forums moderated by healthcare professionals to ensure information shared remains accurate.
The project has garnered attention from the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is considering adopting elements of the platform for national implementation. However, challenges remain, particularly around sustainable funding and ensuring the technology reaches those who need it most.
“We’re working with community health centers and Indigenous health authorities to implement NURTURE in ways that respect cultural practices and community wisdom around breastfeeding,” explained Dr. Singh. “This isn’t about imposing a single approach, but providing evidence-based information that mothers can integrate with their own values and traditions.”
As the event wound down, I spoke with Leah Williams, an Indigenous doula who serves First Nations communities in Northern Ontario. She expressed cautious optimism about the platform’s potential.
“Our communities have traditional knowledge about breastfeeding that’s been disrupted by colonization and residential schools,” she explained. “Tools like this can help reconnect younger mothers with this knowledge, especially when they include Indigenous perspectives and voices, which this one has made efforts to do.”
Walking back to my car under a sky threatening rain, I thought about how technology like NURTURE represents a uniquely Canadian approach to healthcare challenges—leveraging innovation while striving for inclusivity and equity.
The platform launches publicly next month, and its developers are already planning enhancements based on user feedback. Whether NURTURE fulfills its promise depends not just on its technological sophistication, but on whether it truly meets mothers where they are—in all their diversity, vulnerability, and strength.
For mothers like Sarah, such tools can’t come soon enough. “If this had existed when my daughter was born,” she said before leaving, baby asleep against her shoulder, “it would have made all the difference in the world.”
