Conference Speakers
Every year, leading clinicians and researchers from the field of lactation around the world present their invaluable education through our unique online learning system. Our Director of Educational Programming, Fleur Bickford BSc, RN, IBCLC and Program Chair Melissa Cole, MS, IBCLC, along with our Professional Advisory Committee, review abstracts and invite Speakers to present on topics that are the most relevant to breastfeeding support providers. We're proud to offer you a full spectrum of education, including current research, clinical skills, case studies, advocacy and ethics.
We are pleased to present the line-up of main speakers below for our GOLD Lactation Online Conference 2024! These speakers have been selected by our program committee to ensure we are bringing you the most up to date and relevant content that we can. Click on the topics below to review further details on each presentation.
This year, there will be 25+ Speakers offering a total of 28+ hours of education.
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Practicing Board Certified Lactation Consultant since last 15 years. Special interests in Golden Hour Feeding, Kangaroo Care, Breast Feeding Multiples, Initiating, Maintaining and Establishing Milk supply in mothers of Preterm Babies, Breastfeeding in Surrogacy with induced Lactation, Breastfeeding in special situations such as Preterm, LBW, Surgical Cases, Syndromes, Cleft Palates etc.
Faculty for Indian Academy of Pediatrics and National Neonatology Forum for many years now for breastfeeding and nutrition workshops
Trained in Human Milk Banking under Dr. Ben Hartmann at PREM Bank, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, WA
instrumental for setting up the first Preterm Human Milk Bank 'Yashoda" at Sahyadri Specialty Hospital, Shastrinagar, Pune modelled on the lines of the PREM Bank at WA.
This presentation will deal with bridging the gap found between theory explained in books and actual scenarios in reality with mother-baby dyads where lactation care providers play an important role in helping parents meet their breastfeeding goals. Case scenarios will be presented, including the following: preterm babies and the potential for their mothers to be milk donors; inducing lactation in a biological mother with a poor obstetric history who has chosen to birth through surrogacy and is keen to exclusively breastfeed; antenatal colostrum harvesting in mothers who are receiving obstetric care in advance of an expected preterm birth, leading to exclusive breast milk feeding throughout the length of NICU stay and early transition to oral and breastfeeds; maintaining mother's milk supply in a special needs situation of a term infant with a bilateral enclosed cleft palate till introduction of solids and cleft palate repair at the age of 1 year; and pasteurization of mother's own milk due to growth of Ecoli and Kleibsiella organisms and usage for enteral feeding in preterm twins.
Andreea Ola is a Clinical Psychologist and IBCLC with over 8 years of experience working with the mother-infant pair and conducting training in various settings (academic and medical fields, formal and informal education, national and transnational NGOs, and vulnerable populations).
Andreea Ola has been working in private practice in Romania, offering in-depth assessment and individualized solutions for challenging breastfeeding situations: low milk supply, slow weight gain, oral dysfunction, relactation, oversupply, breast refusal, reflux, as well as gentle sleep solutions for babies and parents.
She also has academic teaching experience in Developmental Psychology and Counseling and an interest in Perinatal Psychology.
Andreea Ola has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Educational Sciences and a Master's Degree in Human Resources Development.
Andreea Ola is a mother of two children, which inspired her lactation journey. She is also active on several social media channels, delivering free education materials to a community of over 60K users.
What happens when exclusively breastfed babies don’t reach the milestones associated with optimal growth? This presentation highlights clinical case studies of slow weight gain and growth faltering (failure to thrive) in exclusively breastfed babies, the diverse causes associated with impaired growth and the clinical management of the cases.
The presentation will help lactation consultants differentiate between optimal weight gain, slow weight gain, and growth faltering (failure to thrive) in breastfed babies. An evidence-based overview of the causes of growth faltering is presented, as are optimal growth standards, red flags related to growth patterns, interventions that support the breastfeeding dyad and communication strategies within the medical team.
Lactation consultants will learn: how to identify growth-related problems based on the use of the WHO growth standard; when and how to refer to medical care; how to assist with supplementation when medically indicated; and how to support the dyad’s breastfeeding goals.
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.
Solving latching problems is one of the primary roles of a lactation consultant, and yet understanding and supporting infants with latching problems can feel challenging and frustrating, to even seasoned professionals. In this presentation, you’ll learn how to use an infant's reflexes to understand, identify and support common latching problems in struggling dyads and why this approach has benefits well beyond just the latch.
Caoimhe qualified as an IBCLC in 2016 after completing the IBLCE pathway 1 route to certification for voluntary breastfeeding supporters. She currently works in private practice in Dublin, Ireland and does some lecturing in breastfeeding and lactation topics at third-level institutions. Caoimhe has a particular interest in low milk supply, antenatal education, qualitative breastfeeding research and the experience of transitioning to motherhood in the digital age. In 2022 Caoimhe graduated from University College Dublin with an MSc. in research. Her study explored the lived experiences of women breastfeeding with primary low milk supply.
Most cis-women can exclusively breastfeed. However, a small cohort are unable to produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed due to primary low milk supply (PLMS). This presentation will explore the findings of a qualitative study that employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to investigate the lived experiences of nine first-time breastfeeding mothers with PLMS. Four superordinate themes were identified. 'Being in the Whirlwind' captured the emotional and practical challenges faced by participants in the early months postpartum. ‘Being-with-Others' provided insights into participants’ experiences of engaging with healthcare professionals (HCPs), IBCLCs, and others. ‘Motherhood in the shadow of PLMS’ explored the participants accounts of being and becoming a mother who is unable to exclusively breastfeed and a fourth theme explored embodied aspects of having PLMS. Participants experienced the early months postpartum as a chaotic and emotionally traumatic whirlwind, in which efforts to increase milk supply were all-consuming. They had to find a way to journey out of this whirlwind, transcend the challenges of being a mother with PLMS and make peace with their experience. The findings highlight the importance of skilled and individualized breastfeeding support for parents with PLMS and illuminate specific areas for improving the support provided to women with PLMS.
