Lactation Support for New Parents
Breast pumps, nipple care, compounded APNO, and caring counselling through the first weeks — and every week after.
Lactation Support at the Counter
From compounds we make in-store to pumps, nipple care, and new-parent essentials. Prescription items are dispensed with counselling, as required by law in all Manitoba pharmacies.
APNO Compound
All Purpose Nipple Ointment prepared in-store from a prescription. Treats cracked, painful, or infected nipples — often the difference between continuing and giving up. Available by prescription only.
Breast Pumps & Accessories
Manual single and double-electric pumps available for purchase; hospital-grade pumps available for rent. Replacement flanges, valves, tubing, and milk storage bags — we stock the common brands and can order the rest.
Nipple Care
Lanolin creams, hydrogel pads, silver cups, nipple shields, and breast shells. We help you work out which one fits your situation — no single product works for everyone.
Prescription Support
Lactation-support prescriptions are dispensed with counselling, including instructions for use, side effects to watch for, and how long to stay on them. Available by prescription only.
New-Parent Essentials
Vitamin D drops for baby, prenatal vitamins for the nursing parent, gripe water, gas drops, and the small things that get forgotten in the hospital bag. We can pull a starter bundle for you.
Counselling & Referral
Questions about latch, supply, pain, or weaning? We answer what we can at the counter and refer you to an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant or the WRHA breastfeeding clinic when a hands-on assessment is needed.
About APNO
APNO — All Purpose Nipple Ointment — is a compounded formulation developed by Canadian pediatrician Dr. Jack Newman, also made in additional variations as requested by your doctor.
What it is
A thin topical ointment combining a low-dose steroid, an antifungal, and an antibiotic in a water-miscible base. Applied in a small amount after every feed. The three ingredients address the three things that usually go wrong at the same time on cracked nipples — inflammation, yeast, and surface bacteria.
How to get it
Available by prescription only. Your doctor, midwife, or nurse practitioner can prescribe it — fax or eRx the prescription to us and we compound it in-store. Turnaround is usually same-day or next-day depending on when the prescription arrives.
APNO is one of several topical options — some new parents do well with lanolin or hydrogel pads alone, and latch correction is always the first step. We'll help you think through what's right for your situation. See Compounding for how we prepare it.
What New Parents Call Us About
The four things we hear most often in the first six weeks — and what usually helps. None of this replaces seeing your doctor or a lactation consultant.
Cracked or Painful Nipples
Check latch with a lactation consultant or breastfeeding clinic first — most pain is a latch issue. Lanolin, hydrogel pads, or silver cups help between feeds. If skin breaks down or becomes infected, a compounded APNO ointment from a prescription can make a real difference.
Thrush (Candida)
Shooting pain deep in the breast or white patches in baby's mouth can suggest thrush — both of you may need treatment. See your doctor. We dispense the prescribed antifungals and counsel on correct use.
Low Milk Supply Concerns
Most cases are about latch, frequency, and time — not actual low supply. Start with a lactation consultant. If a prescription intervention is recommended, we dispense and counsel, available by prescription only.
Mastitis
A firm, painful, red area on the breast with fever is mastitis and needs medical attention — usually antibiotics. Call your doctor or go to urgent care. Keep feeding or pumping through it. We dispense the prescribed course and counsel on use.
What's Worth Knowing
Four things we wish every new parent heard before they left the hospital. Questions? Come in or call us.
Pain Usually Means Latch
Most breastfeeding pain traces back to how the baby is latching. Before buying another cream, get a latch check — local clinics and IBCLCs usually see you within days, often at no cost through Manitoba Health.
Vitamin D for Baby
Health Canada recommends 400 IU of vitamin D daily for all breastfed babies, starting within the first few days of life. We stock drops — pharmacist will walk you through dosing.
Pumping Takes Practice
Flange size matters more than most parents realize — wrong size means discomfort and poor output. We can help you work out your size and walk through how to set up a pump the first time.
When to Call Your Doctor
Fever and a hot, painful, red area on the breast can mean mastitis — call your doctor the same day. Shooting deep-breast pain plus white patches in baby's mouth can mean thrush. Don't push through serious pain alone.
General information only. Always follow the advice of your own care team and lactation consultant.
A better way to stay connected
- Request prescription refills from your phone
- Follow pickup or delivery updates
- Set reminders for ongoing medications
- Send pharmacy questions in one place
Accredited Lactation Information
Canadian sources for parents — published by national organizations and government health bodies.
La Leche League Canada
Free peer support and resources in English and French. Local meetings, phone support, online articles.
ILCA — Find an IBCLC
International Lactation Consultant Association member directory. Find a board-certified lactation consultant in Winnipeg.
Breastfeeding Committee for Canada
National breastfeeding guidance, Baby-Friendly hospital standards, and evidence-based parent resources.
Healthy Child Manitoba
Provincial programs for parents and young children, including public health nurse contacts and community supports.
New-parent questions welcome here
Call us, email us, or drop by. We're a bilingual pharmacy and happy to have the conversation in English or French.