Clinical Director Dr Michael Forrester, MD, PHD, FRCPC, FAAP
About Michael
“To cure, sometimes. To relieve, often. To comfort, always.”
Welcome to the Ontario Breastfeeding Clinic! Thank you for your interest in our service. The first weeks and months of an infant’s life are some of the most maddening and difficult moments – but also the most tender and joyous – that a family can experience. I truly hope that our experienced team can bring comfort, support, and understanding to your family on your baby-feeding journey.
My family — my wife, Lauren, and our 2 beautiful (also hilarious) children, Ainsley & Philippa — live in Burlington. Little by little, I am learning to slow down and enjoy the quiet moments of life.
(Wait, are there quiet moments in life with young children around?)
I have taken a rather atypical path to a career in breastfeeding medicine. I completed a BSc in Molecular Genetics at University of Toronto (2007), a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology at Dalhousie University (2012), an MD at McMaster University (2015), and finally a Paediatrics residency at Memorial University of Newfoundland (2019).
In the early years, I was inspired to work both as a doctor and a researcher – in memory of my sister, Liane. But ultimately, I felt greater joy and sense of purpose sitting with families in the clinic, rather than sitting with test tubes at the lab bench.
My passion for breastfeeding medicine, in particular, comes from a deep desire to advocate for more inclusive healthcare, with a focus on well-being and illness prevention. To put it quite simply, I – and our entire team – believe that your publicly-funded healthcare system should include timely access to high-quality, evidence-informed breastfeeding support.
We believe that when a family gains confidence in the feeding of their infant during those first weeks and months, it makes a world of difference. Through the Ontario Breastfeeding Clinic, we offer that world of difference, in which that confidence can be accessible to all families. In our world, access to baby-feeding support is a fundamental right.
We would be honoured to support you.