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Philosophy

The feeding of babies provides opportunities to build relationships, shape social constructs, support respectful, individual development and help to shape a person’s relationship with food for life. My philosophy is to kindly and with basic common sense, apply evidence-based information and practical strategies to help parents and health workers to achieve good outcomes.

Philosophy

The feeding of babies provides opportunities to build relationships, shape social constructs, support respectful, individual development and help to shape a person’s relationship with food for life. My philosophy is to kindly and with basic common sense, apply evidence-based information and practical strategies to help parents and health workers to achieve good outcomes.

Kathy O'Grady

Experienced and dedicated Registered Nurse with excellent communication skills and 45 years experience in maternal/child care and international global health program implementation.

My goals are to to utilize my skills and experience to help women to breastfeed successfully and to improve infant feeding practices and health outcomes in the community through the promotion of the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative and other global efforts. I also contribute to the exchange and transfer of knowledge and best practices to health care workers in the field of human lactation and infant feeding.

I respect the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent WHA Resolutions and I have no conflicts of interest to declare.

I very much enjoyed the session and the information shared. Always a pleasure to hear you speak and to see the passion you have for supporting mom and babies.

Each time I take the course I learn something new. Thank you so much for coming back and giving us the refresher courses.
Class ParticipantsLevel 2 2025
Kathy is always easy to listen to and backs everything up with the research. I love training with Kathy.

Wonderful session and so grateful to learn from you and your experience. Great mix of slides, discussion, evidence-based resources, and videos. We did not get to touch on supporting partially breastfed infants and parents but look forward to reviewing that info when shared. Thank you!
Class ParticipantsLevel 2 2025
Everytime I attend one of your sessions, I always learn something new. The new information on mastitis was extremely timely as was the information about moringa! Can't wait for our next session!

Excellent information on breastfeeding - especially on lactose overload.

Thank you for your presentation. I always enjoy listening to your presentations. I appreciate your knowledge and willingness to share with healthcare professionals.
Class ParticipantsLevel 2 2025
Excellent resources and videos to support the various topics discussed. You helped back up some things that I have been unsure of before and also learned new things.

Wonderful and insightful refresher. Every time I listen to Kathy it reinforces the importance of these messages and I always come away with a new or innovative way to educate and support clients and provide these messages. Thank you so much!

Phenomenal presenter. Such a wealth of knowledge presented in such an accessible manner.
Class ParticipantsLevel 2 2025
Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience Kathy. You are always so inspirational!

This was my first breastfeeding education outside of my BSN program. It is very helpful and informative and will help me in providing better breastfeeding health teachings to patients attending the breastfeeding clinic.
Class ParticipantsLevel 2 2025
Thank you for hosting another fantastic presentation. I learned so much from you about breastfeeding last year and now about formula feeding to help in my work. I only started one year ago, and your training has been critical with parents - there have been many successes with the interventions.
AmySt. Thomas, Ontario, 2025
I loved the session today. I wish we had more time. Is it possible to have more of this presentation annually?
Registered DieticianOakville, Ontario, 2025
Very detailed and well explained reasons behind methods. Variety of teachings (video, tangible items, discussion etc.).
Level 1 Course ParticipantVarious Courses (2014-2025)
I received countless comments on what an excellent speaker she is and how knowledgeable she is. Her relaxed manner and common sense approach made the 3 days fly by. I hope our paths will cross again sometime.
Nurse EducatorDryden, Ontario, 2008
Very informative, lots of great research that explains reasoning behind breastfeeding support & intervention.
Level 1 Course ParticipantVarious Courses (2014-2025)
The best parts of the course: the knowledge, skill and approach of the facilitator. The practical information provided and the use of personal stories along with the real life examples was also appreciated. The evidenced based nature of the information along with a variety of teaching methods used was noted. Lastly, the course was credited with changing some respondent's personal and professional perspective, as well as, increasing participant's confidence.
Level 1 Course ParticipantVarious Courses (2014-2025)
Very informative, practical information that will be extremely helpful working with moms & babies. Validated tips I've already been giving. Gives me information to provide moms to help support.
Level 1 Course ParticipantVarious Courses (2014-2025)
The education that I can now offer new & expecting parents will make a huge difference in their breastfeeding experience.
Level 1 Course ParticipantVarious Courses (2014-2025)
Excellent information. Knowledgeable instructor. Stories/experiences from moms.
Level 1 Course ParticipantVarious Courses (2014-2025)

Training accomplishments:

  • 1,000+ courses taught covering 2 continents in 10 Canadian provinces/territories and 2 African countries to 1,000’s of health care professionals from all disciplines of health care systems
  • Developed and facilitated breastfeeding peer support courses for traditional birth attendants and mother to mother support groups
  • Consulted and co-developed resources for Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Key positions:

  • Project Co-director Baby Friendly Initiative Quality Improvement Collaborative Project & Coach Mentor Program (Breastfeeding Committee for Canada 2021-2025)

  • Canadian delegate to the international BFHI Network of industrialized countries and member of the board of directors, Breastfeeding Committee for Canada

  • Past Chair for the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC)
  • Past Chair of the BCC Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Assessment Committee
  • Lactation consultant at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto (2004-2024)

Speaking engagements and representation:

  • Presented and participated at international professional conferences and global congresses in Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Netherlands and France.
  • Presented for professional conferences across Canada
  • Presented virtually about breastfeeding, human lactation and the Baby Friendly Initiative for the global community

I am delighted to be able to share my journey with you. Please enjoy viewing my memory lane and feel free to contact me with any inspirational stories of your own that you would like to share.

The next "Making a Difference" course begins on April 24th in...

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