Babies are loud, active, and constantly communicating. During feeding, infants use a combination of sounds, reflexes, and body movements to signal readiness, coordinate milk transfer, and demonstrate satiety. These cues are often misunderstood by parents and even providers, leading to confusion around feeding effectiveness and infant behavior.

This session will explore the “language” of the breastfeeding dyad, including verbal and non-verbal infant cues, primitive reflexes that support feeding, and observable signs of effective milk transfer and latch. Participants will also examine how misinterpretation of normal infant behaviors can impact parental confidence and feeding outcomes.

Through practical examples and clinical observation strategies, learners will develop skills to accurately interpret infant cues and apply effective, relationship-centered communication techniques to support families during feeding sessions.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least 3 infant reflexes that influence breastfeeding coordination and latch

• Recognize signs of effective milk transfer, suck patterns, and infant satiety during a feeding

• Describe 3 characteristics of a comfortable and effective latch for the breastfeeding parent

• Demonstrate 3 communication techniques that foster connection and confidence within the breastfeeding dyad

The Lactation Consult
This comprehensive presentation equips birth and lactation professionals with the knowledge and confidence to understand the full scope of an IBCLC’s role and to implement best practices in lactation support from hospital to home. Emphasizing evidence-based care, collaboration, and timely referral, this session walks participants step-by-step through a thorough lactation consult.

Participants will learn to:

• Define the scope of practice and professional responsibilities of the IBCLC

• Describe the Code of Professional Conduct and ethical care standards

• Conduct a comprehensive lactation consult in hospital, home, and office settings

• Identify mothers and babies at risk who need early lactation intervention

• Recognize normal newborn feeding behaviors (including “Night Two” and cluster feeding)

• Assess and support effective latch and milk transfer

• Teach hand expression and appropriate pump use

• Develop collaborative, family-centered care plans

• Implement appropriate follow-up strategies

• Identify when and where to refer within the healthcare team

Key Topics Include:

• Hospital lactation support (Days 1–3)

• Alternatives to bottle supplementation

• Anatomy, latch assessment, and positioning techniques

• Engorgement and early milk supply management

• Weight checks and supply markers at 2 weeks postpartum

• Home visit protocols (private practice vs. community care)

• Office visit structure and documentation

• Communication with pediatric providers and team members

• Community barriers and equity in lactation support

• Evidence-based resources for medication safety and breastfeeding research

Ideal Audience:

• IBCLCs

• CLCs/CLEs

• Nurses (L&D, postpartum, NICU)

• Doulas

• WIC professionals

• Maternal-child healthcare providers

• Students pursuing lactation credentials

This presentation reinforces a team-based approach to breastfeeding care and empowers professionals to provide safe, competent, and compassionate lactation support across diverse care settings.

Business Health Check-Up for Practitioners

What’s the secret to longevity in lactation private practice?

Designed specifically for experienced IBCLCs and private practice lactation professionals, this session walks attendees through a comprehensive, holistic evaluation of their business health — from finances and client lifecycle to community engagement and sustainable growth.

Participants will learn how to:

• Take a comprehensive and strategic approach to assessing long-term business sustainability

• Clarify and refine their vision, values, and niche within lactation care

• Identify and track meaningful Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Calculate and leverage Lifetime Value of a Client (LTV)

• Analyze financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) with confidence

• Conduct break-even analysis and evaluate budget vs. actual performance

• Use SMART goal-setting to align daily operations with long-term growth

• Perform a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats

• Improve client retention through automation and lifecycle planning

• Diversify income streams (consults, classes, products, speaking, corporate work, collaborations)

• Strengthen referral networks and community partnerships

• Evaluate solo vs. group practice expansion strategies

Key focus areas include:

• Financial health & projections

• Marketing and referral efficiency

• Operational efficiency & service utilization

• Client satisfaction and retention metrics

• Community engagement & collaboration

• Growth planning with adaptability and resilience

Attendees leave with practical tools, measurable benchmarks, and an actionable roadmap to refine current systems, increase profitability, and build a thriving, sustainable lactation practice.

Ideal for established private practitioners ready to move from “busy” to strategic, profitable, and purpose-driven.

Provide clinical skills to help families make the most of their breastfeeding journey.

Define how the body makes milk and how to stimulate supply in early postpartum, effectively teach latching techniques to new parents.

Prioritize main concerns to create a comprehensive lactation care plan with your client.

Objectives:

• Apply clinical skills to your practice to help families meet their lactation goals
• Define the stages of lactation
• Master your teaching techniques related to latch
• Discuss 3 strategies to effectively communicate a lactation care plan.

Expanding Equity in Lactation: Connecting and Communicating to Support Client Goals & Improve Health Outcomes

An interactive, evidence-based session designed to help lactation professionals move from equality to true equity in breastfeeding support.

Participants will:

• Examine how social identity and lived experience influence infant feeding decisions and outcomes

• Review current disparities in maternal mortality, infant mortality, preterm birth, and breastfeeding rates

• Understand the difference between equality and equity — and why equity must guide our care

• Apply trauma-informed principles to lactation counseling

• Learn and practice a practical 3-step communication framework: Ask. Affirm. Educate.

