Despite the complexity of early parenting, thoughtful and well-structured education can make breastfeeding more accessible and less stressful. It is not just what we teach, but how we teach it. Many early breastfeeding challenges can be prevented or resolved through effective education. With the right guidance, common issues such as nipple pain and trauma, delayed onset of milk production, early introduction of top-ups, and increased perinatal anxiety can often be avoided. However, teaching in the early days of parenthood is not without its challenges. Mothers are frequently overwhelmed, fatigued, and processing a great deal of new information. This makes it essential to deliver education in a way that is simple, clear, and memorable. Practical strategies—such as using concise language, incorporating rhyming phrases, providing physical demonstrations, maintaining a kind and supportive tone, and encouraging reflection—can help families better understand and retain key concepts. Importantly, effective teaching does not require hands-on contact; demonstrating techniques without touching the parent or baby can empower mothers while respecting their comfort and autonomy. Early intervention, combined with clear and supportive instruction, can significantly reduce common breastfeeding difficulties and build parental confidence.
Refusal of the breast is a highly stressful situation for infants, mothers and anyone who is supporting them. It has been associated with anxiety and even depression in the new mother. In this talk we will analyse causes of breast refusal – physical, emotional and relational – from an ecosystemic perspective, that is, taking into account not only what is happening at the breast but also what is happening around the dyad. We will also discuss ways to address breast refusal and support the dyad in a regulating way.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
This talk reflects on the mental health and wellbeing of those working in the field of lactation supporting breastfeeding mothers and families. It is based on research with over 700 lactation consultants, healthcare professionals, breastfeeding counsellors and breastfeeding peer supporters exploring their wellbeing, feelings of joy and reward, and pressures of the role. This talk will explore the reasons why the role can feel so challenging including a lack of investment in breastfeeding support, financial pressures, and conflict with those who do not think that breastfeeding is important. At the heart of this issue is the high level of empathy many in lactation support have, often driven by their own difficult feeding experiences and a need to ensure that other mothers in the future are supported. We will discuss the many ‘reasons to continue’ alongside strategies for self-care and protection. Although this talk does tackle the challenges faced by those working in the field is very motivational, reflecting on the stressors but also identifying the incredible sense of purpose and reward the role can bring.
Post partum thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that can potentially affect anywhere from 5-10% of new parents (Peng & Pearce, 2022). When considering primary low milk supply, we must consider hormonal disorders such as thyroid disorders. Primary low milk supply can affect an estimated 1–5% of breastfeeding parents (Whelan et al., 2025). Significant neuroendocrine changes occur during the postpartum period to initiate and sustain lactation. These changes involve key hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin, which are regulated through negative feedback mechanisms within the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA). Disruptions to the HPA, such as elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels greater than 10 mU/L—indicative of a hypothyroid state—can interfere with these regulatory pathways, negatively impacting milk production and the ability to breastfeed effectively (Lindberg, 2019). Learning more about thyroid disorder and how it might impact milk supply is an important role for the lactation consultant. Participants will have a better understanding of why thyroid disorder may lead to decreased milk supply, and how to support the breastfeeding parent who is diagnosed with thyroid disorder.
Breastfeeding is a complex system, and persistent breastfeeding difficulties require lactation consultants and breastfeeding support professionals to move beyond the assessment of infant oral structures or latch. Body-Led Breastfeeding is both a framework for assessment and a set of specific tools designed to build on existing clinical skills to observe, define, and address the forces behind suck dysfunction. This approach incorporates suck patterning at the breast and the infants’ body’s role in feeding, from head to toes. In this presentation, participants will be introduced to the Infant Suck Strength Exam (ISSE) as a practical, manual at-breast assessment technique for in-depth understanding of oral function during breastfeeding. We will learn to decode the meaning of infant’s physical posture at the breast, and how the infant might be using facial muscles, shoulders, ribs, hips, or even legs and feet to provide stability when they are not using efficient oral dynamics. Techniques will focus on isolating the work of the tongue and downregulating the body to ensure that the breastfeeding relationship is resilient and flexible.
This presentation seeks to raise awareness of the lack of evidence regarding reasonable adjustments that may be required to adequately support breastfeeding mothers with individual needs and specific physical challenges. Three different examples / case studies will be considered: Breastfeeding support for women with spinal cord injury; Breastfeeding support for woman who are Deaf; Breastfeeding support for women with neurodiversity, specifically ADHD. The diversity and variation in breastfeeding support needs experienced by mother/baby dyads and families within each of these three case studies aims to illustrate some limitations and barriers in current institutional approaches to breastfeeding support. This encompasses not only direct care; it includes education, initiation of breastfeeding, and available supports for sustained breastfeeding success in local communities. Navigating system barriers to develop appropriate adjustments in support for mothers with individual needs offers a pro-active strength-based approach to care. The over-arching aim is to situate the individual mother at the heart of care enabling co-produced interventions that deliver organised support to enhance maternal and infant healthcare outcomes through sustained breastfeeding practice.
Families facing challenges with slow infant weight gain and/or low milk production will often be advised to ‘triple feed’, i.e. have the baby feed at the breast, then express by hand or with a pump and then top the baby up with expressed breastmilk or formula. Despite the widespread use of this type of feeding plan, evidence to support its use is scant, and negative consequences from it such as exhaustion, guilt and parental overwhelm are common. So does triple feeding actually work? Is it an effective strategy to improve breastfeeding outcomes? In this presentation, we will look critically at the process of triple feeding and how this may affect the families who utilise it. Alternative strategies will be examined, and options for increasing milk production through other means will be explored.