I am a MD specialist in Pediatrics and Public Health (University of Buenos Aires), Educator and IBCLC.
I graduated from University of Buenos Aires in 1994. I completed the Residency and was Chief of Pediatric Residents at the Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Teodoro Álvarez between 1995 and 2000.
I am an International Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Diploma in Childcare and Breastfeeding (University of Aconcagua).
Instructor in Infant Massage (International Association of Infant Massage).
Recently graduated as a specialist in Public Health (University of Buenos Aires) Educator on topics related to Human Breastfeeding, Childcare and Nurturing Touch Care in national universities and hospitals, as well as in various private institutions in Argentina and Latin America.
I am also a member of the National Breastfeeding Committee of the Argentine Society of Pediatrics and Reviewer of scientific articles related to breastfeeding in the Scientific Journal of the Argentine Society of Pediatrics "Archivos Argentinos de Pediatría''.
Founder member (secretary) of ACLAMA (Association of Breastfeeding Consultants of Argentina).
I am also the Director of the "Infant Massage Course for Professionals in the Perinatal and Pediatric Area" at Criar Salud, an educational-assistance space for families and professionals.
My assistance work is based on offering families comprehensive, holistic and respectful care in their breastfeeding and parenting processes.
My mission from teaching is to raise awareness among health agents who assist the perinatal and pediatric population about the fundamental nature of contact in primary processes, promoting breastfeeding education from a health prevention perspective.
We sense the world as threatening or pleasant through our skin. Sensations such as warmth, heat, cold, intense or dim light, gentle or aggressive touch can both stimulate and inhibit our autonomic nervous system and oxytocinergic system. When the baby is in skin-to-skin contact with his mother, he moves his little hands to "massage" his mother's chest, thus generating oxytocin pulses (Uvnas-Moberg 2003). The moderate pressure contact exerted by the baby's body on the mother's body generates a tactile stimulus that triggers a strong associated vagal response of calm and wellness.
More and more research is being added in relation to the power of touch in the release of oxytocin and the stimulation of the vagal system. This presentation will look at how touch, the mother of senses, provides mother and baby the input to the oxytocinergic system playing an integral role in the biological-behavioral regulation of lactation. As care providers, learning how to nuture these encouters between parent and baby and teach about why it is so important will help to improve breastfeeding duration and create families attentive to the needs of their children.
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.
Around the world, in highly resourced areas, the rate of cesarean delivery continues to rise. In the United States alone, cesarean deliveries have increased from 20% to 32% over the last 25 years (Antoine and Young 2020). European, Asian, and Australian countries have seen nearly a doubling of their cesarean delivery rates within just a 10-year span (Bhatia et al, 2020). Parents who have experienced a cesarean delivery can have lower breastfeeding rates and are more likely to initiate formula supplementation. Cesarean delivery can delay the start of breastfeeding and shorten the overall duration of breastfeeding. The birth parent who has undergone a cesarean delivery is also more likely to experience increased pain with incision and breast edema, making position and latch more difficult. Cesarean birth is associated with the development of an imbalance of the infant gut microbiome, leading the infant to increased risks of asthma, allergies, and eczema. Lactation professionals, medical providers and birth workers who are assisting new families after delivery need to not only be aware of the increased risks, but also must have tangible skills and knowledge of the latest data to share with families. The learner will have a better understanding of why cesarean birth may lead to lower breastfeeding rates, and how to support breastfeeding after cesarean.
Dr. Dyah Febriyanti is a medical doctor, an IBCLC, a breastfeeding counselor, and a mother living in Jakarta, Indonesia. She has been working in hospitals since she graduated in 2012. She was facing many struggles to succeed breastfeeding her daughter for two years. She has been an IBCLC since 2017. She works with breastfeeding dyads in a team, called Praborini lactation team, consisting of all lady doctors in outpatient and inpatient care units. Concerning breastfeeding and nutrition in early life, she has published a semi-cookbook about complementary foods for breastfed babies and cooking videos to educate and help mothers feed their babies. She also has been working on scientific writing. She is a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, International Lactation Consultant Association, and a trainer of the Indonesian Society of Perinatology.
During the postpartum period, mothers experience a neuroendocrine and behavioural transition considered to be complicated. Any disruptions that occur during this transition may lead to postpartum disorder. This condition impairs maternal sensitivity, which may have additional effects on the development of the infant's emotional regulation and attachment and is associated with earlier cessation of breastfeeding.
Many people mistake depression for simple sadness. Postpartum depression goes far beyond this common perception. In its correct context, it can appear as an entirely different set of complex behavioural patterns and clinical complaints, such as manic or hypomanic episodes or even a trace of psychosis. Many mothers may not share their feelings with their doctors and instead choose to ignore or deny the onset of symptoms. It is crucial to recognise these symptoms promptly and precisely while providing practical support for breastfeeding families. When assessing perinatal mental health challenges, health care providers must consider both the condition itself and its potential effects on breastfeeding. In order to support breastfeeding dyads and their families, thoughtful clinical consideration is essential.
Access to quality lactation care is one of the biggest hurdles facing new mothers. Geographical isolation only compounds the issue further. While many programs aim to provide access in metropolitan and city centers, few address the lack of care in surrounding rural communities. A mobile lactation clinic is one potential solution to create access to care for these often forgotten demographics. While this is one of the first mobile lactation clinics, its immediate success in bringing lactation care to underserved populations can be modeled in other locations. This presentation will discuss how mobile units can improve access to lactation care and how a mobile clinic was designed cost-effectively to provide lactation care to the underserved. The goal of this presentation is to arm others in the field of lactation with the knowledge to improve access to care within their own communities by bridging the gap for those unable to receive care due to geographical location.
