Infants born with cleft lip, cleft palate, or cleft lip and palate have a distinct anatomical profile that can impact breastfeeding success. Most notably, difficulty separating oral and nasal cavities to generate adequate oral pressure. Feeding challenges associated with cleft lip and/or palate include insufficient milk transfer, slow growth, and prolonged feeding time, all of which can leave families feeling anxious and worried. 1 L Cerp (I, II, III, V, VI VII)
There are many reasons infants struggle to latch and feed well. Critically thinking through a case involves assessing all the variables that may be impacting feedings. This is no easy task when we must consider what is happening on the parent's side and the infant's side. How can we put all the pieces of a complex case together in order to be an effective lactation detective? This session is designed to help providers implement critical thinking skills in order to think outside the box when it comes to difficult cases. 1.5 L Cerp (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII)
Women who have insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) may struggle with their milk supply, despite good breastfeeding management. Some of these babies can present with dehydration in the neonatal period, hypernatremia or even death, and it is uncommon that mothers receive support with breastfeeding to achieve goals that benefit the dyad. It is of great importance to help with accurate and prompt diagnosis that benefits both mother and baby and support to choose to continue breastfeeding with breast/ chest supplementation if needed. 1 L Cerp (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII)
Hypoglycemia refers to a low blood or plasma glucose concentration and may reflect the imbalance between supply and utilization, and is the most common metabolic disturbance occurring in the neonatal period. It is frequent that healthcare professionals do not take actions that support breastfeeding mothers, leading frequently to early and unnecessary supplementation with artificial formulas, undermining breastfeeding. During this presentation, we will provide healthcare professionals with recent evidence base guidelines on neonatal hypoglycemia and the recommendations that may support the breast /chest feeding families. 1 L Cerp (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII)
Food allergy has been increasing in the past two decades, with Australia having the highest prevalence per capita worldwide. In our roles as IBCLCS and other health care professions it is therefore likely that we will encounter a dyad diagnosed with allergies, necessitating the need for an understanding of the various presentations.There are two types of food allergy: IgE and non-IgE, with either immediate or delayed reactions. FPIES (or Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome) is a subset of non-IgE food allergy and has been increasingly diagnosed in recent years. Transmission of food allergens across breastmilk to the infant has been acknowledged in literature, however there is conflicting information about whether maternal dietary modification is necessary in FPIES. This presentation will outline the history, aetiology, contemporary research and guidelines on FPIES in the breastfed infant. It will also include a case study of the presenter’s own child, who developed FPIES as a young infant. 0.75 L Cerp (I, III, V, VII)
Despite the known risks, routine labour interventions are very common. However, the risks associated with routine labour interventions are not limited to infant and maternal health. Interventions used during labour can often cause negative downstream challenges for breastfeeding initiation and continued lactation success. This lecture examines the most commonly used labour interventions and their potential negative consequences with regard to establishing and maintaining lactation. This discussion explores the latest research on many labour interventions such as induction of labour, maternal IV fluids, epidural anesthesia, instrumental delivery, and cesarean delivery (and others). The analysis will include the known physiological factors that can impede the establishment of breastfeeding in the critical early postpartum period and offer several strategies to minimize the negative impact on lactation. 1 L Cerp (I, II, III, IV, V, VI VII)
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been increasingly used in lactation in Germany, Austria and a few other countries. Lactation health professionals in hospitals and private practice value LLLT as an extremely effective treatment whenever accelerated wound healing, pain relief, reduction of inflammation and swelling is required. It is especially beneficial in accelerate the healing process of nipple trauma and mastitis. Gabi will share her experience with this effective treatment, explore indications and applications in lactation and present case studies. She will provide us with an insight into the therapeutic and physiological effects of LLLT and explore current research evidence. 1 L Cerp (III, II, IV, VII)
This presentation focuses on issues regarding low milk production among lactating individuals who exclusively pump. The session will cover reasons for insufficient breast development during pregnancy, medical complications that can impact secretory activation, and common reasons why people may have a loss of milk production. Interventions to improve milk production will be discussed. 1 L Cerp (I, II, III, IV, V, VI VII)
