Join us for a boost of oxytocin with conversation and connection with friends and colleagues. The Oxytocin Exchange provides an open, flexible space where attendees lead the discussion, allowing for natural conversations and meaningful connections with others in the field. These relaxed sessions provide a space for conference attendees to talk about shared interests like professional roles, care practices, and challenges in lactation support. The multiple virtual rooms with different themes throughout the day, provide lots of opportunity to chat, learn and expand your professional network!
Come participate in the Oxytocin Exchange with the GOLD Lactation Community live on April 15 and 22.
The Oxytocin Exhange sessions on May 6 and 13 give our attendees the chance to vote on topics in advance to participate in. Topics will be announced soon.
These open sessions will run for 50 minutes and will not be recorded. Learn more below.
| The Oxytocin Exchange - Wednesday, April 15
|
|
Lactation Care in the NICU and Pediatrics
Discuss family centered lactation care, supporting milk supply for hospitalized infants and navigating hospital discharge and follow up care. This session is ideal for IBCLCs and RNs working in NICU and pediatric settings, as well as MDs, SLPs, Dieticians, OTs, Doulas, and others providing lactation care for hospitalized or medically complex infants and children.
|
Lactation Support in the Community
Discuss strategies for working with diverse families and settings, as well as defining boundaries, scope of practice and referral processes, and partnering with healthcare providers and local networks. This session is ideal for BF peer counsellors/CLCs, CLEs, CLSP,LLL/WIC, but also appeals to anyone doing community focused work. |
|
Promoting the Importance of Breastfeeding
Explore strategies for addressing misinformation, shifting public perceptions of breastfeeding in public, and strengthening community-level advocacy. This session is ideal for lactation consultants, educators, advocates, public health professionals, peer support workers, WIC, and pediatricians, and everyone interested in promoting the importance of breastfeeding.
|
|
Building Your Practice
Discuss starting and growing a private practice, fostering business ethics and professionalism in lactation care, building strong referral networks, and supporting ongoing education and personal growth. This session is ideal for new IBCLCs and those transitioning to private practice, CLCs, and other lactation professionals exploring private practice or entrepreneurship.
|
Complex Case Management in Lactation Care
Discuss assessment strategies for complex feeding cases, coordinating multidisciplinary care, and ethical considerations and scope of practice. This session is ideal for IBCLCs, RNs, pediatricians, RDs - clinical care providers, nurse educators. |
Prenatal Education and Preparation for Breastfeeding
Discuss strategies for engaging expectant families in breastfeeding discussions, integrating lactation education into prenatal classes, and using evidence-based prenatal teaching tools. This session is ideal for doulas, midwives, childbirth educators, lactation professionals in prenatal education, public health nurses, peer supporters and anyone working with families in the prenatal period. |
| The Oxytocin Exchange - Wednesday, April 22
|
|
Emerging Research and Global Perspectives in Lactation
Ideal for all professionals interested in staying current with global lactation science and emerging evidence, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss new evidence and its translation into practice as well as global perspectives in this session.
|
Mental Health and Emotional Support for Families
Discuss how to recognize perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, referral pathways and interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as how to maintain professional boundaries. This session is ideal for peer supporters, lactation consultants, therapists, community activists and anyone who is supporting perinatal emotional well-being. |
|
Telehealth, Texting, and Technology in Lactation Support
Discuss digital tools for follow-up and continuity of care, best practices for virtual consultations, breastfeeding apps for families and how to maintain connection and empathy through technology. This session is ideal for all lactation professionals exploring or using virtual and digital methods for client communication and education.
|
|
Birth Practices and the Impact on Lactation
Discuss the effects of labor interventions on breastfeeding, dive into strategies for promoting early skin-to-skin and physiological feeding, educating families about post-birth expectations, and supporting the recovery and feeding after surgical births. This session is ideal for IBCLCs, midwives, nurses, doulas, and childbirth educators.
|
Self-Care and Stress Mitigation for Lactation Care Providers
Share strategies for preventing burnout and setting boundaries in lactation work. This session is ideal for all professionals working in lactation or perinatal care seeking resilience and work-life balance. |
Communication and Counselling Techniques
Discuss strategies for trauma-informed communication, encouraging self-efficacy in families with family centered care, reflective listening and empathy skills, and managing difficult or emotional conversations. This session is ideal for IBCLCs, RNs, peer support workers, educators, and anyone looking to enhance their communication and counselling techniques. |
We look forward to the engagement, growth, and new ideas that will emerge from these sessions!
The Oxytocin Exchange - GOLD Lactation 2026