New parents are increasingly opting for high-tech gear to aid in their parenting responsibilities. These high-tech tools and gadgets appear to offer convenience, the appearance of safety, or simply peace of mind, but the overuse and misuse of high-tech gear can come with a cost, especially for breastfeeding, lactation, and the parent-child connection. This presentation explores the many ways that high-tech parenting gear like smart bassinets, infant tracking apps, passive suction breast pumps, and other tools are slowly reshaping the early postpartum period and influencing parenting behaviors. We will discuss the unintended consequences of using high-tech tools, and the outcomes for skin-to-skin, milk production, infant feeding cue recognition, perception of milk supply, as well as the undermining of parental skills and confidence. This presentation will highlight ways to think critically about tech-based tools, outline strategies to help families evaluate their use of high-tech tools, and promote strategies to protect human-centered parenting and breastfeeding skills.
Breast/Chest feeding babies with baby teeth can be challenging for both baby and parent. While occurrence of natal and neonatal teeth is low, it is important to expand our knowledge in how to support parents with these challenges. In this presentation we will discuss the prevalence of natal and neonatal teeth, management of breastfeeding, risks associated with the presence of natal teeth, possible outcomes for parents and babies, and the implications on breast/chest feeding. We will present a real case of parents’ hardships of feeding a baby with natal teeth. We will explore the obstacles associated with the presence of teeth straight after birth and also later on once baby teeth erupt naturally. We will discuss the impact of mother’s knowledge regarding oral hygiene and caries prevention. Supporting parents in a kind and compassionate way can ease the sometimes demanding time of feeding a baby with teeth. With the right support, parents can often continue to enjoy their feeding journeys and protect breastfeeding. This presentation will equipe you with ways to support parents in these situations.
Meghan shares her experience with breastfeeding a baby with laryngomalacia, the challenges she faced and the adjustments made to help ensure a positive and successful breastfeeding journey.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
Sensory food aversion, once thought to be primarily psychogenic, is now recognized as a legitimate neurosensory condition. It is a genetic hyper-reactivity of the taste and smell systems. Affecting approximately 25% of children with typical development and up to 80% of those with multiple disabilities, this syndrome manifests as a spectrum -from mild disgust to total food refusal - and is frequently misdiagnosed as anorexia. Emerging research shows that this aversion may be rooted in the hyper-excitability of chemo- and mechanoreceptors, leading to exaggerated responses to non-nociceptive oral stimuli. Although increasingly acknowledged in children with neurological conditions, sensory dysorality remains underdiagnosed in otherwise typically developing infants. Breastfeeding, often overlooked in this context, may offer early sensory exposures that promote tolerance and reduce oral hypersensitivity. Through the transmission of varied flavours in breastmilk, infants may undergo natural, repeated desensitization to diverse taste profiles. This presentation explores the hypothesis that breastfeeding can serve not only as nutrition, but also as an early intervention strategy for sensory-based feeding disorders. Drawing on clinical experience and current neuroscience, this presentation will examine how breastfeeding might modulate oral aversion, support neurological adaptation, and provide therapeutic value for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children.
The mammary gland is a unique organ that undergoes most of its development after birth, particularly during puberty and pregnancy. During pregnancy, it acquires the capacity to produce and secrete large quantities of milk, supplying essential nutrients and immune protection to the newborn. The processes underlying milk synthesis and secretion are tightly regulated, as the composition, volume, and timing must be precisely aligned with the specific needs of each mother–infant pair during this critical stage of development. This lecture will explore the developmental processes that enable the mammary gland to transition into a lactating state, examine the composition and secretion of breast milk, and compare mammary gland structure and function across human and other mammalian species to highlight the remarkable capabilities of this specialised tissue.
This presentation will explore global research on family and partner support in tandem breastfeeding, drawing on large-scale cross-sectional content analyses. While tandem breastfeeding is biologically normative, it remains widely misunderstood and often socially contested. Findings highlight that supportive responses are typically characterised by normalisation, emotional encouragement, and practical help, whereas unsupportive behaviours frequently include pressure to wean, discomfort with extended breastfeeding, and ongoing misinformation. Partner support emerges as particularly influential, functioning as both a key enabler and, at times, a barrier to continuation. This presentation will translate evidence into practice, examining how family dynamics shape breastfeeding experiences. The aim is to develop strategies to address stigma, effectively engage partners and families, and provide informed, inclusive support for those undertaking tandem breastfeeding.
Lactation is the expected outcome after a pregnancy, but that process is often interrupted for a variety of reasons such as pregnancy loss, fetal demise, or neonatal death as well as the introduction of artificial breastmilk substitutes and maternal/ infant separation due to hospitalization, adoption or social services removal. This presentation is an exploration of how to support lactating persons through the physical, hormonal & mental changes accompanying pregnancy and infant loss.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
Anaesthesia in the breastfeeding patient causes controversies often because of concerns from lack of understanding of the pharmacokinetics of drugs and the harm to lactation that interrupting breastfeeding can bring. Our new guideline (2025) was compiled by a working group of anaesthetists, pharmacists and breastfeeding experts to provide an evidence based approach for all patients undergoing surgery or sedation during the lactation period.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
Insufficient milk supply is the most commonly reported reason for early breastfeeding cessation, yet the prevalence and causes of primary low milk supply remain poorly understood. Breast hypoplasia, often used interchangeably with insufficient glandular tissue, has been proposed as one potential cause; however, evidence is limited and largely based on case reports rather than population‑based studies. This presentation summarises a body of PhD research examining the role of breast hypoplasia in low milk production, including its prevalence, associated risk factors, breastfeeding outcomes, measurement reliability, and women’s lived experiences. Multiple study designs were employed, including systematic reviews, a reliability study of proposed hypoplasia markers, an international online survey of women self‑reporting low milk supply, and qualitative analysis of women’s narrative accounts. Findings demonstrate that the prevalence of breast hypoplasia cannot currently be estimated due to a lack of suitable studies, and evidence linking hypoplasia with breastfeeding outcomes is sparse but suggests early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding is common. Among women reporting low milk supply, high proportions reported proposed markers of breast hypoplasia, with high BMI during pubertal years associated with atypical breast type and lack of pregnancy breast growth. Intra‑mammary width measurement showed excellent reliability. Qualitative findings highlight significant emotional distress, including grief, guilt, and frustration, alongside extensive efforts to increase milk supply. The findings underscore the need for improved research, sensitive clinical communication, and psychosocially informed care for women experiencing low milk supply.
