Tracks: Clinical Skills (Education and Communication), Clinical Skills (Public Health and Advocacy)

IBCLCs and skilled lactation care providers around the world face opportunities and challenges when it comes to gaining the training and skills they need to provide care, finding work opportunities, getting paid or reimbursed for their services, meeting the needs of underserved communities, working within the local and national health care system, being recognized by other health care providers and the government, and more. These opportunities and challenges may vary by country or region of the world, and there can be similarities and differences across local areas or practice settings, among countries, and among regions. Hear from an international panel of skilled lactation care providers as they share perspectives from their regions (United States, Uganda, Romania, Malaysia) and discuss possible strategies to address challenges and move the profession forward.

Learning Objectives: 

• Identify common challenges faced by lactation consultants around the world
• Identify possible solutions to those challenges that will allow for an increase in providing skilled lactation care globally
• Discuss the need for global advocacy for the lactation consulting profession

Speakers: 
Lisa Mandell, MBA, IBCLC – Global Advocacy Adviser, ILCA
Nadrah Arfizah Arfin, MBBS, MPH, Dr – President, Malaysian Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor Association (MBfPCA)
Paulina Erices, MS, IBCLC – Co-Founder, Cuenta Conmigo; Chair- Elect U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
Daiva Sniukaite, IBCLC, MA, ELACTA Vice President, Founder and President Lithuanian Lactation and Breastfeeding Consultant Association, founder Mother to Mother support organization Pradziu Pradzia, BFHI assessor

This session qualifies for 1.25 hours of L-CERP credit.

Tracks: Clinical Skills (Public Health and Advocacy), Clinical Skills (Research)

Contributing to a scientific journal can be intimidating, but publishing your practice innovations is critical to move the lactation field forward . If you are not in academia, but have a good idea, how do you move it from idea to publication? The Journal of Human Lactation believes in the ideas that are generated in the field and provides opportunities to publish using a variety of formats. We will be discussing the common pitfalls in scientific publishing for new authors and covering tips and tricks that can make submitting a manuscript more approachable.

Learning Objectives: 

• Explore the challenges of moving innovative lactation practice techniques or advocacy into research journals
• Define formats that can simplify publication of lactation practice techniques or advocacy
• State one “tip” or “trick” for submitting a practice or advocacy manuscript to the Journal of Human Lactation.

Speakers: 
Ellen M. Chetwynd, PhD MPH IBCLC – Editor in Chief of the Journal of Human Lactation, Journal of Human Lactation
Jill Demirci, PhD, RN, IBCLC – Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh

This session qualifies for 1.50 hours of L-CERP credit.

Tracks: Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology, Clinical Skills (Ethical and Legal Issues), Clinical Skills (Public Health and Advocacy)

The ILO report Care at Work: Investing in Care Leave Policies and Care Services for a More Gender-Equal World of Work (ILO, 2022) provides a global overview of national laws and practices regarding care policies, namely maternity protection, paternity, parental and other care-related leave policies, as well as childcare and long-term care services. The report presents findings from an ILO legal survey of 185 countries, and reviews progress made around the world over the past decade while assessing the persisting and significant legal gaps that translate into a lack of protection and support for millions of workers with family responsibilities across the world. It also offers a macrosimulation model on how to close the gap between these standards and the practice. Drawing on the results of the Care at Work report and the ILO Care Policy Investment Simulator (ILO, 2023), this presentation will provide a review of the status and progress of legislation on care policies with focus on maternity, breastfeeding and other childcare-related leave policies around the world. It will also presents the investment case and the benefits of a transformative package of care policies, including support for childcare-related leave and breastfeeding.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn about progress and legal gaps on care policies, with focus on childcare-related leave and breastfeeding at work.
• Learn about the investment requirements and benefits of public policies supporting transformative care policy packages, with focus on childcare-related leave and breastfeeding at work.
• Discover ILO international labour standards, research and tools.

Speakers: 
Laura Addati, MS – Senior Maternity Protection and Work-Family Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO)

This session qualifies for 1.25 hours of R-CERP credit.

Tracks: Development and Nutrition, Clinical Skills (Equipment and Technology)

Breast milk composition has an intimate association with infant growth and can be critical for long-term health. While evidence has shown that breast milk microbiota can directly seed the infant gut microbiome, information relevant to milk bacterial community development during the different stages of lactation and maternal demographics, anthropometrics, and dietary habits is limited particularly in LMIC as mothers from high income countries populate the vast majority of human milk microbiome studies. 

