Speaker(s): Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC, FAPA?

Breastfeeding and depression have a complicated relationship; depressed mothers are less likely to breastfeed, yet exclusive breastfeeding lowers the risk of depression. Understanding the physiology of depression helps untangle these apparently contradictory findings. The key is understanding the stress vs oxytocin systems, which mutually suppress each other. Oxytocin suppresses stress, which in turn lowers a mother’s risk. Conversely, when stress is dominant, it suppresses oxytocin, which makes both depression and breastfeeding difficulties more likely. Both skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding release oxytocin, but suckling releases far more via different neurons. Breastfeeding is unique in its ability to inhibit the stress response. Participants will learn about the oxytocin vs stress systems and understand the physiology that protects maternal mental health.

Speaker(s):Cecilia Tomori, PhD, MA

Driven by the growing impacts of climate change, emergencies are accelerating and causing extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. Conflict has further fueled crises. Yet, in many settings emergency preparedness and response systems do not have adequate integration of appropriate training or resources for infant feeding emergencies. All infants are vulnerable in an emergency because they are immature and require frequent care and feeding to survive. However, these vulnerabilities are not distributed equally, since in emergencies formula-reliant infants are particularly vulnerable to infection, illness and death. Breastfed infants have a safe and secure source of nutrition, but they need supportive conditions to enable them to successfully continue, especially in a time like an emergency where families may struggle with many challenges. This talk will examine some of these core challenges and whether they are appropriately considered in the policy landscape via multiple examples. A systematic approach to preparedness and response policies will be applied to examine gaps and to fuel effective advocacy efforts to ensure that all infants’ needs are addressed. Ultimately, this will point the way towards policy change that ensures that lactation is considered as a key strategy towards more resilient first food systems.

Speaker(s): Miena Hall

As breastfeeding challenges grow in complexity, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in lactation care becomes increasingly vital. This presentation explores the synergistic partnership between Breastfeeding Medicine Physicians and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), highlighting how their complementary roles can enhance clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
IBCLCs provide specialized, hands-on lactation support and education, while Breastfeeding Medicine Physicians offer diagnostic and therapeutic expertise for medical conditions impacting lactation. When these professionals collaborate—through integrated clinical workflows, co-management of cases, and shared care plans—they create a robust support system that addresses both the physiological and psychosocial dimensions of breastfeeding.
Drawing on case studies and emerging models of care, this session will outline best practices for communication, referral pathways, and joint professional development. Attendees will gain insights into how collaborative care improves breastfeeding duration, increases breastfeeding confidence, and fosters a more cohesive healthcare experience for families.
This presentation proposes actionable strategies for implementing collaborative lactation care in diverse clinical settings and invites discussion on building sustainable interdisciplinary frameworks that empower both physicians and lactation providers.

Speaker(s): Larry Grummer-Strawn, PhD, MPA, MA

Access to skilled lactation support is a core priority for supporting breastfeeding throughout the world. However, the number of specialists in lactation care is extremely limited and front-line health workers typically receive very limited training on breastfeeding. Key problems with the current models for capacity building include unclear role delineation, dependence on in-service training courses, lack of assessment of competencies, and competition from the formula industry. New approaches for capacity building in a cost-effective and sustainable way are needed. This talk will discuss directions being promoted by WHO and UNICEF through the revised model for BFHI, guidance on breastfeeding counselling, training courses, a model chapter on IYCF for medical textbooks and a new breastfeeding competency verification toolkit.

Speaker(s): 
Lisa R. Mandell, MBA, IBCLC
Larry Grummer-Strawn, PhD, MPA, MA
Cecilia Tomori, PhD, MA
Ellen M. Chetwynd, PhD MPH IBCLC

The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and all subsequent, relevant resolutions is a critical element for protection of breastfeeding. However, only 17% of countries globally have enacted legislation that is substantially aligned with the Code. Even among lactation professionals, there is confusion over the Code, what it covers, how it is monitored and enforced, how it impacts research and clinical practice. The marketing of products covered under the Code has continued and expanded with the advent of pervasive digital marketing. Importantly, healthcare providers need to understand how they are targeted by these efforts. Join experts in the field for a discussion of these issues.

Speaker(s): Kristen Rosin

Insulin resistance is a significant metabolic barrier to successful lactation. Many health conditions can contribute to a person’s inability to successfully utilize the hormone insulin including Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), gestational/Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. While pharmaceutical interventions play a critical role in addressing insulin resistance, additional supportive strategies are needed—particularly within the scope of allied health professionals like International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).