I have been involved in birth and breastfeeding for the past 17 years.
I have been in charge of the Specialist Breastfeeding Clinic (Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust) for complex breastfeeding dyads for the past 5 consecutive years. We have been awarded the 2023 IBCLC Community-Based Care Award and we have gained UNICEF BFI Stage 3 accreditation.
For the past 13 years, I have trained and mentored future IBCLCs from around the world through my Breastfeeding London Course which is delivered: in-person, online and hybrid.
As the Director of the Centre for Breastfeeding Education and Research, I have published in leading international peer-reviewed breastfeeding journals and currently serve as a peer-reviewer.
I am currently doing Doctoral research in Nursing and Midwifery within the Mother and Infant Research Unit at the University of Dundee. My research examines breastfeeding education for Healthcare providers, the interplay between learning needs and motivation.
I have served in my voluntary capacity as a LLL leader for the past 15 years.
Gayle is a lactation consultant, educator and author. She has over 15 years experience in research where, as chair of research teams, she has written, produced, and presented research internationally. Gayle is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Breastfeeding Education and Research (CBER), delivering lactation education internationally in preparation for the IBLCE exam and publishing peer-reviewed research. She is also an Associate Editor with the Journal of Human Lactation (JHL). Gayle has a small private practice in London, UK, and is a clinician with the UK National Health Service (NHS) providing lactation care to families. Gayle has volunteered extensively in the community with The National Childbirth Trust (NCT), a national charity for pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood in the UK and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM), a major breastfeeding charity in the UK.
Thousands of papers are published on lactation and breastfeeding each year. We know that research should drive our clinical practice. IBCLCs and lactation supporters should have access and be familiar with some of the latest research in order to provide culturally effective up-to-date evidence-based breastfeeding care. Yet how are busy lactation professionals expected to find the time? Also it can be difficult to decipher and make sense of often dense and complicated academic articles which are only understandable to researchers and academics. How often do you end up thinking "this is interesting, but how does this apply to my day-to-day practice supporting breastfeeding families?"?
This presentation discusses a selection of recently published papers chosen specifically because they can be applied by IBCLCs caring for breastfeeding dyads. We will discuss the latest evidence regarding a range of topics including: treatments for nipple pain and trauma, the impact of pain on breastfeeding after c-sections, chrononutrition, maternal worry about infant weight, ankyloglossia and flange sizing when pumping.
Jacqueline Kincer is the founder of Holistic Lactation where she runs a busy practice, manufacturers herbal supplements for lactation, and supports breastfeeding families worldwide. She's also the host of the podcast Breastfeeding Talk: Milk. Mindset. Motherhood. and creator of the online breastfeeding community, The Nurture Collective. Jacqueline's passion has been to create functional breastfeeding outcomes and expand access to lactation knowledge across the globe.
Dive into the heart of breastfeeding success with this comprehensive presentation exploring the nuanced landscape of clinical sucking skills. This talk will delve into the physiological essentials underpinning successful breastfeeding. The interaction between infant mouth mechanics and maternal breast physiology takes center stage, underscoring the pivotal role of establishing a proper latch. It is crucial to understand the obstacles to good sucking skills and learn ways to detect problems early. Knowing which interventions to use to correct problems and how to craft individualized care plans for optimal results is a skill all providers can use to support breastfeeding dyads. This talk amplifies the importance of not only the IBCLC's role as a coordinator within the healthcare team, but also ways to empower parents through practical strategies that make them active participants in optimizing their baby's sucking skills for breastfeeding success.
Janiya Mitnaul Williams, MA, IBCLC,CLC, is an accomplished lactation consultant, advocate, and trailblazer in the field of perinatal health equity. With over 15 years of experience, Janiya has dedicated her career to supporting nursing families and driving positive change in lactation practices.
Janiya's educational background includes degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, as well as Health & Wellness with a concentration in Human Lactation. This diverse knowledge base equips her with a holistic approach to lactation support, recognizing the unique needs of each individual and their family.
In March of 2020, Janiya made history by creating and establishing the groundbreaking Pathway 2 Human Lactation Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC), becoming the first public Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to offer a lactation program. As the Director of this pioneering program, she has set new standards in lactation education and operates an Outpatient Community-Based Lactation Clinic, providing essential support to nursing families in the local community.
Janiya's visionary leadership extends beyond the university setting. As the Co-Chair of the Perinatal Health Equity Collective for North Carolina since 2022, she leads strategic initiatives to address disparities and promote equitable access to quality perinatal services. Her passion for social justice and commitment to advancing equity in perinatal care have made a profound impact on the field.
Additionally, Janiya serves as the Co-Coordinator for Doula Services at the Women's and Children's Center at Cone Health. In this role, she works tirelessly to ensure birthing individuals and their families receive compassionate care and invaluable resources throughout their journey.
Recognizing the need for representation and cultural inclusivity within the lactation field, Janiya founded the Mahogany Milk Support Group in 2015. This empowering initiative aims to promote, encourage, and normalize nursing for Black and Brown families. Her trailblazing efforts include being the first person of color and Non-Registered Nurse to be hired as a Lactation Consultant within Cone Health's hospital system.
Driven by a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in lactation, Janiya strives to promote better health outcomes for Black, Brown, marginalized, and underprivileged families, who often face significant lactation barriers. Her visionary leadership, dedication to lactation equity, and unwavering commitment to empowering nursing families have earned her recognition and respect within the industry. Through her pioneering work and advocacy, Janiya is making a lasting impact on the field of perinatal health equity, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all nursing families.