This presentation examines how societal expectations about infant sleep often conflict with what infants (and their parents) biologically need. Drawing on developmental psychology, anthropology, and lactation research, the talk explores how infant sleep is shaped by culture, caregiver beliefs, and parent–infant proximity. By offering a broader lens for understanding why frequent night waking and close physical contact are normal features of early development, this session equips health professionals with practical tools to counsel families using realistic expectations that support milk production, infant regulation, and maternal wellbeing.
Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful lactation support, enabling professionals to build trust, provide clear guidance, and empower families in their infant feeding journey. This session explores a comprehensive approach to fostering meaningful connections with clients while delivering evidence-based care. Participants will learn how to adapt their communication to different learning styles, ensuring that lactation education is accessible and effective for diverse audiences. We will examine key techniques such as active listening, motivational interviewing, and nonverbal communication, which enhance trust and engagement. The session will also cover health literacy principles, teaching participants how to simplify complex lactation concepts using plain language, visuals, and teach-back methods. Special attention will be given to trauma-informed communication, recognizing how past experiences may impact a parent’s breastfeeding journey and how to provide sensitive, supportive guidance.
Having an unsettled baby can create significant distress within the family. Parents often seek support from health professionals, only to be reassured that excessive crying is “normal” and something the baby will eventually outgrow. This can leave families feeling helpless in understanding and responding to their baby’s needs. Babies who cry excessively are frequently labelled as having “colic” — a term often used to describe persistent crying without a clear cause. But what if there is a reason? In this presentation, Jenny explores current understandings and approaches to colic, including possible contributing factors such as cow’s milk protein intolerance, underlying medical conditions, feeding challenges and musculoskeletal tension related to pregnancy or birth. She then shines a spotlight on the often culturally overlooked possibility that babies may be expressing unresolved emotional experiences from early life. Drawing on clinical experience and emerging perspectives in infant care, this session invites practitioners to consider a more holistic understanding of unsettled babies, and how compassion, empathy, and attuned support can foster greater calm, connection, and wellbeing for both baby and family.
Feeding an infant is one of the earliest and most intimate acts of caregiving, yet for families of babies born with a cleft lip and/or palate, it can also be one of the most challenging. This presentation explores the anatomical and physiological differences associated with cleft lip and/or palate and examines how these variations impact an infant's ability to create adequate oral seal, generate negative intraoral pressure, and coordinate the suck-swallow-breathe cycle. Integrating current research with clinical practice, the latest evidence will be translated into practical, best-practice guidance for practitioners working in this area. Strategies to support both bottle feeding and breastfeeding (where possible) are considered, including specialist equipment, positioning, and pacing techniques. The emotional landscape for caregivers is also examined, alongside how clinicians can provide compassionate, family-centred support from the earliest days. By understanding the unique feeding needs of these infants, practitioners are better equipped to help every family find their own path to a safe, nurturing, and positive feeding experience.
This presentation will introduce the benefits of breastfeeding beyond 6 months of age. Paediatricians and other health care professionals should have an awareness of problems that mothers may present with their child that can be easily resolved with a good understanding of breastfeeding. Challenges that face children with complex organic disease will be introduced. Barriers that arise for the hospitalised infant will be discussed.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for women, with myocardial infarction rates increasing in women at middle age in contrast to a decrease in men. Despite this, women under 40 years of age are overlooked for primary cardiovascular care. Greater consideration of female specific risk factors is required to ensure adequate prevention of cardiac events in this group. Pregnancy is a unique period of significant cardiometabolic change. The development of maternal pregnancy complications - such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus and spontaneous preterm delivery – is an established risk factor for type II diabetes mellitus, and premature coronary artery disease. The antenatal and postpartum period are considered critical windows of opportunity to identify at-risk individuals and implement optimised prevention to improve health outcomes in women. This presentation will focus on the role of breastfeeding on improving cardiovascular health following an adverse pregnancy complication, current literature gaps and the role of lactation specialists in supporting this high-risk group.
This presentation will instruct participants on the health, developmental and oral structural shaping benefits that breastfeeding can have on babies with special needs. Through lecture and video presentations of complicated breastfeeding cases, participants will better understand their vital role in understanding breastfeeding and educating families on the importance and impact of early feeding choices for babies with feeding challenges. The importance of a collaborative approach with feeding therapists and a medical team will also be addressed. Populations discussed may include: babies with Down syndrome, babies with medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, babies with dysphagia and babies with feeding aversion. Interventional techniques, such as use of “bridge” feeding devices, weighted feeds and the importance of timely intervention and preservation of milk supply will be reviewed. Participants will be instructed on the impact of their role as facilitator and collaborator in assisting medically complex babies in transitioning to the breast and/or receiving maternal milk.
Cell-based human milk products are being developed but who makes decisions about their safety, suitability, marketing, ethics and effects on food security (FRSC 2024)? These products also challenge current regulatory frameworks for infant feeding and weaken policies to enable breastfeeding. This talk presents an overview of cell-based human milk products and the regulatory state of play in Australia and internationally -at a time when Australia’s regulation of commercial milk formulas and baby foods are facing critical reforms. A preliminary analysis of policy documents and commentary regarding cell-based human milk products raises concerns about their limited composition and immunological protection and potential claims that they are near identical to breastmilk. While regulators have flagged the classification of cell-based human milks as breastmilk substitutes to restrict their marketing, policy frameworks focus on products and ignore their potential to displace the functional value of breastfeeding, including oromotor development and the two-way immunological communication between the breastfeeding dyad. This disruption of breastfeeding systems extends to the political economic level, through ownership and research of cell-based human milk linked to the dairy and commercial milk formula industries, which risk displacing resources from breastfeeding. Rather than a piecemeal and incremental approach to infant feeding policy focused on products, cell-based human milk products prompt a radical rethinking of the regulation and governance needed to protect breastfeeding and give both women and their babies the main voice in how “their” milk and mammary tissue is used.
Ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, has been described in medical literature for centuries, with early interventions ranging from midwife-performed releases to modern surgical techniques. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in both the diagnosis and treatment of tongue-tie, particularly in the context of breastfeeding challenges. This presentation critically examines the evolution of tongue-tie management and synthesizes the most current evidence to guide clinical decision-making. Margaret will begin with a historical overview of tongue-tie identification and treatment, highlighting how shifts in infant feeding practices and clinical priorities have shaped current approaches. The presentation then explores the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of frenotomy in improving breastfeeding outcomes, including maternal pain and infant milk transfer, while addressing ongoing debates regarding overdiagnosis and appropriate patient selection. A detailed comparison of surgical techniques will follow, including traditional scissor frenotomy and laser-assisted procedures. While scissor clipping remains the most common and historically established method, the use of laser has increased significantly despite limited high-quality evidence demonstrating superiority. Current literature suggests that both approaches are generally safe and effective, with some studies noting differences in perioperative outcomes such as bleeding, pain, and healing, but no clear consensus on long-term functional outcomes. The presentation will also address post-procedural care, including commonly recommended stretching exercises and adjunct therapies. Notably, evidence supporting routine aftercare interventions remains limited, and some emerging perspectives suggest potential risks such as delayed healing or feeding aversion. Recurrence and reattachment rates will be discussed, along with the variability in reported outcomes. Finally, Margaret will review short- and long-term outcomes associated with tongue-tie release, including breastfeeding success, speech development, and functional improvements. Emphasis will be placed on the heterogeneity of the evidence base and the importance of individualized, function-focused assessment. This presentation aims to equip lactation professionals and clinicians with a balanced, evidence-based understanding of tongue-tie management, enabling them to navigate clinical uncertainty, counsel families effectively, and make informed, patient-centered decisions in practice.
Complementary feeding is a critical window for child growth, development and long-term health. According to the World Health Organization, the transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods should begin at around six months, when nutritional needs exceed what milk alone can provide. This presentation will provide an in-depth, evidence-based overview of current WHO recommendations on complementary feeding for children aged 6–24 months. Rosa will explore the scientific rationale underpinning key principles such as timing, adequate and safe foods, and responsive feeding, including their impact on growth, micronutrient status and developmental outcomes. The presentation will critically examine how these recommendations apply across high-income and low- and middle-income settings, highlighting contextual challenges, equity considerations, and implementation strategies. Practical approaches for translating global guidance into family-centred care will be discussed, equipping health professionals with tools to support optimal feeding practices and reduce both undernutrition and emerging diet-related risks.
Breastfeeding has proven benefits for mothers, infants, children, and families. It is an instinctive survival behavior that most mothers and children around the world practice without any need for formal instruction or assistance. Nonetheless, breastfeeding is a learned art and skill. As such, it often benefits from the assistance and support of another experienced and skilled individual—especially one who knows when to talk and when to listen.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
Research into infant feeding, the microbiome and public health is expanding rapidly, yet translating this evidence into meaningful clinical conversations can be challenging for health-care professionals. This webinar explores how current research findings — from the microscopic world of the infant microbiome to large-scale population health studies — can inform and enhance everyday practice with families.
Participants will examine emerging evidence related to breastfeeding, infant health and early life influences, while considering how broader public health data can be applied in a practical, family-centred way. The session will also explore strategies for communicating research findings clearly and compassionately, helping families make informed decisions without overwhelm or fear. Through bridging the gap between research and real-world clinical care, this presentation supports practitioners to critically engage with evidence while remaining responsive to the unique needs of the family in front of them.
Many mothers are told they need to express to increase or maintain their milk supply by health professionals early on in their breastfeeding journey. Breast pumps are also now almost ingrained in the breastfeeding culture, and many more may choose to express for many reasons. Unfortunately, it appears that mothers often receive limited or inaccurate guidance on to express effectively or optimally. From choosing the right pump and understanding flange sizing, to knowing how often they need to express - this presentation will unpack the essential information needed to support mothers in expressing effectively and with good information to support their journey.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
What does it mean to support LGBTQ+ people with breastfeeding/chestfeeding as an IBCLC or other health professional? What are their particular needs? How can you best serve them? In this presentation, IBCLC, doula, author, and queer parent herself B.J. Woodstein will explain terminology around LGBTQ+ people/parents and then go on to discuss the ethical and practical issues involved in LGBTQ+ breastfeeding/chestfeeding. The talk will cover a range of queer feeding approaches, included induced lactation and co-feeding. The audience will gain knowledge and confidence in regard to supporting LGBTQ+ families, focusing on the key medical, emotional, and personal issues to be aware of when it comes to breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
Breastfeeding and human milk feeding are critically important for infants, especially for preterm infants, yet establishing and maintaining lactation during a neonatal unit admission can be highly challenging for families. This presentation will explore preliminary findings from recent research on healthcare professionals’ and parents' experiences of providing and receiving support for breastfeeding and milk expression for preterm infants in neonatal units. Drawing on qualitative insights from parents and healthcare professionals, the session will discuss factors that shape support and care practices, the emotional and practical demands placed on families, and opportunities to improve lactation support within neonatal units. The presentation will also highlight the importance of human milk for preterm infants and explore strategies to strengthen breastfeeding outcomes through family-centred, evidence-based care.
