Stephanie Gillespie

Job Title
RN, IBCLC

Department/Location
North Shore Community Health – Early Years Team

How long have you worked at VCH?
10 months,

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
I am a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) providing support for breastfeeding families on the North Shore and surrounding areas. We offer three breastfeeding clinics per week, each at a different location on the north shore to offer accessibility to our clients. We also organize community events, such as the annual Breastfeeding Challenge. This year, it will take place on Saturday, October 3 at 10 a.m. until 12 noon.

Check out our Facebook page: Breastfeeding Challenge – Vancouver Coastal Health.

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
It is an honour and privilege to work with families and learn from mothers, fathers and babies. Breastfeeding and human lactation is my passion and I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful community which supports families from all walks of life. My favourite part of my work is seeing a mother gain the confidence she needs to trust her instincts and trust her baby.

How does your work contribute to the VCH True North goals?
Supporting breastfeeding families contributes to the overall health of our communities as we know from the research that breast milk is the optimal nutrition for infants and is the gold standard established by the World Health Organization. In addition to life-long benefits for babies and toddlers, breastfeeding also provides health benefits to the mother. A large part of my role is providing families with evidence-based information regarding breastfeeding and human lactation, thus ensuring best care.

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
Having been born and raised on a small dairy farm in rural Ontario, I was introduced to the wonder and mystery of birth and lactation at a very young age. It would seem I was destined to land in this line of work!

Three things you always have in your fridge:
Butter, cheese and carrots.

Who or what inspires you?
The families and the women I work with on a daily basis inspire me. Motherhood is a journey and despite challenges we all face at one point or another, we are bonded by the unwavering desire to do the best we can for our children. I have been encouraged and challenged by mothers from all walks of life to keep pressing forward despite hard times and to stop and enjoy life’s simple pleasures, like fresh baby toes or that first smile.

Most healthy habit:
I try to be active on a daily basis, which typically means walking the trails with my children or playing with them outside.

Favourite vacation spot:
My family cottage in the Muskokas, Ontario.