Placing patient-centered care at the forefront of lactation is not just important; it is pivotal. This endeavor seamlessly weaves together the intricacies of equity and evidence-based information, all while focusing intently on tailoring support to the unique needs of lactating individuals and fostering ideal communication.
For breastfeeding/chestfeeding, patient-centered care infused with equity recognizes diverse socio-cultural factors, bridging gaps in support and enriching maternal and infant health outcomes. Integrating evidence-based information bolsters lactation guidance, refining the nursing person’s experience.
However, at its core, lactation-focused care revolves around meeting individuals where they are with just moments to grasp their preferences and establish trust and empathy. Effective communication acts as the cornerstone, facilitating clear dissemination of their concerns/issues while applying shared decision-making. This empowers lactating individuals and their families by aligning feeding choices and plans with their personal objectives.
In order to revolutionize lactation support we must practice patient-centered care, while weaving in equity and evidence-based practices.This means combining fairness and using proven methods. This approach values families' experiences and encourages teamwork, making parents, infants and children healthier and happier.
Kelly M. Durbin is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), childbirth educator, author, and volunteer breastfeeding counselor. She has co-authored original research on breastfeeding topics, including access to lactation care, community breastfeeding support, telelactation, and community vulnerability, published in numerous top-tier, peer-reviewed academic journals. Her new book, Protecting Your Potential for Breastfeeding, published by Praeclarus Press, became available in June 2023.
As a lactation consultant, Kelly has provided one-on-one consultations, taught numerous breastfeeding classes, and has conducted 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 Phoenix, Arizona, USA, with her husband and two daughters.
Routine birth interventions have a complex relationship with breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Birth interventions, while sometimes necessary, can inadvertently create challenges for breastfeeding. Through an analysis of current research and evidence, this lecture examines the various types of birth interventions, such as induction of labor, maternal IV fluids, epidural anesthesia, instrumental delivery, and cesarean delivery, and their potential impacts on lactation initiation and breastfeeding. It explores the known physiological factors that can impede the establishment of breastfeeding in the critical early postpartum period.
Furthermore, this lecture will emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive environment for breastfeeding, and the use of evidence-based strategies to improve breastfeeding initiation, including the provision of comprehensive lactation support, counseling, and education. This lecture will explore strategies that are known to mitigate the negative impact of birth interventions on breastfeeding. In addition, this lecture will provide participants with a series of questions that can help lactation consultants facilitate conversations with clients that can reveal potential negative outcomes resulting from the birth experience.
Laurel Wilson, BS, IBCLC, CCCE, CLE, CLD, CPPFE, CPPI owns MotherJourney in Morrison, Colorado. She has her degree in Maternal and Child Health – Lactation Consulting. With twenty-five years of experience working with Parents in the childbearing year and perinatal professionals, Laurel takes a creative approach to working with the pregnant family. She is a co-author of best-selling books, The Greatest Pregnancy Ever: The Keys to the MotherBaby Bond and The Attachment Pregnancy: The Ultimate Guide to Bonding with Your Baby. She currently spends a great deal of her time working with hospitals seeking BabyFriendly Status as a consultant and educator. She strives to provide the latest techniques, research and programs to her clients. Laurel is a board certified as a lactation consultant, childbirth educator, labor doula, lactation educator, Prenatal ParentingTM Instructor, and Pre and Postpartum fitness educator. She served as the CAPPA Executive Director of Lactation Programs for 16 years and trained Childbirth Educators and Lactation Educators for CAPPA certification. She is on the Board of Directors for the United States Breastfeeding Committee, a Senior Advisor for CAPPA, and also on the Advisory Board for InJoy Health. Laurel has been joyfully married to her husband for more than 25 years and has two amazing sons, whose difficult births led her on a path towards helping emerging families create positive experiences. She believes that the journey towards and into parenthood is a life changing rite of passage that should be deeply honored and celebrated.
The remarkable process by which mammals produce and provide nourishment to their young through milk, is regulated by a complex interplay of hormones and intricate biological mechanisms. Recently, emerging research has shed light on the significant role of neohormones in the evolution of mammalian reproduction and lactation. Neohormones and their interaction with the estrobolome—a collection of gut bacteria involved in the metabolism of estrogen compounds, are yet another important component that can potentially impact successful lactation. This abstract aims to explore the fascinating relationship between lactation, neo-hormones, and the estrobolome. We will delve into pivotal neohormones, oxytocin, relaxin and estrogen and their potential impact on lactation. We explore the estrobolome, a dynamic consortium of gut bacteria involved in the metabolism of estrogen compounds. Recent studies have revealed the estrobolome's intricate relationship with overall health, particularly in modulating estrogen levels and influencing hormonal balance. We examine the possible connection between the estrobolome and lactation, investigating whether the composition and activity of gut bacteria may impact lactation outcomes. Lastly, we consider the how the exposome (environmental influences) shapes lactation, neo-hormones, and the estrobolome. Understanding the interplay between these elements can inform strategies to optimize lactation outcomes, enhance maternal/parental-infant health, and provide valuable insights into therapeutic interventions for lactation-related challenges. In conclusion, this abstract underscores the significance of exploring the relationship between lactation, neo-hormones, and the estrobolome. By unraveling the complex mechanisms at play, we can deepen our understanding of lactation processes, shed light on the effects of neo-hormones, and illuminate the potential role of the estrobolome in modulating lactation outcomes. Ultimately, this knowledge may contribute to improved health and well-being for lactating individuals and their offspring.
Lindsey Reeves is a Registered Dietitian, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and owner of Angel Food Lactation & Nutrition, LLC just outside of Raleigh, NC. She is the primary caregiver to her three young sons, her most important job to date. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, she completed a Master of Science in Nutrition and the Dietetic Internship Program to become a Registered Dietitian.