Amy Spangler
Amy Spangler earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Ohio State University and her master’s degree in maternal and child health from the University of Florida. She is a registered nurse as well as an IBCLC. Amy has served as president of the International Lactation Consultant Association and chair of the United States Breastfeeding Committee. She is a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Emory University School of Nursing and the author of numerous publications including BREASTFEEDING, A Parent’s Guide, BREASTFEEDING, Keep It Simple, BREASTFEEDING, Your guide to a healthy, happy baby, Guidelines for the Establishment of Exclusive Breastfeeding, and BREASTFEEDING, Ready, Set, Go! Amy currently serves as president of Baby Gooroo. She lectures extensively on a wide variety of maternal and child health topics. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Dennis. They have two sons, Matthew and Adam.
Renee Kam
Renee is public health professional with a diverse background in research, clinical care, and health communication. She currently works as a research fellow with an established team on a research program that investigates how maternity care models influence maternal and infant health and wellbeing. Her experience spans physiotherapy, lactation consulting, scientific information, and public health, including a frontline COVID-19 response role. She has contributed extensively to breastfeeding research and education, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at conferences. Recognised with multiple academic and professional awards, including a top doctoral thesis honour, she brings strong research and clinical skills to advancing maternal and child health.
Amy Brown
Amy Brown is a professor of maternal and child health at Swansea University in the UK where she directs the research centre ‘LIFT’ which stands for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translational Research. She has spent the last twenty years researching experiences of parenting, particularly around feeding babies, caring for babies and parental mental health. With a background in psychology, Amy is particularly interested in how psychological, cultural and social influences affect parents experiences and drive the support they need. Amy is the author to thirteen books on parenting including those aimed at supporting parents, for health professionals, policy makers and academics. Her research underpins global policy and guidelines on parenting, and she is regularly invited to present evidence to governments, policy makers and healthcare organisations.
Wendy Ingman
Wendy Ingman is a leading breast health researcher committed to improving outcomes in breastfeeding and breast cancer. She collaborates with government agencies, healthcare professionals, and community organisations to bridge the gap between research and real-world outcomes. Wendy’s research spans several critical areas, including how to reduce breast cancer risk associated with mammographic breast density and other risk factors, the development of cutting-edge technologies for early detection, how to improve the accuracy of predictive breast cancer tests, and rethinking how we understand and treat lactation mastitis. Driven by a passion for translating science into impact, Wendy advocates for community education and empowering women to take charge of their breast health.
Justine van der Watt
Justine is a nurse, midwife and IBCLC. She has extensive experience working in NICU and privately as a midwife and lactation consultant. Despite being a midwife and working in NICU at the time of her daughter’s birth 12 years ago she realised she had limited breastfeeding knowledge and knew even less about expressing. She ended up exclusively expressing for her daughter for 10 months. During this time, she learnt a lot of information, mostly from a peer-to-peer Facebook group, not any of the 5 IBCLCs she saw - which she credits for quadrupling her output. She started her business in early 2016 with the aim to make expressing easier for the mothers of Australia. Since then, the business has evolved, and she now blends private practice as an endorsed midwife and IBCLC with the expressing information and products, while continuing her work in NICU as a nurse midwife and lactation consultant, and as a university lecturer for undergraduate nurses. She has developed a reputation throughout Australia and New Zealand as a leader in flange sizing. Outside of her professional life, Justine is a lover of coffee and an avid traveller.
Wendy Jones
Dr Wendy Jones is known for her work on providing a service on the compatibility of drugs in breastmilk and has been a registered breastfeeding supporter for 39 years. She is passionate that breastfeeding should be valued by all and that medication should not be a barrier. In her employed life she was a primary care pharmacist. Wendy left paid work 15 years ago to concentrate on writing her books and developing her website to provide information for mothers and professionals. Although threatening to retire, somehow she keeps getting involved in projects and she still enjoys supporting families and professionals. Wendy has published 4 books: Breastfeeding and Medication (2018), The Importance of Dads and Grandmas to the Breastfeeding Mother (2017), Why Mother’s Medication Matters (2017), Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions (2020) and co-edited A Guide to Supporting Breastfeeding for the Medical Professional (2019). She is currently writing a book about cancer following her daughter’s journey. Wendy has also written a lot of factsheets on Breastfeeding and Medication on her website www.breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk. Wendy was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2018 for services to mothers and babies. She received her award at Windsor Castle in May 2019 from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. She has 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren all of whom were breastfed to term. They form a large part of her life together with her husband, horse and dogs.
Carmela K Baeza
Carmela is a family physician specializing in breastfeeding medicine. In 2001, after a very unsuccessful breastfeeding experience with her first child, who had a congenital heart defect, she realized that her medical training had been completely lacking in the field of lactation. In 2005 she became an IBCLC and has been dedicated to breastfeeding medicine ever since. She works in a Family Wellness Clinic – Raices – in Madrid, Spain, and is part of the coordination and training team at the European Institute of Perinatal Mental Health, as well as Board Member of EABM (European Association of Breastfeeding Medicine). She is an active lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and author of several scientific papers as well as a parenting book in Spanish -Amar con los Brazos Abiertos
Tameka Jackson-Dyer
Tameka Jackson-Dyer is an IBCLC, doula and community health worker. She is a lifelong Detroiter with a Bachelors in Health Studies & Healthcare Administration from Siena Heights University, several lactation certifications and has been serving families in her community for over 15 years. Through international speaking engagements, publications in peer-reviewed journals, involvement with several CDC projects and community collaboration work with Coffective, Tameka provides a voice for marginalized communities in the maternal/ child health space. In addition, the mother of three owns Crazymilklady Lactation Support Services, chairs the Metro Detroit/ Wayne County Breastfeeding Coalition, is a Sisterfriend mentor and a co-founder and executive director of Southeast Michigan IBCLC’s of Color.
Gillian Opie
Gillian is a consultant neonatologist of over 25 years experience. She has been an IBCLC since 1997 with a particular interest in supporting mothers breastfeeding their preterm infants. She has been an active member of the Victorian Infant Collaborative Study group (VICS) undertaking long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up of infants born extremely preterm and of extremely low birthweight. Other research interests include probiotics (Proprems trial). Caffeine for Apnoea of Prematurity (CAP trial), High Dose Docosahexanoic Acid and Preterms and Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing (DAME trial). In 2011 Gillian was instrumental in establishment of the Mercy Health Breastmilk Bank. She continues to be a board member of the International Breastfeeding Journal.
