Speaker(s): Larry Noble, MD, IBCLC

Breastfeeding provides multiple lifelong biological advantages to children through mechanisms that still need to be elucidated. Scientific interest in the microbiome and epigenetics has increased dramatically in recent years. This talk discusses the role of infant feedings in shaping the bacterial flora and their effects on infections and inflammatory diseases. The presentation will also explore the important role of human milk microRNAs (miRNAs), which inhibit translation of RNA into protein in the infant and help determine the infant's phenotype. If this human milk miRNA-epigenetic regulatory circuit is disrupted by formula, normal physiological functions could be disrupted, contributing to various disease processes. As epigenetic changes can last for the life of the infant, human milk miRNAs are responsible for determining the infant’s phenotype during breastfeeding and throughout the life of the infant.

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): 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): 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): Ivy M. Bagley, DNP MSN APRN FNP-C IBCLC CDP NHDP-BC PMH-BC

Lactation professionals often serve as the first and most consistent point of contact for families during the postpartum period—yet the experiences and emotional needs of fathers are frequently overlooked. As more families seek inclusive and family-centered care, it is essential that International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are equipped to recognize and support the evolving role of fathers in infant feeding and early parenting.

This presentation will discuss the psychological, relational, and emotional challenges that fathers may face during the postpartum period. From paternal perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) to the stress of navigating new family dynamics, fathers are vulnerable to emotional struggles that can influence bonding, lactation outcomes, and overall family well-being.

Lactation professionals will learn how to recognize early signs of emotional distress in fathers, engage them meaningfully in feeding discussions, and promote a supportive environment that values their role. By broadening the scope of lactation care to include and support fathers, IBCLCs can help strengthen parental confidence, improve mental health outcomes, and ultimately contribute to more resilient and connected families.

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.

Speaker(s): Gina Weissman, DMD, RN, IBCLC, FABM 

Many infants undergo surgical intervention for ""upper lip tie” (ULT) to improve breastfeeding. However, the effect of ULT on breastfeeding and if surgical correction improves outcomes is still poorly understood with scant and contradictory data. There are multiple reasons for the limited amount of data including the lack of a standard definition for ULT which has led to ambiguity regarding a normal vs. abnormal frenulum and which may benefit from correction.
This presentation will summarize and analyze the current literature on upper lip tie, its impact on breastfeeding and utility of therapeutic surgical intervention. I will also suggest a novel classification and a practical clinical guide, and trouble shooting chart.

Speaker(s):Susan Howard
Co-Author(s): Rishita Jaju 

Difficulties in infant feeding extend beyond breastfeeding challenges in newborns. Many mother-infant dyads necessitate bottle supplementation, which may be compromised by tethered oral tissues (TOTs) such as lip or tongue ties. A collaborative model of care between lactation consultants and release providers is crucial for successful outcomes in independent community settings. This presentation will delineate the lactation provider's role in assessing oral function, safeguarding milk supply and intake, and preparing the infant and family for a release procedure. The presentation will also address the release provider's role in evaluation, release, and subsequent follow-up care. Strategies for collaboration and communication will be presented to facilitate the resumption of feeding, wound management, suck training, and emotional support. It is established that appropriate pre-release preparation and post-release support optimize outcomes; however, implementation remains a challenge. This presentation will examine the repercussions of failed collaboration on families and propose strategies to enhance feeding outcomes through effective communication and coordinated care.

Speaker(s): Mirine Richey

The Prenatal Evaluation and Referral for Lactation (PEARL) tool was developed and content-validated through a Delphi consensus process with lactation experts to assist providers in identifying prenatal risk factors that may impact secretory activation. These factors, including metabolic, hormonal, or anatomical issues, can compromise breastfeeding duration outcomes if not addressed during pregnancy. The PEARL tool facilitates timely, anticipatory guidance and referral to lactation care, aiming to improve breastfeeding duration and maternal-infant health, and is compatible with integration into electronic health records to support standardized prenatal screening and streamlined referral pathways.

Speaker(s): Lesli Gould

Babies Beyond Bars is a trauma-informed, community-based model supporting lactation and maternal health for incarcerated mothers. This session outlines a replicable program providing education, lactation and doula care, pumping equipment, and breastmilk transport for correctional settings. Attendees will learn actionable strategies for navigating institutional barriers, supporting pump-dependent lactation, and coordinating care across facilities. Designed for lactation and maternal-child health professionals, this presentation reframes breastfeeding behind bars as a right and highlights how targeted support can restore connection and improve maternal, infant and familial outcomes.