She began her career in perinatal and pediatric nutrition counseling while establishing her private practice and expanding her knowledge in lactation support through the Mary Rose Tully Training Initiative at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill. Currently, her business offers nutrition and lactation counseling from preconception through preschool. She holds a certificate of training in food allergy management and is specialized in counseling moms with food intolerant/food allergic children via breast milk and solid food intake. Additionally, Lindsey offers professional presentations, seminars, and family focused classes.
She has spoken nationally for many different professional audiences and internationally through webinar presentations on topics related to food allergies/sensitivities, maternal nutrition, complimentary feeding, infant nutrition, and more. Lastly, she published an article in the Journal of Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition (ICAN) titled; "Optimizing the Microbiome and Immune System with Maternal Diet in Pregnancy and Lactation May Food Allergies in Infants". Lindsey is passionate about her work in perinatal nutrition and lactation, aiming to always empower families with the tools necessary to find their perfect balance of health and happiness.
From lactic acid accumulation to maintaining milk supply, many questions arise when parents consider whether and how they will exercise while lactating. Exercise is considered safe and beneficial for all stages of life, even for most with a compromised health status. Yet, when it comes to lactation, many questions arise surrounding the impact of physical activity on lactation performance and milk composition. Research shows us that exercise helps to reduce inflammation, improve energy metabolism, increase blood circulation and immunity, boost the body’s ability to respond to stress, and impact the longevity and disease outcomes for individuals who make moving their bodies a long-term habit.
Each of these components of health plays a role in lactation performance and can greatly improve the outcome for lactating dyads. The importance of balanced nutrition in exercise and lactation performance is essential in maintaining an optimal environment for milk production and energy balance, especially for busy parents. In this session, we will discuss the impact of exercise and nutrition in lactation and declutter the conversation surrounding the frequency and intensity in which one should incorporate these practices into this season of life.
Megan Dunn is an experienced Lactation Consultant, infant feeding specialist, and Health Educator with nearly two decades of experience providing comprehensive lactation education and clinical care. With a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Sociology and a minor in Communication, Megan offers holistic, evidence-based care and develops innovative care plans in a Trauma-Informed environment. She also teaches community prenatal classes in a local hospital system and provides professional education opportunities with a focus on promoting equity. Megan is an award-winning breastfeeding advocate, currently serving as the President of the Oregon Washington Lactation Association, and has successfully implemented and developed clinical lactation services and Medicaid billing for Public Health lactation care.
This presentation focuses on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of infertility that affects up to 20% of birthing parents. The symptoms of PCOS, such as insulin resistance, raised levels of androgens, and irregular menses, can also impact lactation outcomes. The presentation will delve into the four types of PCOS and their connection to metabolic function and lactation, as well as provide guidance on interpreting lab results, safe and effective interventions to support milk production, and addressing personal biases that may negatively impact obese parents. The presentation will also examine the impact of ethnicity and socioeconomic status on PCOS risk and explore systemic changes that can improve lactation outcomes for all families, taking into consideration international recommendations and the elimination of explicit and implicit biases.
Mercedes Thomas is an advanced practice nurse, lactation consultant, writer, and health consultant. She is also the author of the best-selling book What in the Baby?!?: The Modern Mama's Guide to Confidently Caring for Your Baby and Surviving the Postpartum Period, written to help expectant mothers and new parents transition into the new normal of parenthood.
She has been in the nursing field for over a decade. Mercedes completed her undergraduate nursing studies at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and went on to earn her Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of South Alabama.
In 2020, Mercedes was named the Washington Parent Pick in the category of breastfeeding support. She has also been recognized by the founders of Black Breastfeeding Week as a ""brave innovator"" in her pursuits to support lactation care and education in her community. Her health articles have also been featured in outlets like Medical News Today, Verywell Health, and GoodRx.
As an extension of her immense passion for supporting parents, Mercedes also created the My Global Family app to connect parents to health and education service providers, reliable resources, and other families worldwide.
In Mercedes' downtime, you can find her globetrotting with her family, and advocating for families to have access to equitable, quality healthcare and breastfeeding services.
There is no secret that compared to other industrialized nations that the breastfeeding and infant mortality rates in the United States are shameful. This is true in other parts of the world as well and often, part of the problem is poor access to quality information about breastfeeding. Not to mention the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic left even more birthing parents to fend for themselves and to lean on social media for support and ""Dr. Google"" to find the answers to the parenting challenges that plagued them.
What if lactation professionals and healthcare providers could help turn the negatives into positives? What if part of the solution to the dismal maternal mortality statistics and breastfeeding rates for Black and other marginalized parents was the dissemination of quality digital health content?
This presentation will explore the use of content creation as a means to engage, educate and advocate for marginalized families. It will also take a deeper dive into the health disparities that exist and the high stakes involved for families who lack resources and lactation support.
Miranda is a neonatal nurse, lactation consultant and researcher originally from the UK and now living and working in Melbourne, Australia. She has worked with breastfeeding families for nearly 30 years, initially in a surgical neonatal unit caring for babies with NEC, where the impact of human milk was impressed upon her. Miranda's PhD focused on breastfeeding problems and how women feel about the journey of early motherhood. She is currently working as a hospital lactation consultant and very much enjoys supporting the diverse families in her local community.
Recognizing the vital role of breastfeeding in maternal and infant health, this talk addresses the importance of tailored support that accommodates the diverse needs of neurodiverse families. I will explore the intersections between ADHD, ASD, and breastfeeding experiences, discussing the emerging science and how sensory sensitivities, executive functioning differences, and emotional regulation challenges can impact the breastfeeding journey.