Here we will present how high-resolution microbiome technology developed in the space sciences was used to study the microbiome of Mam-Mayan mothers living in eight remote rural communities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, where nearly all mothers comply with World Health Organization's recommendation to breastfeed for six months. We observed changes in milk bacteria over the first 6 months of lactation that was associated with maternal and infant characteristics. Milk bacterial communities were associated with maternal factors. Higher microbial diversity was supported by having a healthy BMI, the absence of subclinical mastitis and by breastfeeding practices. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with more differentially abundant bacteria, including commensal and lactic acid bacteria whereas the addition of agüitas (herbal teas) and/or complementary foods introduced more environmentally sourced bacteria to the milk microbiome ecosystem. Findings show possible associations of the milk microbiome with infant weight, length and head circumference in breastfed infants    < 6 months of age. In conclusion, the milk microbiome ecosystem is a dynamically changing ecosystem that requires further investigation given its association with maternal and infant health.

Learning Objectives: 

• Examine the importance of microbiome observation in breast milk
• Explain the strengths and weaknesses of different microbiome tools
• Discuss how to take the most meaning from milk microbiome information

Speakers: 
Emmanuel Gonzalez, PhD – Bioinformatics Specialist, Biostatistician, Microbiomics Team Lead, McGill University
Tamara Ajeeb – Ph.D. Candidate, McGill University

This session qualifies for 1.25 hours of L-CERP credit.

Tracks: Clinical Skills (Ethical and Legal Issues), Clinical Skills (Public Health and Advocacy)

What happens when infant formula is not available because of supply chain disruptions or natural disaster? 
In 2022, the U.S. President approved important emergency supplies of formula from Australia when bacterial contamination halted a manufacturing plant run by Abbott, one of three companies which dominate the U.S., and one of five that dominate the global market for milk formula. With rising public concern about vulnerability to emergencies and climate change, reframing breastfeeding as 'first-food security' has potential to shake up conventional views on infant and young child feeding.

This plenary session discusses the promise and pitfalls of 'first-food security' as a framework for breastfeeding advocacy, using a case study from Australia. Following catastrophic bushfires in 2019-2020, and supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and floods in 2022, there was a national inquiry into food security. This opened a political 'window' to build broader coalitions and shift advocacy around breastfeeding to new forums beyond health. Understanding the politics of these processes reveals new opportunities and strategies to trigger national and global investments in breastfeeding.

Learning Objectives: 

• Identify at least 1 example of how commercial power can interfere with infant feeding policy making.
• Define breastfeeding as a "food security issue" for emergencies, everyday households and natural disasters and how that is impacted by climate change
• Discuss a local example of how to seize a political opportunity through a coalition of breastfeeding organizations (WBTi team, Australian Breastfeeding Association) and academics, using a case study from Australia

Speakers: 
Libby Salmon, BVSc, MVS, Cert IV in Breastfeeding Education (Counselling) – PhD candidate, Australian National University
Naomi Hull, RN, IBCLC, MPH – National Coordinator, World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative, Australia

This study was also supported by the authors:
Julie Smith – Honorary Associate Professor, Australian National University
Karleen Gribble – Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University

This session qualifies for 1.25 hours of L-CERP credit.

Tracks: Physiology and Endocrinology, Pathology

This presentation looks at the risk factors to milk production for parents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and altered metabolic function. We 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. This presentation will also examine the impact of ethnicity and socioeconomic status on PCOS risk and explore systemic change. We will discuss functional interventions and the development of care plans which can be individualized throughout the peripartum period to improve lactation outcomes.

Learning Objectives: 

• Identify at least 3 symptoms and common findings of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Evaluate milk production risks for patients with PCOS and the connection to metabolic function
• Identify at least 2 safe and effective interventions to support lactation for families with PCOS
• Create individualized prenatal and postpartum care plans for patients, taking into consideration the impact of personal biases and addressing risk factors associated with the condition

Speaker: 
Megan Dunn, IBCLC – Lactation Consultant, Bloom Lactation

This session qualifies for 1.50 hours of L-CERP credit.