In this presentation, you will learn about weaning from nursing/pumping/ suppressing lactation and how this can affect the parent's emotional wellbeing and their ability to cope. You will also learn about ways to support parents and when to refer.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
1 L Cerp (I, II, III, IV, V, VI VII)
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is secreted into breast milk and is critical to both protecting against enteric pathogens and shaping the infant intestinal microbiota. The efficacy of breast milk-derived maternal IgA (BrmIgA) is dependent upon its specificity, however variability in the binding ability to the infant intestinal bacteria is not known. We demonstrated that a relative reduction in IgA binding to inflammatory intestinal bacteria in preterm infants is associated with an increased likelihood to develop Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), so binding of intestinal bacteria in infants may be important in some settings. Using a flow cytometric array, we analyzed the ability of BrmIgA against bacteria common to the infant microbiota and discovered substantial variability between all donors. Conversely, longitudinal analysis showed that the anti-bacterial reactivity of breast milk-derived antibodies was relatively stable through time, even between sequential infants, indicating that mammary gland IgA responses are durable. Together, our study demonstrates that the anti-bacterial BrmIgA reactivity displays inter-individual heterogeneity but intra-individual stability. These findings have important implications for how breast milk shapes the development of the preterm infant microbiota and protects against NEC. 1 L Cerp (I, II, III)
Nipple pain affects 95% of breastfeeding women and approx one third experience macroscopic trauma. Nipple pain is a common reason for breastfeeding cessation, and so early, aggressive assessment and management is important. Nipple candidiasis is commonly diagnosed clinically as a cause of nipple pain in the absence of macroscopic trauma. Treatment with topical (and often oral) antifungals is frequently started empirically without swab culture confirmation of the diagnosis. Nipple vasospasm has similar symptoms to those frequently diagnosed as nipple candidiasis and should be addressed in the assessment and treatment of nipple trauma. 1 L Cerp (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII)
Jen will share results from her study of Lactation Consultant practice, including barriers they encountered in their role, those that created disconnection. She will also introduce some discoveries about what assisted in promoting breastfeeding support.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
1 L Cerp (V, VII)
This presentation will explore what induced lactation is, circumstances where it may be needed and review several real case studies of induced lactation and their outcomes. Participants will come away with a deeper knowledge and understanding of inducing lactation, as well as how to better counsel and support families who choose this path. 1 L Cerp (I, II, IV, V, VI, VII)
From pregnancy, birth, to bringing baby home is often a vulnerable and impressionable period for women. Broader systems, such as cultural norms and hospital policies, may affect one’s birthing experience and the early parenting days. Comprehending what may lead to traumatic birth and its impact on breastfeeding, caregiving, and bonding is crucial to optimizing patient care. Deborah will discuss the results of her recent U.S. study which revealed how breastfeeding served as a psychological protective factor for new mothers after traumatic birth. 1 L Cerp (V, VI, VII)
With over 2000 feeds in the first year of life, it's easy to see how difficulties with feeding could impact the parental-infant relationship. During this talk we will explore some of the common challenges the dyad may experience, and how feeding impacts mental health - and vice versa. 1 L Cerp (I, IV, V, VII)
“The dynamic and intricate coordination between sucking, swallowing and breathing, superimposed on a background of the infant's behavioral state make infant feeding a complicated, multidimensional task” (Wolf & Glass, 1992). In addition, a foundation of physiologic, motor and state stability, is needed for successful feeding. A breakdown in any one of these components will negatively affect feeding. This presentation will examine the elements of successful feeding, with a particular focus on the importance of suck-swallow-breathe (SSB) coordination. Case studies will be used to illustrate how SSB can be disrupted due to underlying medical conditions such as cardiac disease or airway obstruction. 1 L Cerp (I, II, III)
The most significant influence on a mother’s breastfeeding decision is based on the father's attitude or perceived attitude. In this presentation, Ashley will present her research from her doctorate and post doc work. The objective of the evidence-based practice (EBP) research is to determine if fathers with newborns are provided with breastfeeding education, will their attitudes change favourably towards breastfeeding.
