Alison Hazelbaker, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA, CST, RCST

The therapeutic relationship between the breastfeeding mother and her helper depends upon the establishment of a positive rapport through the use of effective communication strategies. Application of these skills in clinical practice enhances the relationship between the helper and her client. These same skills can be used to establish trust and rapport in professional relationships increasing the ability for lactation consultants to make positive change in their work environments.

This presentation focuses on the set of skills necessary to get mothers talking and keep them talking about the joys and challenges they face in their breastfeeding relationship. From active listening to negotiation and conflict resolution, this session will provide information on the conceptual basis underlying good communication and teaches the proper way to establish rapport and trust in therapeutic relationships using various proven communication strategies.

The Hazelbaker™ FingerFeeder remains the only device approved by the FDA for finger feeding. In this presentation, Dr. Hazelbaker briefly reminisces about the history of the FingerFeeder’s development. She presents and discusses its therapeutic power as a training tool, a proper-suck maintenance tool, and as a device used to support other forms of therapy like cranio-sacral. She then covers and demonstrates assembly, cleaning and proper use. Participants will get to handle the FingerFeeder thereby creating muscle memory for assembling, disassembling and using the product. As desired, case histories will illustrate the FingerFeeder’s efficacy as an alternative feeding device that ultimately supports the establishment of optimal breastfeeding.

Although an alternative feeding method, such as bottle, cup or finger feeding, represents a less than ideal way to feed infants, at times introducing one of these methods may ultimately save the breastfeeding relationship. In this session, Dr. Hazelbaker presents the research on and the theory of finger feeding. She then proposes areas for further research. She includes a sub-lecture on the physiology of finger feeding and compares finger feeding against bottle and cup from the physiological perspective. Participants come away with a new understanding of finger feeding, enabling them to make sound clinical decisions regarding a therapeutic choice when a baby must be fed away from the breast.

It unfortunately has become commonplace for newborns to refuse to latch or have tremendous difficulty latching-to the breast. A non-latching baby or a baby with significant sucking issues presents a unique and frustrating challenge to the lactation consultant. Several studies have shown the benefit of craniosacral therapy as a treatment approach to correct disorganized and dysfunctional sucking. In this exciting presentation, Dr. Hazelbaker details the anatomy and physiology of the craniosacral system, linking it to the anatomy and physiology of infant suck. She describes the multiple structural and physiological deficits of newborn sucking caused by intrauterine and intrapartum influences. She explains and demonstrates craniosacral therapy, and presents case histories of actual clients whose situations responded well to this form of therapy. Along with the benefits, Dr. Hazelbaker suggests a clinical decision-making algorithm that aids the clinician to determine if a particular infant could be helped by craniosacral therapy. This session also covers indications for treating the breastfeeding mother with CST.

Regrettably, infant sucking problems are on the rise due to a variety of influences. Lactation consultants often find themselves unable to assist a breastfeeding dyad with sucking issues, sometimes because the sucking problem is too complex, but also because their ability to assess and determine the type of sucking problem is not well developed. Dr. Hazelbaker reviews normal suck physiology then describes in detail the ways in which disorganized and dysfunctionally sucking babyies deviate from this norm. As well, Dr. Hazelbaker describes the differences between oral-motor sucking issues and sensory sucking issues. An accurate assessment leads to appropriate and timely interventions. The participant will come away from this presentation with a better understanding of infant sucking pathology that will enable them to address the sucking problem quickly and effectively.

From intrauterine lie and intrapartum narcotic pain-relief to circumcision, multiple factors influence the preservation of the Suck/Swallow/Breathe developmental reflex that sets the stage for optimal breastfeeding. In this presentation, Dr. Hazelbaker examines the ways in which infant suck can be undermined from a psychological and structural perspective. She discusses both intrauterine and intrapartum cranial molding and the influence of obstructions and interventions on the normal molding process. She discusses aversive behaviors and pre-birth and birth trauma as negative influences on breastfeeding. Dr. Hazelbaker presents treatment suggestions for both the psychological and physiological components with emphasis on body-mind and transpersonal therapies.

In this one day seminar originally presented by Lact-Ed, Inc. and Lact-Ed, LLC, Dr. Hazelbaker presents a brief review of breast anatomy and physiology, and milk synthesis including the latest findings on the subject. She then covers assessment of the lactating breast. A discussion of Early, Late and Sudden Onset nipple problems and their treatments follows. Dr. Hazelbaker then addresses various breast problems including engorgement, mastitis, and tissue trauma. Case histories illustrating treatment strategies for both breast and nipple issues round out this section of the seminar. Dr. Hazelbaker also discusses milk supply issues, including a brief overview of PCOS and other endogenous and secondary causes of low supply and their treatment. She then addresses breast pain of unknown origin, safe weaning and consequences of inadequate or improper treatment. She places emphasis on collaboration and referral when a team approach is indicated.