Through case studies and evidence-based practices, this presentation offers practical tools for healthcare professionals, lactation consultants, and support networks to provide comprehensive, empathetic, and accessible care to neurodiverse mothers and their remarkable babies. By empowering these mothers with the knowledge and strategies they need to succeed in breastfeeding, we aim to promote their mental and physical health, strengthen maternal-infant bonding, and ultimately contribute to healthier, happier families.
Nikki started as an LPN in 1971, got her RN and BSN, and a graduate degree. She is an author, a teacher, a holistic lactation consultant, a craniosacral therapy practitioner, and a baby body worker (teaching Infant Massage and TummyTime! She is mother to 2 wonderful (breastfed for a long time) daughters, wife to 3 interesting men, only one of whom was the right one for the past 37 years, Rafe!
Her publications include the books, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy and A Breastfeeding Owner’s Manual; the monographs, “Benefits of Breastfeeding and Their Economic Impact” and “Sexuality and Breastfeeding” and the educational pamphlet “How to help yourself through labor”. She has been the reviews editor for the journal Clinical Lactation, and has worked as the lactation consultant for the division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health since 2006.
Many healthcare disciplines, including breastfeeding counseling and lactation consultation, use negotiation and therapeutic conversation to give practical advice, encouragement and suggestions to their clients. What can we learn about counseling from disciplines that are outside the healthcare arena? This presentation will describe different counseling principles that come from fitness coaching and from hostage negotiation and how they can be used to help improve outcomes for breastfeeding families.
Dr. Nour el Hoda is a dedicated lactation consultant with a profound commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers and infants. Her journey began in 2014, initially as a community volunteer, where she witnessed the challenges mothers faced on their breastfeeding journeys. Motivated to make a lasting impact, she pursued a transformative path, eventually becoming a Certified Lactation Specialist in 2015, the an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Dr. Nour el Hoda's approach to lactation support is rooted in her belief that each breastfeeding experience is unique. Holding a PharmD degree from Saint-Joseph University in Beirut, her background in pharmacy, allows her to provide holistic guidance, blending medical expertise with compassionate care.
What sets her apart is her extensive experience across diverse settings, including hospitals, home visitation programs, and training of breastfeeding specialists. She also offered her technical support to different organizations and helped numerous families overcome challenges and reach their breastfeeding goals.
Dr. Nour el Hoda's commitment extends beyond in-person consultations, offering online resources, follow-up care, and support groups to empower families on their breastfeeding journeys. . She is passionate about spreading breastfeeding knowledge among peers and professionals as well as through her direct work with mothers.
As a continuous learner, Dr. Nour el Hoda stays updated with the latest advancements in lactation support, ensuring her clients receive top-notch care. Her speaking engagement at the esteemed conference promises a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, sharing invaluable insights into the art and science of lactation consulting.
Concerns regarding potential harm to nursing infants from maternal medication use often leads to advice suggesting discontinuation of breastfeeding. Such guidance, when inaccurate, may jeopardize the breastfeeding relationship and the infant's nutrition. While lactation consultants/counselors may not possess the authority to prescribe medications, their responsibility in this case lies in delivering competent care and advocating for lactating parents. This advocacy hinges on a comprehensive understanding of medication compatibility with lactation.
In this presentation, we will review the basics of medications’ compatibility with breastfeeding, with a specific emphasis on non-prescription drugs indicated for pain management and common cold relief. We will have an overview about common platforms to use as references, interpreting medication labels including commonly used drugs for pain relief and colds, weighing and communicating potential risks and benefit. Attendees will enhance their ability to engage in informed evidence-based dialogues with lactating families about the safe use of over-the-counter analgesics and common cold medication. By equipping ourselves with this knowledge in addition to our communication skills, we can fulfill our vital role as advocates for the lactating parent, ensuring the promotion of both maternal well-being and infant nutrition by preserving the breastfeeding relationship.
Family centered care is a term that is commonly heard these days, but what does it mean and what does it actually look like in practice? Join our panel of expert speakers for an exciting discussion about what family centered care really means, how to change our practices to be family centered, and what to do when a family's desire or ability isn't in line with best practice for lactation.
Evidence based practice is considered the gold standard for lactation care, but what do we do when there's little to no evidence? As care providers working with families with infants, there is often a lack of research for interventions because research studies would be unethical or hard to manage. Join our panel of experts to talk about what is meant by evidence based care, the different levels of evidence, how to practice evidence-based care when research is lacking and how we can help to further develop the available evidence for what we do in clinical practice by noticing patterns and gathering and recording information.
Rocío Zunini has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Ottawa, and over ten
years of experience as an academic researcher. Currently, she dedicates her time to supporting families and professionals by translating the science of the parental brain and applying it to real life.
She is the founder of Newborn Parents, which was born out of the fusion of her two passions: the brain and the relationship between parents and their infants. Newborn Parents is a movement that informs and empowers families and professionals to take advantage of the profound brain changes that accompany mastrescence and patrescence so that they can create a lifelong nurturing relationship with their babies.
In the realm of parenting and infant development, the concept of biobehavioral synchrony has emerged as a pivotal factor influencing early interactions and long-term outcomes. This presentation delves into the intricate web of biobehavioral synchrony, its significance, and the essential role of nervous system regulation.
Biobehavioral synchrony is how parents’ mature nervous system regulates the infant’s immature nervous system. In this presentation, we will explore how the parental brain experiences synchrony in the context of caregiving, emphasizing its profound impact on parent-infant relationships.
In addition, we delve into the nuanced connection between oxytocin, sensitive periods, and modes of synchrony. Furthermore, we examine the potential contribution of lactation to fostering biobehavioral synchrony.
Finally, emotion regulation is essential to biobehavioral synchrony. We explore the neural underpinnings of emotion regulation in the parental brain as well as discuss the risk factors that can hinder the development of synchrony and offer insights into fine-tuning the nervous system to create an environment conducive to synchrony.
