ILCA 2025 Annual Conference (31 CERPs) offers the full spectrum of education presented at ILCA’s premier global gathering—bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, educators, and advocates to advance the future of lactation care. This comprehensive package spans policy and systems change, clinical innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, global health, mental health, oral anatomy, NICU care, disaster response, and emerging science in nutrition, microbiome, and epigenetics.

Beyond the Basics: Cutting‑Edge Topics Every Lactation Consultant Must Know (11 CERPs) delivers an advanced, clinically rich collection of sessions designed for lactation professionals who want to deepen their expertise and stay ahead of emerging trends. This package explores the newest science in nutrition and the microbiome, mental health and oxytocin, insulin resistance, GLP‑1 medication use, and oral anatomy—while also addressing rapidly evolving practice areas such as NICU innovation, lactation support for incarcerated parents, and prenatal risk screening.

Strengthening Lactation Systems: Education, Collaboration, and Global Advocacy (11 CERPs) brings together leading researchers, clinicians, policy experts, and global advocates to explore how strong, equitable lactation systems are built—and sustained. This package equips lactation professionals with the knowledge and tools to advance resilient first‑food systems, strengthen interdisciplinary care models, respond to emergencies, integrate emerging technologies, and uphold global policy protections.

Across 11 sessions, participants will learn how to translate evidence into practice, collaborate across professions, engage in global advocacy, and elevate their own professional voice. From AI in lactation care to grassroots disaster‑response mapping, from exclusive pumping research to WHA‑driven digital marketing protections, this collection offers a comprehensive look at the forces shaping the future of breastfeeding support worldwide.

This package is ideal for IBCLCs, clinicians, educators, program leaders, and advocates seeking to deepen their impact at the systems level while earning 11 CERPs.

Speaker(s): Susan Howard

Supplementation is sometimes medically or socially indicated—for example, when mother–infant separation, poor weight gain, or low milk supply occurs. When a breastfeeding infant requires supplementation but refuses the bottle, parents may feel overwhelmed, and lactation care providers face clinical challenges. While there are multiple methods of supplementation, some families will choose to use a bottle and bottle teat. Supporting that choice with skill and evidence-based strategies is essential to maintaining the breastfeeding relationship and meeting the infant’s nutritional needs.

This skills-based session offers practical approaches for supplementing breastfed infants who are breastfeeding but require supplementation and refusing bottle teats. Participants will explore the interaction among infant reflexes, oral anatomy, bottle teat design, and caregiver technique using anatomical infant-head models and a variety of bottle–teat systems. The session will address common causes of bottle refusal—such as bottle teat selection, infant stability, oral tension, and pressure feeding—and their impact on the parent–infant dyad.

Through hands-on practice with TieLER mouth models and dolls, attendees will apply oral exercises, positioning techniques, and bottle feeding strategies that improve infant coordination and feeding.

This workshop equips lactation professionals with evidence-informed skills to support families choosing bottle supplementation while protecting the breastfeeding relationship.

Speaker(s): Jimi Francis

This case report describes the clinical management and advocacy required to support a breastfeeding mother facing multiple rare and complex medical diagnoses. The patient—a 32-year-old first-time mother—presented with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), autoimmune autonomic neuropathy, a right atrial thrombus caused by port placement, and a rapidly growing phyllodes breast tumor diagnosed during pregnancy. She experienced both immediate and delayed postpartum hemorrhage, which required blood transfusions. Despite these significant challenges, the family’s commitment to breastfeeding remained firm. At delivery, skin-to-skin contact was initiated immediately, and the IBCLC was present during the birth. Early assessment identified Class I ankyloglossia, which was corrected by an ENT specialist on day 3. Infant feeding was supported with donor milk delivered via syringe and finger feeding, along with orofacial exercises and temporary use of a nipple shield. A partial mastectomy was performed urgently, and milk production was maintained through careful lactation management. Over time, the infant transitioned to effective unilateral breastfeeding. This case underscores the vital role of skilled lactation care in managing rare and complex overlapping conditions. Clinical lactation strategies, clear communication, and interprofessional collaboration—especially between the IBCLC and the family’s osteopathic physician—were essential in preserving milk supply, respecting parental goals, and ensuring long-term breastfeeding success. The mother continued breastfeeding her infant until he was 18 months old. This case illustrates how personalized care, rooted in clinical excellence and advocacy, can help medically complex families overcome significant barriers to achieve their breastfeeding objectives.

Speaker(s): Linda J. Smith

The WHO-UNICEF BFHI Competency Verification Toolkit was released by WHO and UNICEF in August 2020. Since then, numerous countries have successfully used the components of the Toolkit to meet BFHI Step 2 requirements: Ensure that staff have sufficient knowledge, competence and skills to support breastfeeding. This workshop is intended to provide participants a detailed view and practice in meeting the Performance Indicators that implement Foundational Skills; in other words that require a conversation with the pregnant woman or nursing mother. It’s not sufficient that a provider “knows the right information” or can assist a mother to perform a skill; it is equally important that a supportive attitude be demonstrated through use of Foundational (communication / counseling) skills.