Kelly Durbin
Kelly Durbin is an IBCLC, childbirth educator, author, and volunteer breastfeeding counselor. She has co-authored original research on breastfeeding topics and is the sole author of Protecting Your Potential for Breastfeeding. As a lactation consultant, Kelly has provided one-on-one consultations, taught prenatal breastfeeding education, and led nine lactation support groups in five US states, offering evidence-based information, practical support, and compassionate care to hundreds of families since 2008. Kelly is the curriculum development coordinator for Childbirth International. She lives in Portland, Oregon, USA, with her husband and two daughters.
Dianne Cassidy
Dianne is an IBCLC, podcaster, author, lactation education manager and has been working with families since 2008. In 2010, Dianne completed her Advanced Lactation Certification and BS In Maternal Child Health/Lactation. In 2013, she completed her MA in Health and Wellness/Lactation. Dianne has worked with thousands of families throughout the years in all areas of their breast/chest feeding journey. Dianne’s skillset has been informed by her broad experiences in WIC, in a hospital setting, in a busy pediatric office, a primary care office, telehealth, and private practice. From the prenatal period through weaning (whenever that may be), she has been a valued source of support and knowledge for families worldwide. Dianne teaches using her real-life experiences and case studies, which sets her apart in the lactation field providing a personalized and realistic experience for her audiences. Dianne’s evolution began as a clinical, patient-centered lactation consultant to a public speaker and educator, where she really shines. Her energy is contagious, and is felt by families, lactation consultants and birth workers alike.
Jill Rabin
Jill Rabin is a pediatric speech pathologist and IBCLC who has been working with the 0- to 3-year-old population for over 39 years. She is based in the north suburbs of Chicago, in the United States, where she has a private practice working with young babies and their families with feeding and speech/language issues. Her areas of specialty include facilitating breastfeeding in at-risk populations such as preterm infants, babies with complex medical histories and babies with Down syndrome, managing feeding aversion and using the Adapted Baby-Led Weaning Approach® to transition babies with feeding challenges to solids. Jill also works with breastfeeding babies who refuse the bottle. She co-authored the book Your Baby Can Self-Feed, Too! with Gill Rapley which was published in 2022. Jill lectures nationally and internationally on adapted baby-led weaning, managing complicated breastfeeding dyads and managing feeding aversion. She teaches live virtual classes for transitioning to solids to parents of babies exhibiting neurotypical development and/or feeding challenges. Jill co-moderates a monthly international Zoom group for expectant, pumping and breastfeeding parents of babies with Down syndrome through Julia’s Way and the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress.
Jenny Lynn
Jenny Lynn is a international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), and biodynamic craniosacral therapist. She was inspired to help other mothers with breastfeeding after experiencing outdated and undermining breastfeeding advice with her first child. She became a breastfeeding counsellor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association, running groups and volunteering on the national breastfeeding helpline. With a past history of nursing in paediatric clinics, general practice, and mental health she went on to sit the IBCLC exam in 2013. Realising that services for tongue tie were scarce she helped to establish a tongue tie clinic at Baby Steps Health Centre in collaboration with a GP. She found her way to craniosacral therapy after it became clear that many breastfeeding challenges were unresponsive to usual lactation consulting strategies. In 2019 she completed a Diploma of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy with Body Intelligence. She has a private practice in Perth, Australia specialising in unsettled babies and feeding difficulties and she also works for Breastfeeding Conferences, assisting in the organisation of educational programs nationally and online.
Naomi Dow
Dr Naomi Dow is a practicing GP, IBCLC, and breastfeeding medicine specialist. She is proud to be the first - and currently the only - GP/IBCLC in the UK offering dedicated breastfeeding medicine services. Naomi’s journey into lactation support began after the birth of her first child, when she trained as a breastfeeding peer supporter. She continues to volunteer in this role, providing compassionate, peer-to-peer guidance to families. Her clinical practice is deeply rooted in evidence-based care, which has shaped her professional focus. In addition to her clinical work, Naomi is a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, where she is actively involved in medical education, training future doctors. She also teaches healthcare professionals across the UK, promoting better understanding of lactation and infant feeding in medical practice. Naomi lives in Aberdeenshire, in the North-East of Scotland, with her husband and their two children.
B.J. Woodstein
B.J. Woodstein is a translator, writer, doula, lactation consultant, consultant in EDI and education, and honorary professor of literature and translation. Her most recent books include Feeding Your Allergy Baby, The Road to IBCLC, Translation Theory for Literary Translators, and We’re Here! A Practical Guide to Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent. She lives in Norwich, England, with her wife and their children.
Peta Arthurson
Peta Arthurson is an IBCLC and lactation educator with a diverse background spanning clinical care, education, and program development in maternal and infant health. Her work focuses on supporting families through the perinatal period, with a particular interest in breastfeeding education, low milk supply, and practical strategies that protect both infant nutrition and maternal mental health. Peta has developed innovative antenatal breastfeeding education programs designed to give expectant parents realistic, evidence-based preparation for early feeding challenges. Her approach emphasises clear education, practical problem-solving, and compassionate care that recognises the emotional complexity of infant feeding. Peta is a current director / board member of LCANZ and LEARRC.
