Vergie Hughes, RN MS IBCLC FILCA

about Vergie Hughes

Vergie is a experienced and versatile speaker. She has experience working on the maternity unit of several hospitals, the NICU, a milk bank,and director of a Lactation Consultant Training Course. She has also had her own private practice. Based on her wide range of clinical experiences she can speak on many topics. Her favorites are the influence of hospital practices on the initiation of breastfeeding, breastfeeding the NICU infant and cultural issues related to breastfeeding.

official bio

Vergie Hughes has a long history of experience in Maternal Child Health including labor and delivery, post-partum and pediatrics, and for the past 25 years she has been involved in lactation management. Ms Hughes has a BSN from Pacific Lutheran University and a MS from Georgetown University. She has been a board certified lactation consultant since 1985. At Georgetown University Hospital she was the director of the Human Milk Bank, developed the National Capitol Lactation Center and The one week Lactation Consultant Training Program. This course has trained over 3,000 Lactation Consultants since its inception. She has been a private practice lactation consultant and business owner, operating her own lactation center, Washington’s Families First. Currently she is the program director of Lactation Education Resources conducting Lactation Consultant Training Programs via the internet and other continuing education courses for nurses and lactation consultants.Ms Hughes was recently honored with a “lifetime achievement award” being named a Fellow of the International Lactation Consultant Association.

presentations

Vergie Hughes is pleased to provide presentations on the following topics to professional and parenting conferences. Presentations on other topics may be available upon request and subject to sufficient development lead-time. (For CERP topics, required paperwork will be provided promptly to meet CERP deadlines)

Breastfeeding the NICU Infant
60 - Full Day minutes
CERP

Premature infants need special care from lactation consultants. This topic addresses the special techniques and skills needed to help these mothers and baby's initiate successful breastfeeding.Note: Premature infants need special care from lactation consultants. This topic addresses the special techniques and skills needed to help these mothers and baby's initiate successful breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding the Late Preterm Infant
60 - 90 minutes
CERP

Because infants born between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation generally do not require Intensive Care, they are assumed to be "fine". However, they are immature and at risk for many complications including breastfeeding difficulties. Mothers may need assistance bringing in an abundant milk supply and infants may need special techniques to establish successful breastfeeding.

New Concepts in Positioning and Latch
60 - 120 minutes
CERP

Have we gotten it wrong all these years? Let’s explore the “Old” mother-led latching and the “New” Baby-led latching. There is a place for both of these concepts in helping new mothers achieve successful breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Mothers - Working Mothers
60 - 90 minutes
CERP

It is fair to say that every mother is a working mother. And then there are some mothers who are also employed part or full time. This presents special challenges for maintaining milk supply and maintaining sanity! As the lactation consultant for the employees of a international company, she has many experiences and insights into the difficulties working women face and some innovative solutions.Note: AV requirements:
Lap top, LCD projector.

Towards Exclusive Breastfeeding
60 - Full Day minutes
CERP

Although exclusive breastfeeding for the infant's first 6months is the goal of every health advisory body and professional organization, most infants in the US receive supplementation while establishing breastfeeding. Establishing exclusive breastfeeding is a challenge! Routines in labor and delivery and in maternity units can have a profound effect on establishment of successful breastfeeding. This session will explore these routines and suggest modifications that will reduce/eliminate the need for supplementation and promote successful long term breastfeeding.