This presentation bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and practical application, equipping professionals with a deeper understanding of biobehavioral synchrony, its facilitators, and its implications for early childhood development. By bringing biobehavioral synchrony to the forefront, care providers working with breastfeeding families can help to cultivate optimal parent-infant interactions and lay the foundation for healthy developmental trajectories.
As a Pediatrician and an IBCLC, Shacchee is attracted to ways of promoting health and well-being for families. She transitioned to lactation support 14 years ago after her first daughter was born, realising the felt need for skilled Lactation Support in her community.
She works at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India, and heads a Lactation team, supporting families in their antenatal, intra-natal and postnatal periods. She also trains medical and paramedical staff in skilled lactation support.
She is the current President and Executive Team member of ALPI (Association of Lactation Professionals India). She works as a clinical instructor, helping train future lactation professionals in various aspects of Skills, Ethics, Scope of Practise and Communication.
She co-ordinates between Public and Private healthcare bodies to provide equitable lactation support across her community.
She is an advocate of teamwork in supporting dyads with special lactation challenges (oral restrictions/ NICU babies etc) and has been working to bring experts from different fields together for comprehensive lactation support.
Working with different teams locally and nationally allowed her to achieve the goal of making, "skilled lactation support a reality in India."
Married to Vipul, they have two super girls Navya (14) and Ayana(11).
This presentation will support the learner to view lactation support through the lens of bodily autonomy. There is so much debate about a parent’s bodily autonomy vis-a-vis baby’s rights where breastfeeding and lactation is concerned. Bodily autonomy is defined as one's right to govern what happens to their body without influence or coercion. Birth and breastfeeding are two very crucial periods in a parent's life. During these time periods parents often struggle with maintaining their bodily autonomy. If lactation support and the breastfeeding experience are empowering for the parent, they can develop self-confidence in taking care of their child’s needs and are more likely to be empowered in other spheres of their lives as well.
Conversely, if lactation support is not optimal, it can leave the parent traumatized and create long term mental and physical health consequences. Understanding bodily autonomy and ways to support a family by nurturing their autonomy, in addition to providing skilled lactation support, helps with better care plans, better self-efficacy of parents, and thus better health outcomes for the entire family.
Dr. Shela Hirani is an Associate Professor at the University of Regina, Faculty of Nursing, Canada. She is a breastfeeding advocate, neonatal and child health nursing professional, leader for the health of women and young children, academician, researcher, mentor, and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Dr. Hirani has an established program of research "Breastfeeding Advocacy Research: Program, Policies and Practices (BARPPP) that aims to promote, protect and support breastfeeding practices of women in diverse community-based settings, including hospitals, disaster relief camps, mothers' workplace setting, child daycare center, and post-secondary institutions of low-income, middle-income and high-income countries.
Dr Hirani received Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Government of Saskatchewan, Canada. She is recognized by World Health Organization as one of 100 outstanding women nurses in 2020. In 2022, she received "Multicultural Leadership Award" and "The YWCA Nutrien Women of Distinction Award". She is also the recipient of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing's Emerging Nurse Researcher award 2020, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Award and the Honorary Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship Award for her outstanding academic excellence, community services, leadership and contribution for knowledge development in nursing. Recently, she was inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who's is Who biographical registry.
During disaster and displacement, the affected families often receive humanitarian aid from a variety of governmental/non-governmental organizations and donor agencies. Very limited information is available on the effects of humanitarian aid on the breastfeeding practices of mothers affected by disaster and displacement. Recent research has shown that although humanitarian aid facilitated survival, health, and well-being of the displaced mothers and their family members, there are various pitfalls surrounding humanitarian aid that increase the vulnerability and negatively affected breastfeeding practices of displaced mothers. Learn more about the 3 major themes that were identified by the latest research and recommendations surrounding humanitarian aid targeting breastfeeding mothers residing in disaster relief camps.
As a seasoned RN and IBCLC, I have been blessed to work with thousands of mom & baby dyads. More importantly, I have 4 amazing grown children and have 2 beautiful grandchildren.
In 1991, I started my career as a labor and delivery nurse. In 2005 I became an IBCLC. I have worked in many different areas that have enhanced my experiences and knowledge to help moms and babies.
In 2011, I founded my private practice, Baby's Best Beginning. I have the pleasure to assist moms and babies in the office and home setting when things don't always go as planned. Before going 100% private practice, I worked in the second largest pediatric hospital on the lactation team and as the NICU Lactation Educator.
In 2017 I graduated from an esteemed yoga training program to teach as a registered yoga teacher. I also have training as a certified infant massage therapist, essential oils wellness advocate, reiki master and have completed 2 levels of craniosacral therapy. Most recently I completed a transformative nurse coaching program and plan to sit for board certification.
My recent interests include sharing my love of yoga, meditation, and breath work, specifically with lactation professionals, to help decrease the stressors in our current world and work place in an organic way.
Currently, occupational stressors and burnout are at an all-time high. Lactation professionals are not immune to this phenomenon. Lactation professionals often work in very demanding and stressful environments. They are very skilled at caring for their clients. They adeptly help new mothers learn to nourish their babies; however, they often lack prioritizing self care to enhance their own health and mental wellbeing. Overtime, stressors that are not addressed, can cause unhappiness and stress related diseases in the body. This presentation was created to bring awareness to the levels and causation of stressors, find better balance in the workplace, and to create an individualized care plan to bring more harmony and wellness to ultimately avoid occupational burnout.