1 L Cerp (V, VII)
The aim of this presentation is to empower the clinician to provide breastfeeding support to women to achieve the WHO recommended breastfeeding targets. Following birth women require support to rest and recover and strategies to optimise breastfeeding outcomes. Strategies used within the EQUIP randomised control trial intervention which demonstrated improved breastfeeding rates compare to standard care currently on offer will be explained and demonstrated. 1 L Cerp (I, V, VI, VII)
When parents are not appropriately educated or prepared regarding the unique needs of their late preterm infant, or Early Bird, the situation often deteriorates for them by week one or two weeks after birth, resulting in a baby who’s not thriving and/or a parent who’s not thriving, plus all the emotions of “what am I doing wrong?” This can be avoided, and late preterm dyads can be better protected with an optimization plan so that lactating parents can meet their own infant feeding goals despite having given birth prematurely. The late preterm infant frequently has physical limitations which prevent them from feeding from the chest/breast effectively, which can also lead to problems with the maintenance of adequate milk production if parents are not properly informed about these potential risks. However, with the proper information about Techniques to use to support progress in feeding, knowledge about expected Timelines for progress in lactation with a late preterm infant, and suggestions for what to Teach the parents of a late preterm infants, clinical lactation care providers can improve their ability to facilitate the ability to sustain lactation in this population. 1.5 L Cerp (I, IIII, V, VI, VII)
Although the positive impact of breastfeeding on health outcomes for both mother and child has been established by scientific research, infant formula and baby food sales are skyrocketing. International initiatives and documents for the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding include the right of the child to be breastfed and that of the mother to breastfeed, yet breastfeeding rates worldwide are failing to meet targeted initiation, exclusivity and duration rates. Parents need to be able to make informed choices on breastfeeding or formula feeding based on unbiased scientific information. Aggressive marketing strategies especially the growing use of digital media have a huge impact on parental feeding decisions and have been shown in recent research to undermine breastfeeding rates. 1 E Cerp (I, VII)
The topic covers where dentistry and breastfeeding intersect; dental health while pregnant and breastfeeding for mother and infant.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
1 L Cerp (IBLCE Content Outline: I, II, III, IV, VII)
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
1 L Cerp (I, II, III, VI, VII)
The estrobolome is a collection of influential bacteria, fungi, and viruses (part of the microbiome) in the gut that impact estrogen release and hormonal function. This delicate balance of bacteria has a significant impact on estrogen creation. This influences the operation of the reproductive system, regulation of body fat, brain function, and cardiovascular and bone health. The estrobolome also plays a major role in the health and function of the mammary gland. As much as we know about the microbiome, not enough attention has been paid to the relationship of the estrobolome and lactation success. Gut dysbiosis is now recognized as playing a role in a baby’s food sensitivities and allergies, but it is now time to look at the microbiome’s impact on lactation itself and the the long-term health of the mammary gland regarding breast cancer. This presentation addresses what we know now about the estrobolome, how it functions, it’s relationship with reproductive organs, potential impacts on the mammary function, and how we can create positive change in the gut for optimal estrobolome performance. 1 L Cerp (IBLCE Content Outline: I, II, III, IV)
Fat people receive subpar medical care from deeply biased providers in all settings, including before, during, and after pregnancy.This course will teach the perinatal care provider how to care for their fat clients without causing harm. It will educate on the myths and the facts about fatness, both medically and socially. It will discuss the ways in which perinatal care providers typically fail their fat clients, and it will provide methods for changing practice to provide unbiased, respectful, and competent client care. 1.25 E Cerp (I, II, III, V, VII)
Latch pain has long been a significant reason for the premature cessation of breastfeeding. Globally, the percentage of women who experience nipple pain and damage upon discharge has remained largely reduced in the last 20 years. In this presentation, Avery Young will present an innovative, reflex-based approach to latching, based on her own observations working with infants, that has reduced nipple pain and damage in an overwhelming majority of the families she has supported, even when nipple damage is severe and has been persisting for months. 1 L Cerp (I, IIII, VI, VII)
Jen Hocking
Jen is a registered nurse and midwife who is course coordinator of and lecturer in the Bachelor of Midwifery program at the Australian Catholic University (Melbourne). Jen’s PhD was a focused ethnographic study examining the clinical practice of Lactation Consultants who provide support and care for breastfeeding women in Melbourne, Australia.
Laurel Wilson
Laurel is an author, international keynote speaker, and pregnancy and lactation specialist. She loves to blend today’s recent scientific findings with the mind/body/spirit wisdom. She owns MotherJourney, focusing on training perinatal professionals on integrative and holistic information regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Wilson is the co-author of two books - The Attachment Pregnancy and The Greatest Pregnancy Ever and contributing author to Round the Circle: Doulas Talk About Themselves. She served as the Executive Director of Lactation Programs for CAPPA for 16 years and now is on the Senior Advisor Board.
Gina Weissman
Dr Gina Weissman began her career as a dentist and is also an IBCLC (since 1999) and a registered nurse. An accomplished international lecturer with over 20 years of experience, she teaches courses in human lactation for both medical professionals and future lactation consultants. Dr. Weissman is the director and owner of HalavM Breastfeeding clinic and Lactation Consultant Education Center for professionals, where she offers breastfeeding consulting and tongue-tie release. She is the author of Mother’s Milk, a Video Guide to Breastfeeding. Dr Weissman is a Fellow member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and the president of the Israeli Association of Certified Lactation Consultants.