Ellen Chetwynd
Ellen Chetwynd is a clinician-researcher who bridges science and touch to transform how infants and parents are supported in feeding. She developed Body-Led Breastfeeding (BLB) by integrating cranio-sacral techniques, epidemiology, and lactation consulting to create a new framework for infant feeding support. Her research focuses on the craft of lactation consulting—from clinical aspects to practice integration and research methods. She has applied her combination of research expertise and lactation consulting in many areas, including as past editor in chief of the Journal of Human Lactation. She speaks regularly, both nationally and internationally, as an invited and keynote speaker. In her clinical practice, Teaching Babies to Nurse, she provides referral-based lactation support and advanced training and mentorship for healthcare professionals. Ellen has volunteered extensively in her community, providing leadership in her state breastfeeding coalition and lactation consultant association, as well as speaking up for the importance of breastfeeding on a variety of state-level boards and committees.
Roslyn Donnellan-Fernandez
Roslyn is a midwife and recent director primary maternity care programs, Griffith University with experience in teaching and curriculum development at three Australian universities. She has practised midwifery over 30-years in public, private and community settings, teaching and mentoring midwives. A PhD with Flinders University (2016) focused on comparative costing and resourcing of midwifery continuity care models for women with complex pregnancy. Roz actively engages with strategic, policy and funding initiatives for scaling up midwifery models as a primary, public health strategy that enables access and equity for under-served groups / priority populations. A current IBCLC, former mental health nurse, research interests also encompass perinatal mental health, breastfeeding, pharmacology, disability. Roz has published book chapters, journal articles, textbooks: Midwifery Preparation for Practice and Neonatal Care for Nurses and Midwives, led authorial team for Pharmacology in Midwifery text (2024). An experienced peer reviewer for international journals, her teaching and research are informed by critical emancipatory social theory, principles of life-long learning, advocacy, and political and professional engagement that facilitate transformation of people, structures, and communities toward social justice, health equity, and gender equality.
Miriam Feen
Miriam Feen IBCLC has been supporting parents and babies for nearly 20 years. She has a private practice and also works in the NHS in London. Miriam became interested in the lactation field after challenges in her own feeding journey. She became a peer supporter and volunteered for many years in her local area of London where she set up a breastfeeding drop in group. She wanted to expand her knowledge and continued to study, becoming an IBCLC in 2013. Miriam works in private practice providing one-to-one face-to-face bespoke consultations in the clients home, weekly specialist infant feeding clinic and remote support via video and phone call consultations. Miriam provides many educational sessions to parents, birth workers and healthcare professionals. She provides supervision sessions to other IBCLCs online to support, discuss and brainstorm ideas, as it can be quite lonely working in the private practice. Miriam currently works in the NHS as a lactation consultant running the Specialist Infant Feeding Clinic for complex cases in a local community, educating health care professionals and she worked for over 10 years as a lactation consultant in the tongue-tie clinic in a large London hospital. Miriam particularly enjoys supporting parents with introducing solid foods to their babies and guiding parents through returning to work.
Meghan Gramlick
Meghan is a midwife and a mum of three. After completing a bachelor of science in 2013 Meghan was left feeling unfulfilled until she found and fell in love with midwifery. Meghan became a registered midwife in 2017 working in a public hospital setting where her love and interest in breastfeeding began. Today she speaks about her experiences breastfeeding a baby with laryngomalacia. Meghan enjoys photography, knitting and family time at the beach.
Carole Hervé
Carole Hervé is an IBCLC, trainer, author, and speaker based in Paris. Founder of Question d’Allaitement, she has been supporting families since 2011 through in-person and online consultations, helping them navigate their breastfeeding journey with confidence and evidence-based care. A practitioner of the Biological Nurturing approach developed by Suzanne Colson, she focuses on creating a nurturing and informed experience for parents and babies alike. As a trainer for institutions such as L’École du Bien Naître, CFPCO, and Dys’Kate Formation, Carole educates healthcare professionals on breastfeeding, sensory food aversion, and infant sleep. She also lectures at the University of Poitiers and collaborates with perinatal health networks across France. An international speaker and bilingual translator of lactation conferences, Carole contributes regularly to parenting publications such as Parole de Mamans, Doctissimo, and Parents Magazine. Her mission is to empower families and professionals through compassionate, science-based breastfeeding support.
Jessica Jackson
Dr Jessica Jackson has developed a nuanced evidence base exploring breastfeeding beyond infancy, with a particular focus on social context, stigma, and support systems. Her early qualitative work highlighted mothers’ feelings of guilt, isolation, and perceived wrongdoing when breastfeeding in cultures where it is not widely normalised. Subsequent studies expanded this lens to show how breastfeeding beyond infancy is often treated as taboo, pushing mothers toward online and international peer networks for validation and support. Using frameworks such as ecological systems theory, her research situates breastfeeding within intersecting influences, family, partners, healthcare professionals, and wider societal norms, demonstrating how these layers shape a mother’s ability to continue. More recent work extends this into underexplored contexts, including tandem breastfeeding, partner and family support, experiences of marginalised groups (e.g., trans and non-binary parents), and complex circumstances such as breastfeeding and eating disorders, preterm birth and intimate partner violence. Collectively, this body of research underscores the need for improved education, inclusive care, and cultural normalisation to better support diverse breastfeeding journeys.
Joellene Mitchell
Dr Joellene Mitchell is a consultant anaesthetist working in the NHS in Scotland. Her areas of interest include acute pain management, regional anaesthesia, and enhanced recovery pathways. She has been an advocate for patients who are breastfeeding in the perioperative period and has been involved in the development of local guidelines for patients who require care in hospital settings, either planned or emergency, to ensure both staff and patients are supported. She has chaired a working group for developing guidance for breastfeeding and anaesthesia with the Association of Anaesthetists in the UK and is the lead author for the clinical guideline for Breastfeeding and Anaesthesia which was first published in 2020 and recently updated in 2026. Outside of work Dr Mitchell enjoys cycling, running and escaping to the beach with her dog, and time with her family.