After experiencing poor lactation care from an IBCLC with her first, Summer immediately knew she wanted to change her career path by becoming an IBCLC. She knew then that she could help make a difference and change it so that more families could have GREAT lactation care! That path started by Summer being "raised" by La Leche League, going to support groups and becoming an Accredited Leader and then sitting for her IBCLC Boards. After 5 years of LLL Leadership, She weaved her way into the clinical setting and spent 10 years as the hospital IBCLC giving GREAT care to postpartum families. In 2019, she moved onto her next chapter, left the hospital world, and now has been operating her full-time private practice helping local families in Kansas City and virtually helping families all over the world. Additionally, Summer has a YouTube channel which is her way of continuing community outreach in a relevant way for the fast-paced social world. She really loves creating videos that are short, bite-sized and easily digestable so that families can watch at any hour of the day, many tell her, even while breastfeeding and pumping!
The journey of lactation support has been remarkable, with a lineage tracing back 400 years to the use of nipple shields. Over centuries, with understandable skepticism, the transition of materials and innovation has ushered these aids from obscurity to mainstream use. Today, the repertoire has expanded to include silicone collection cups, diverse pumping systems, and specialized approaches for NICU settings. As with many accouterments in the realm of lactation, awareness regarding the appropriate indications, risks, and the plethora of styles available is crucial. These tools are multifaceted, capable of aiding parents in achieving their breastfeeding goals when used properly, yet posing challenges if misapplied. The discussion will extend to encapsulate the dynamics of hands-free solutions, offering a holistic view of the contemporary lactation toolkit.
Swati Temkar is a Mother Support Group Leader since 2002 (trained & certified by BPNI Maharashtra) & IBCLC since 2010. She is a Senior Faculty of BPNI Maharashtra participating as a Trainer in over 100 workshops for Health Care Providers at all levels in 6 states of India including Maharashtra in collaboration with UNICEF. She is also a BFHI Assessor.
Working in Private & Municipal Institutional hospitals, small private hospitals & home visits; she has helped more than 20000 mothers for successful breastfeeding & has over 25000 hours of lactation counselling experience over last 20 years. She has ample experience in video consultation, helping mothers locally, nationally & internationally. She is very passionate about helping new mothers to breastfeed successfully with new ideas.
She has participated in multiple TV - Radio programmes & written articles in newspaper. She has contributed to multiple training modules, presentations, videos for BPNI Maharashtra, UNICEF & Government of Maharashtra. She participated in Global Breastfeeding Partners Meeting (GBPM) organized by WABA at Penang, Malaysia in 2010.
Bestowed with prestigious Dr. N. B. Kumta Award during World Breastfeeding Week 2023 for achievements in the field of Breastfeeding Promotion.
Adversity during the vulnerable postpartum period can have a profound impact on physical, mental & psychological outcomes. Pain (various types) is a common adversity & hence every Lactation Care Provider should have sufficient knowledge & skills to deal with different types of breastfeeding associated pains. There are 4 different types of breastfeeding related pains experienced by mothers; namely, back pain, hand pain, perineal pain & nipple pain. It is important to understand the basis of these pains for prevention & relief. The root cause of most of these pains is related to inappropriate attachment & positioning while breastfeeding. Many accessories have been developed, such as breastfeeding pillows, to help with positioning. Not everyone can afford such accessories however, so join me to explore how to use objects that are easy to find around the home to help with positioning.
Tiara Caldwell, LPN IBCLC, has been a maternal and infant health advancement champion for over ten years, starting with her work as a community doula and mental health professional. She became certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2015 and, shortly after, began work as a private practice practitioner and working part-time in the hospital setting.
She owns Crowned & Cradled LLC, a company in the DC Metro area that provides doula support and lactation services. Tiara is known as a compassionate caregiver and savvy businesswoman in her community and field.
Her areas of expertise range from prenatal education, support for families of multiples, and ways for business owners to find their unique voices and craft marketing efforts to mirror them. Tiara has presented at various conferences and received raving reviews and additional business growth opportunities.
The heart of Tiara's work is providing families with the keys they need to have successful feeding experiences in a judgment-free space. Being a mother of four children and navigating multiple unique family structures herself, Tiara can offer a culturally appropriate, sensitive, and respectful approach to care to encourage families to reach their goals. She does this by continuing to collaborate and contribute to community organizations with support groups and classes and co-hosting a podcast called Birth. Ish.
As the number of families headed by one-parent and more diverse family structures drastically increases, it is critical for lactation professionals to consider the clinical implications of providing care to these families. This population is increasing globally. More individuals choose to have unique family structures, whether choosing to wait until an older age to become a parent independent of a partner, multi-generational families with grandparents or other elders cohabiting with the family, or same-sex couples who start a family. These unique family structures can also be, but are not always, established due to loss, trauma, or financial strain. These families need special care and consideration when approaching their lactation and infant feeding care. As a result, they may receive care plans and information which does not fit their real life situation and leaves them with misguided advice, a lack of confidence, and isolation. Learners will take away the skills to identify these populations' unique needs and consider factors contributing to their feeding success or failure. We will review active listening, motivational interviewing, and critical thinking skills. We will also discuss ways to deal with existing biases and work as a team to achieve feeding success. Lastly, learners will take away skills to assist these families in managing expectations, establishing and maintaining boundaries, and achievable goal setting.
Dr. Speakers Full Name
Speaker Credentials
Annet Mulder first became interested in breastfeeding in the year 2000, when she became a mother for the first time. During and because of her own breastfeeding experiences, in 2002 she became a volunteer with the Dutch breastfeeding Organization and in 2008 sat for and passed the exam administered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, she now
Annet Mulder first became interested in breastfeeding in the year 2000, when she became a mother for the first time. During and because of her own breastfeeding experiences, in 2002 she became a volunteer with the Dutch breastfeeding Organization text text text text more name mulder first became interested in breastfeeding in the year 2000, when she became.
Dr. Speakers Full Name
Speaker Credentials