In addition to a short overview on the physiological role of insulin, and how insulin resistance can complicate that process, this presentation will explore evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical interventions aimed at improving insulin sensitivity to support lactation outcomes. As IBCLCs, we are uniquely positioned as specialists to guide patients in identifying complementary strategies that can be integrated into their existing treatment plans under the supervision of their primary care providers.
Topics covered will include approachable nutritional solutions practical for postpartum families, lifestyle modifications including timing of short amounts of exercise and stress reduction while caring for a newborn, and targeted supplements that are safe for breastfeeding parents with documented evidence of supporting insulin sensitivity. Emphasis will be placed on practical, accessible approaches that empower parents to make informed decisions about their health.
By addressing insulin resistance through a holistic lens, we can promote not only improved milk production but also broader maternal metabolic health and enhanced postpartum recovery. This session is intended for educational purposes and does not substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.

Speaker(s):
Nancy M. Bernal
Maria M. Pulido
Maria Emilia Contreras

The Colombian Society of Pediatrics and the Colombian Association of Clinical Nutrition have gathered specialists with the aim of reaching national agreements on relevant and controversial topics in breastfeeding, which impact the development and growth of the infant population.
Methodology: The working group formulated 53 controversial statements following a comprehensive review of recent literature. The panel consisted of 51 specialists from fifteen associations and non-governmental organizations, emphasizing its multidisciplinary approach and regional representation. The Delphi process was conducted on a dedicated platform with online real-time discussions.
This national initiative highlights the strength of collaborative, evidence-based work and its capacity to harmonize clinical practices. Its principles and structure can serve as a model for other countries seeking to advance breastfeeding policies and professional education, reinforcing its global relevance and applicability.

Speaker(s): Dawnita Wicks

Breastfeeding is more than only nutritional; it is developmental and relational. It is time bottle-feeding instruction incorporated these elements in widespread teaching for better outcomes. Bottle-feeding is initiated in nearly 50% of newborns in the hospital and 50% are exclusively bottle fed by six months. Despite its widespread use, education on bottle-feeding is often limited, typically focusing on generalized milk volume guidelines and basic pacing techniques. These approaches rarely address infant reflexes or the bonding behaviors inherent in breastfeeding. As a result, infants may experience oral overstimulation, overfeeding, and disrupted comfort, which can reduce breastfeeding tolerance and increase parental stress. Even when feeding expressed breastmilk, supporting the infant’s natural feeding experience is essential to promoting comfort, attachment, and the benefits of responsive feeding.

TARGET AUDIANCE
Nurses, lactation consultants, pediatricians, and maternal health educators

BIONURTURING BOTTLE FEEDING TECHNIQUE
- Replicates breastfeeding positioning as closely as possible to support eye contact and comfort
- Considers the full infant feeding experience by stimulating feeding reflexes for feeding readiness
- Incorporates a comfortable feeding position to support eye contact and relaxation for baby and caregiver
- Recommends changing positions to support feeding flexibility and development like changing breasts
- Provides guided feeding volume ranges according to age and weight to match natural feeding sizes from breastfed babies.
- Includes a post-feeding transition period to support infant satiation cues and facilitate responsive caregiver interaction.

Speaker(s): Orr Cohen

Clinical case presentation - With her two oldest children, she tried very hard to breastfeed, but in the end, she exclusively pumped - twice. And still, she was very passionate to succeed this time, and breastfeed. This presentation will cover several obstacles that this mother had for successful breastfeeding directly from the breast, such as inverted nipples and gestational diabetes. I will present the professional journey we took in this case, accompanied by clinical pictures, videos, and a description of the breastfeeding counseling and support, the challenges and milestones on the way that led us, 10 days after birth - to reach exclusive physiological breastfeeding, until today, 18 months after birth, where this mother is still breastfeeding.

Speaker(s): Nyasia Countee

With rising rates of bariatric surgery and the increasing use of GLP-1 medications for weight management and diabetes, lactation professionals are more frequently encountering clients whose physiology and nutritional status may significantly impact milk production. This presentation explores the intersection of these medical interventions with lactation, providing an evidence-based overview of the anatomical, hormonal, and metabolic changes that occur post-bariatric surgery and during GLP-1 therapy.

Participants will learn how to assess and support lactating clients with a history of sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, or other surgical procedures, including identifying early signs of nutritional deficiencies that may impair lactogenesis. The presentation will also address the unique challenges posed by GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as delayed gastric emptying and appetite suppression, and their potential impact on supply, caloric intake, and medication safety during breastfeeding.

Attendees will leave with clinical strategies to create individualized care plans, including supplementing maternal nutrition, supporting milk supply, and navigating shared decision-making. This session centers on inclusive care practices and equips professionals with tools to support diverse families making complex feeding decisions.