Bonnie Logsdon
Bonnie Holt Logsdon (she/her) is the owner & chief lactivist at Bonnie Knows Breast®, an international perinatal health speaker and educator, registered dietitian, IBCLC, and DONA-trained birth doula with over 22 years of experience spanning public health and private practice. After a decade advancing maternal-child health initiatives in public health, Bonnie spent the past 12 years building a thriving private practice serving families in Louisville, KY, Southern Indiana, and nationwide via telehealth. She is also the founder The Business of Breastfeeding, where she supports perinatal professionals in building sustainable, ethical, and financially sound practices. Bonnie has educated thousands of parents and professionals on nutrition and lactation and serves on the board of The Milk Bank and the GOLD Learning Lactation Academy Advisory Board. A past President of the Kentuckiana Lactation Improvement Coalition (KLIC), she is committed to expanding equitable access to affirming, evidence-based care.Her work centers on empowering families and strengthening the systems that support them.
Libby Salmon
Libby Salmon is a researcher interested in the regulation of women's food production for infants and young children through breastfeeding, working at the Australian National University. Her PhD on ‘Sharing human milk in Australia: challenging regulatory regimes for infant feeding’ investigated the legal, social and technological regulation of human milk banking and informal milk sharing. With experience in agricultural and veterinary policy, Libby has contributed to a study of breastfeeding and childcare, rapid evidence reviews for WHO on marketing of breast milk substitutes and complementary foods and the 2018 Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy and the role of public policy on health equity. Libby’s work on policy advocacy includes membership of the Australian Breastfeeding Association, the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (Australia) and the Infant and Toddler Foods Research Alliance.
Margaret Saltysiak
Margaret Saltysiak is a public health educator, lactation consultant, and content creator dedicated to advancing the education and development of lactation professionals. She serves as a Pathway 2 instructor through UC San Diego Extended Studies, where she teaches future lactation consultants and supports students preparing for certification and clinical practice. Margaret is the creator of multiple educational platforms designed to support learners at every stage of their careers. She also hosts a podcast for lactation professionals called Behind the Latch focused on clinical reasoning, research translation, and real-world case application. In addition to her educational work, Margaret is the owner of Naperville Lactation Services, where she provides clinical care. Her work focuses on translating complex clinical and public health concepts into practical, accessible learning tools that strengthen the lactation workforce and advance breastfeeding equity. As a mother of five, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, with a passion for teaching, mentorship, and building the next generation of lactation professionals.
Rosa Sorribas
Rosa Sorribas is an IBCLC, doula, and babywearing consultant based in Barcelona, with a background in computer engineering. In 2003, she co-founded CrianzaNatural.com and has since supported families and health professionals worldwide in breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and gentle parenting. In 2021, she co-founded eCrianza.com together with her husband and Laura López Fuentes, an educational platform offering comprehensive courses in breastfeeding and babywearing. Through eCrianza, Rosa trains aspiring IBCLCs and other professionals, helping them build solid knowledge and confidence to support families in their lactation journey. She collaborates with La Leche League, Areola, and other international breastfeeding organizations, and has delivered lectures and courses in Spain, Portugal, Poland, Colombia, the United States, and online. Her work combines evidence-based guidance with practical experience, empowering both families and professionals to achieve their goals in infant nutrition and care.
Maria Yelland
Maria Yelland is a midwife and MPhil student whose research focuses on improving breastfeeding and lactation outcomes for preterm infants. Combining clinical midwifery experience with translational research, she is committed to advancing evidence-based, family-centred care that improves outcomes for mothers, infants, and families with a particular focus on breastfeeding and lactation support in neonatal units.
Emily Little
Emily Little is a researcher, educator, and consultant, specializing in the cultural and biological foundations of parent-infant contact and early caregiving. She earned her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, with a specialization in anthropogeny, the study of human origins and evolution. Her research integrates developmental psychology, anthropology, and public health to examine how parent–infant proximity shapes breastfeeding, infant sleep, maternal mental health, and early development. Dr Little has conducted cross-cultural research on infant caregiving practices around the world and has published randomized controlled trials demonstrating that parent-infant contact increases breastfeeding duration and reduces postpartum depressive symptomatology. She founded and scaled a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racial inequities in perinatal and infant health through community-based education, research, and advocacy. Through her writing, teaching, and public speaking, including daily content on LinkedIn, Dr Little translates complex science into practical, culturally informed strategies that help health professionals better support families during the perinatal period.
Vicky Thomas
Dr Vicky Thomas has been a children’s doctor for nearly 20 years. She currently works as a consultant paediatrician at Newcastles’s Great North Children’s Hospital where her particular areas of interest are infant feeding and behaviour and nutrition for children with medical complexity. Vicky works across multiple clinical environments, including emergency department, outpatient clinics, and supporting growth and feeding in children across the inpatient settings, including The Children’s Heart Unit the Freemason’s Hospital. She also holds a number of roles with third sector organisations including The Lullaby Trust, First Steps Nutrition Trust and La Leche League GB and co-chairs the Hospital Infant Feeding Network.
Jeanne Marshall
Dr Jeanne Marshall is an experienced practising speech pathologist and internationally recognised researcher and educator in pediatric feeding disorder. She holds a conjoint research fellow position between Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service and The University of Queensland, where her research is embedded within a health service environment and driven by the needs of children and families, as well as the clinicians that care for them. Her work spans better diagnostics, early intervention, and awareness and advocacy for pediatric feeding disorder, with a strong focus on preventative health. Jeanne is also deeply committed to research translation, working alongside frontline clinicians and the families she serves to ensure research leads to real improvements in care.
Maleesa Pathirana
Dr Maleesa Pathirana is a clinical researcher and an affiliate lecturer with the Robinson Research Institute and University of Adelaide, South Australia. Her research involves various observational cohorts, clinical studies and registry analyses assessing cardiometabolic health in women across pregnancy and early postpartum period. She is interested in understanding the mechanisms underpinning progression to cardiovascular disease following a major complication of pregnancy such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles in the area of pregnancy complications and cardiometabolic disease. She is particularly interested in the effect of lactation in improving cardiovascular disease risk factors and utilising it as a strategy for treatment and primary prevention.
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