Katherine Ong
Katherine is a speech pathologist with many years of experience at the Royal Children's Hospital and the Royal Women's Hospital, working with infants & children with complex medical and neuro-developmental disorders. She has a particular interest in feeding refusal / oral aversion, and helping parents to understand their child's feeding difficulties. Katherine has had a long-standing interest in supporting pre-term and sick babies to breastfeed. She passed her IBCLC exam in 2020.
Gabi Eckereder
Gabi Eckereder is an IBCLC and a registered midwife. She is practising as a lactation consultant in her private practise Mumsmilk in Melbourne. Gabi has been using Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) successfully for more than 10 years where accelerated wound healing, including analgesic effect, anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous effect, is required eg. nipple trauma, mastitis.
Eliza Hannam
Dr Eliza Hannam is a Fellow of the Australian College of General Practitioners. Eliza has developed a focus on all things “Womens Health” including contraception, pregnancy planning, GP antenatal (pregnancy) shared care, postnatal care, women’s mental health and menopause. Eliza is passionate about providing holistic postnatal care. She is a Possums Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) accredited practitioner and an IBCLC. She also has a Dip. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Melody Jackson
Dr Melody Jackson is a GP and IBCLC and runs a private practice for parents and babies. She has a keen interest in women’s health, mental health, and antenatal and postnatal care. She completed a Dip. of Child Health and a Dip. of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (counselling). Melody is also currently studying a Postgraduate Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies. She is a Possums Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) accredited practitioner and an Adjunct Clinical Lecturer at University of Notre Dame, Sydney.
Alison Walsh
Dr Alison Walsh qualified as a medical doctor in 1988. She has been practicing as a general GP with interest in women’s health and food intolerance. She is now focusing on her favorite topic - all things mums, bubs and lactation! She has a Diploma of Obstetrics as well as qualifications as an Australian Breastfeeding Association Volunteer Breastfeeding Counselor (2001), IBCLC and Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC/Possums) Practitioner (2021).
Naomi Drew
Naomi is an experienced registered nurse and IBCLC, with a background of emergency and neonatal nursing. She certified as an IBCLC after experiencing the ups and downs of feeding her first two children, and when her third child experienced multiple food allergies, she knew she wanted to change careers to allergy and immunology nursing. She has been a registered nurse in a busy private allergy clinic for the past five years, caring for children and adults with allergic and dermatological conditions. She understands the challenges which accompany caring for a child with complex medical and lactation issues. Since 2014 Naomi has operated her private practice clinic Aspire Lactation, caring for families with home visits across Brisbane. After completing post-graduate studies in neonatology and allergy nursing, she is currently undertaking a Master of Public Health at James Cook University.
Melissa Cole
Melissa Cole is a board-certified lactation consultant, neonatal oral-motor assessment professional and clinical herbalist in private practice. Melissa is passionate about providing comprehensive, holistic lactation support and improving the level of clinical lactation skills for health professionals. She enjoys researching and writing, especially on topics such tongue tie and botanical medicine. Her bachelor’s degree is in maternal/child health and lactation and her master’s degree is in therapeutic herbalism. Before pursuing her current path, Melissa’s background was in education and cultural arts, which has served her well in her work as a lactation consultant and healthcare educator. She loves living, working and playing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her 3 children.
Kristin Cavuto
Kristin Cole Cavuto is a licensed clinical social worker and IBCLC in private practice in central NJ. Her practice specialties are low supply, parental and infant mental health, and the intersection of ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender in the care of the new family. They have spoken on various lactation, mental health, and equity topics for many regional, national, and international conferences and organizations. She serves as a legal advocate and expert witness for cases involving lactation and child welfare.
Anne Eglash
Dr Eglash is a clinical professor with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, in the Dept of Family and Community Medicine. She has been practicing breastfeeding and lactation medicine since 1994. She is a cofounder of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the medical director and cofounder of the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, and the medical director of the University of Wisconsin Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Clinic.
Jessica Boyce
Dr Jessica Boyce is a speech pathologist and lecturer in Melbourne, Australia. She has clinical expertise working with infants and children born with cleft lip and/or palate. Her research has led to several scientific publications in this area, including the AMB Guidelines for Breastfeeding Infants with Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, or Cleft Lip and Palate.