Tracks: Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology, Techniques, Physiology and Endocrinology

Breastfeeding/chestfeeding can provide psychological and immunological support to an adopted infant. It can create an enriching bond between adoptive parents and infants. During my first-hand experience with adoptive breastfeeding, I came across various challenges, leading me to a professional journey of helping other adoptive parents meet their feeding goals. This presentation is about the challenges and impacts of adoptive breastfeeding, how it benefits parent- baby dyad, and role of family/support systems in adoptive breastfeeding through the lens of my personal and professional experiences.

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe techniques used in adoptive breastfeeding.
• Identify at least 1 implementational and 1 emotional challenge faced by parents opting for adoptive breastfeeding.
• Describe some possible impacts of chestfeeding for a family experiencing adoption
• Summarize the Newman Goldfarb protocol of induced lactation.

Speakers: 
Ojas Suniti Vinay, MSc Biodiversity – IBCLC, Sushrut Hospital

This session qualifies for 1.50 hours of L-CERP credit.

Tracks: Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology, Clinical Skills (Education and Communication)

Breastfeeding/chestfeeding is a highly embodied and sensory experience. Neurodivergent individuals may present with sensory processing challenges and experience significant barriers to achieving their feeding goals. This presentation will include an interactive discussion on how providers in the lactation space can support for neurodiverse families, including clinical and operational strategies for meeting the needs of this population.  

Learning Objectives: 

• Recognize at least 2 diagnoses that are classified under the neurodivergent umbrella.
• Identify 2 barriers that a person with sensory processing challenges may experience when carrying out a feeding plan.
• Identify 2 areas of process improvement in your practice that can help screen the patient appropriately and accommodate the sensory needs of your dyad.

Speakers: 
Sabrina Barber, BSN, RN, IBCLC, CD, Motherly Love Lactation Services/Co-Founder of Baby BLISS Feeding Collaborative of Central Florida, LLC

This study was also supported by the authors:
Annette Leary, RN, BSN, IBCLC, Baby BLISS : Central Florida Feeding Collaborative, Orlando Lactation and Wellness Services
Shana Quarrie, Occupational Therapist, Baby BLISS Feeding Collaborative of Central Florida

This session qualifies for 1.50 hours of R-CERP credit.

Tracks: Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology, Clinical Skills (Education and Communication), Clinical Skills (Public Health and Advocacy)

Breastfeeding, chest-feeding and human milk feeding as a physiologic norm is a traditional and cultural practice for Black and Indigenous families. Leaning into the framework of "First Do No Harm", understanding one's own bias and misconceptions while honoring the legacy work of those who are doing systems change, is a necessary strategy in addressing systemic issues that have impacted those most marginalized by racism and colonialism. Utilizing storytelling and case studies, this session will give clear examples of how honoring traditional practices and the work, care and support given by representative community-based organizations, plays a major role in positive birth, breastfeeding and chest-feeding experiences for Black and Indigenous folx.

Learning Objectives: 

• Recognize the unjust implications that systemic racism in lactation care has for Black and Indigenous families and the lasting impacts on future generations
• Identify how bias in lactation care leads to harm
• Demonstrate strategies to improve experiences in lactation care among Black and Indigenous families 

Speakers: 
Jennifer Day, IBCLC, RLC – Co-Founder, Southeast Michigan IBCLC's of Color 

This session qualifies for 1.25 hours of E-CERP credit.

Tracks: Clinical Skills (Ethical and Legal Issues)

Imagine a lactation care plan that is perfectly legal...but inconsistent with your moral compass. How do you navigate this tension? This session offers down-to-earth explanations of legal, ethical, and moral duties to the patient/client. We will explore examples from the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) literature, delve a bit deeper in a few "hot topics" that present the most common “potholes” for practitioners, and ponder realistic hypothetical stories that put the learning into practice.

Learning Objectives: 

• Name one document for a clinical practice guidance that is: (1) mandatory, (2) voluntary,  and (3) a public health directive that is voluntary unless made into law.
• Define the difference between an ethics obligation, and a legal obligation, in clinical practice.
• Explain how gifts and samples from commercial entities, to health care providers and community workers, can change professional clinical behavior.

Speaker:
Elizabeth C. Brooks, JD IBCLC FILCA – private practice IBCLC, Elizabeth C Brooks JD IBCLC (LLC)      

This session qualifies for 1.50 hours of E-CERP credit.