Speaker(s): Ellen M. Chetwynd, PhD MPH IBCLC

Breastfeeding is a system that functions across two bodies. Resilience is achieved when both bodies work in equilibrium. As lactation consultants, we know this, yet the methods we have to address breastfeeding problems can increase the parents' workload (e.g. triple feeding, compressions, supplementation) without addressing the infant’s contribution (or lack of contribution) to feeding function.

This session explores breastfeeding through the lens of infant physiokinetics, focusing on how an infant’s physical movements reflect and influence suck efficiency. Rather than isolating oral structures or latch technique, we examine the baby’s entire body, from toes through trunk to head and facial muscles, assessing how postural adaptations can support efficiency or obstruct oral motor skills.

Attendees will learn to assess infant body patterning, including spinal arching, elevated shoulders, facial tension, or a persistent occipital crease. These signs offer clues to how a baby is working to maintain suction, seal, and flow, and whether that work is functional or requires excessive effort in focused areas. We integrate full assessments of suck at the breast using the Infant Suck Strength Exam (ISSE), visualization of tongue motion, and observation of body dynamics both during and outside of feeding.

Understanding the infant’s body as an active participant in lactation helps clinicians identify dysfunction at its source and support feeding improvements through targeted body-based interventions. By recalibrating the embodied workload between parent and baby, we can restore functional balance and promote resilience in the breastfeeding relationship.

Speaker(s): Bonnie L. Higgins

This presentation will include four simulations to meet the competency-based learning in the Baby Friendly USA (BFUSA) guidelines. BFUSA emphasizes ensuring direct care providers possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to support breastfeeding effectively. Our training simulations are designed to equip health care providers with foundational skills for engaging and supporting families with breast/chest feeding.

Simulations goals
• Create a safe and controlled setting for providers to practice their skills without fear of negatively impacting a patient.
• Allow providers to gain confidence in their ability to provide comprehensive lactation support and manage common challenges.
• Provide valuable hands-on learning experiences, especially for new providers who may have limited opportunities to practice breastfeeding management during clinical rotations.

Simulation Scenarios:
1. Scenario Title: Weight loss with high bilirubin (DHM use)
2. Scenario Title: 36-week twins, one in NICU one rooming in
3. Scenario Title: The Sleepy Infant
4. Scenario Title: Difficult/No latch (same sex couple)

These simulations will enhance learners to take a feeding history, troubleshoot latch on difficulties, start a pumping session, plot out NEWT, utilize DHM, supplement using alternative feeding methods, discuss late preterm feeding behaviors, utilize nipple shields, assess chest/breasts, and hand expression.

Target duration: 10-minute simulation: 15-minute debrief

Debriefing sessions are crucial for reinforcing learning, reflecting on performance, and applying best practices. Past participant reflections:

• “I liked the opportunities to talk through the different scenarios”
• “I gained extra tools in my breastfeeding toolbox”
• “I feel more confident in the care that I give”

Speaker(s):
Love M. Anderson
Julia F. Bourg

This workshop, "Ready to Respond: Essential Skills for Lactation Support Providers in Disaster Relief," equips International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and other lactation support providers with crucial knowledge and practical strategies to support families with young infants during emergencies. Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of this population, the workshop moves beyond standard clinical practice to address complex challenges and resource limitations in disaster settings.

Participants will learn about the impacts of disasters on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and the critical role of breastfeeding. The workshop focuses on practical skills through real-life scenarios inspired by events like Hurricane Helene. Topics include: rapid needs assessment, managing resources (people, supplies, time), addressing breastfeeding challenges in stressful conditions, safe formula preparation without clean water, and culturally sensitive communication. We'll also cover navigating ethical dilemmas, collaboration with responders, and self-care.

Through interactive discussions and role-playing, participants will apply new skills in a safe environment. By the end, participants will be better prepared to integrate their expertise into disaster relief, contributing to improved health outcomes and increased resilience for families in crisis.

Independent Study Module for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants®

ILCA Independent Study Module: ISM 9 - The Results of Different Heating Temperatures on Activities of Bioactive Proteins in Human Milk

Source: Journal of Human Lactation,2023, Vol. 39(2) 300-307

Authors:

Jie Zhang, MSc,
John A. Duley, PhD,
David M. Cowley, PhD,
Paul N. Shaw, PhD,
Peng Zhou, PhD,
Pieter Koorts, MD,
and Nidhi Bansal, PhD

KEY TIPS FOR COMPLETING THIS MODULE:

1. Be sure to read the article more than once.

2. Read key messages and charts within the article.

3. Reference the article as you answer the questions.

4. Pay attention to keywords in the question prompt to help in locating the article section which contains the answer.

5. Reference the learning objectives of the study module in order to answer questions.

Upon Completion, learner will receive 1 L-CERP(s) 

Disclosures: ILCA accepts no commercial support for continuing education activities. The activity planners have no conflicts of interest to declare.

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

CERPs: ILCA is an approved provider of Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). (CLT-108-7).