Mariana Colmenares Castano
Dr Colmenares specialises in paediatrics and breastfeeding medicine. She has a special interest in tongue-tie assessment and division, and has had the opportunity to work with many challenging cases. She is a founding member of the Mexican organization of IBCLC’s, Asociacion de Consultores Certificados en Lactancia Materna de Mexico, ACCLAM and is also secretary of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. She coordinates a 280 hour online breastfeeding course for health-care professionals.
Kelly Durbin
Kelly M. Durbin is an IBCLC, childbirth educator, author, and volunteer breastfeeding counselor. She has co-authored original breastfeeding research on various topics, including access to lactation care, community breastfeeding support, telelactation, and community vulnerability. Her new book, Protecting Your Potential for Breastfeeding became available in June 2023. Kelly is the Curriculum Development Coordinator for Childbirth International. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Dominique Gallo
Dominque lives in Roanoke, Virginia and has been helping mothers with lactation and birthing for the past 12 years. She is a strong believer in parent's right to choose and believes that parents are fully capable to make decisions for their families. A lifetime learner, she actively pursues continuing education to maintain her clinical skills and to stay current with the changes in evidence and practices. She dedicates most of her skills to those in marginalized communities including those in the black communities.
Deborah Losada
Dr Deborah Losada has been a psychotherapist specializing in perinatal and infant mental health in the United States since 2001. She is a certified lactation counsellor and endorsed as an infant family reflective supervisor by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health. Her passion for supporting families with young children led her to complete her PhD in infant and early childhood development with an emphasis in infant mental health at Fielding Graduate University (Santa Barbara, California).
Susanna Scurry
Susanna Scurry is a midwife and IBCLC. In 2021 Susanna completed a Masters in Midwifery Research project at the University of Technology in Sydney. In 2022, Susanna took part in a randomised control trial as the intervention IBCLC for new mothers in a continuity of care model of lactation support. Susanna is currently writing a book entitled Patriarchy, Misogyny and Breastfeeding.
Christine Staricka
Christine Staricka is an IBCLC and trained childbirth educator with over 22 years of lactation experience in the hospital and the community. She is the host of Evolve Lactation Community, a membership and coaching program for aspiring and new lactation consultants. Christine also hosts Evolve Lactation Podcast and writes a blog on Substack called Evolve Lactation. She is the facilitator of the first licensed Baby Café to open in California.
Juanita Jauer Steichen
A Canadian living in France for the past 30 years, Juanita is a LLL and IBCLC. She provided breastfeeding and relactation support in refugee camps in Greece. She is a passionate advocate of the International Code on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and has spoken internationally on the topic. She is currently on the board of the AFCL (French Lactation Consultants Association) and a member of ELACTA (European Lactation Consultants Alliance) and IBFAN.
L. Avery Young
Avery Young is a passionate enthusiast about empowered feeding and is on a mission to help make feeding feel better. Over the last few years, she has been observing, studying and experimenting with engaging the reflexes that infants use when feeding, to help make the latching progress work better. This work has transformed her practice and her ability to make profound changes in the families she supports. She has a master's degree in Biology, a Master's Degree in Science Education and has been supporting feeding families for almost a decade.
Tim Hand
Dr Hand is associate professor of pediatrics and immunology and the director of the Gnotobiotic Animal core facility at the University of Pittsburgh. Currently, he directs the Immunity to Bacterial Colonization Lab at UPMC Children’s Hospital. He has published over 35 research articles and scholarly reviews and was named the inaugural ‘Emerging Leader’ by the Society for Mucosal Immunology in 2022.
Sophie Mace
Dr Sophie Mace is a GP/LC who specialises in caring for p?pi and their wh?nau throughout pregnancy and the early years of life. Alongside her medical qualifications, she is an IBCLC and is NDC accredited through the Possum’s Clinic (Aus) and has comprehensive training in maternal and infant mental health. She also has a special interest in neurodevelopmental conditions, especially ADHD in both children and their parents.
Ashley Robinson
Dr Robinson has been in private practice as an IBCLC for three years. She finished her training in 2020 while simultaneously completing her Doctorate of Public Health, concentrating on epidemiology and lactation. She is also a certified labor doula through the Childbirth and Postpartum Association (2022), a certified lactation educator through the Childbirth and Postpartum Association (2021), and an internationally certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (2019). In her private practice, she primarily focuses on lactation care for infants, specializing in tethered oral ties.