• Strengthen active listening and non-verbal communication skills

• Use inclusive, affirming language (pronouns, feeding terms, identity-centered care)

• Build trust and rapport before delivering education

• Adapt teaching strategies using adult learning theory and VARK modalities

• Identify community partnerships and advocacy initiatives that improve outcomes

This session highlights community-driven initiatives supporting historically marginalized families.

Ideal for: IBCLCs, CLCs, RDs, nurses, physicians, doulas, and perinatal professionals committed to improving patient experience and advancing health equity.

Attendees leave with immediately applicable counseling skills, inclusive language tools, and actionable strategies to better support families in meeting their infant feeding goals.

This presentation focuses on all aspects of buying, storing, and selling pump parts, also provides information about trusted sources and best practices.

• Review ethical considerations when considering adding products to your practice.
• Weigh the risks vs. benefits of adding products to your lactation practice.
• Discuss ordering and inventory management of lactation products
• Review licensing and tax considerations for your state/area

The topics covered in this presentation include:

• Ethical Considerations
• Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs
• WHO code Compliance
• Risks Vs. Benefits
• Ordering Considerations
• Inventory Management
• Software Tracking
• Legal & Financial
• Marketing
• Compliance & Regulations
• Insurance Protection
• Financial Impact
• Time Considerations
• What to Order

Multiples are more likely to be born prematurely, at lower birth weights, or in medically complex circumstances. Human milk is especially protective for these infants, yet feeding more than one baby introduces physiologic, logistical, and emotional challenges that require nuanced clinical support.

This session equips health professionals with evidence-informed strategies to support families feeding multiples. Participants will explore common complications associated with multiple births, essential terminology, and tandem feeding techniques while also deepening their understanding of milk supply physiology, NICU considerations, growth monitoring, counseling language, and the psychosocial realities families face.

Through case-based discussion and practical tools, clinicians will leave prepared to create individualized, sustainable feeding plans that prioritize both infant outcomes and parental well-being.

Objectives:

• Identify at least three common medical or developmental complications associated with multiple births and describe how they influence feeding management.
• Define at least three key terms associated with multiple gestation (e.g., chorionicity, zygosity, tandem feeding) and explain their clinical relevance to feeding assessment.
• Recall and describe at least three positioning strategies for feeding more than one infant simultaneously.
• Explain how milk supply physiology supports the ability to nourish multiples and outline evidence-based strategies to protect supply.
• Apply case-based reasoning to develop individualized feeding plans for families with multiples, incorporating growth monitoring, supplementation considerations, and mental health awareness.
• Demonstrate patient-centered counseling language that supports sustainable feeding choices for families of multiples.

Abstract: Weight bias and fat phobia continue to influence healthcare experiences—often silently but powerfully. In the lactation space, these biases can impact not only how care is delivered but also how new parents perceive their own bodies during a highly vulnerable time. This presentation explores the pervasive influence of diet culture in the early postpartum period and its effects on lactating parents. Attendees will learn to identify and challenge three common myths related to weight and lactation, recognize how weight-based medical biases can undermine patient trust and safety, and discover actionable resources to support more inclusive and affirming lactation care. By understanding the intersection of size, health, and breastfeeding, professionals can build more compassionate, evidence-based, and equitable counseling practices for every body.

Presentation Objectives:

• Define the concept of diet culture and its impact on early postpartum​
• List 3 myths surrounding weight and lactation​
• List 3 resources available to learn more about size inclusivity
• Recognize medical treatment related biases based on weight, size, and body type and how they can potentially cause harm to the patient

• Identify common types of breast pumps on the market, along with their features and benefits.
• Understand the primary reasons parents choose to pump and strategies to help them manage milk supply.
• List the available flange sizes and their impact on pumping efficiency and comfort.
• Perform a proper flange fit assessment and provide tailored recommendations to parents.
• Troubleshoot common pumping concerns, such as low milk output, discomfort, and suction issues.

Description and Objectives:

As infants begin their transition to solid foods, maintaining lactation and ensuring optimal nutrition remain critical concerns for both parents and healthcare professionals. This presentation will explore evidence-based strategies for introducing complementary foods while preserving breastmilk intake and supporting long-term lactation. We will review current research on the timing and impact of solids introduction, responsive feeding techniques, and the physiological and hormonal factors affecting milk supply. Additionally, we will discuss common challenges families face during this transition and provide practical, clinically relevant guidance for lactation consultants, pediatric healthcare providers, and other professionals working with breastfeeding families.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the current evidence and recommendations regarding the appropriate timing and method of introducing complementary foods to infants.
2. Explain the physiological relationship between solid food introduction and maternal milk supply, including potential risks for early weaning.
3. Identify strategies to support breastfeeding parents in maintaining lactation while meeting their infant’s evolving nutritional needs.
4. Apply evidence-based responsive feeding techniques to promote continued breastfeeding alongside solid food introduction.
5. Recognize common concerns and misconceptions about introducing solids and provide appropriate guidance to families.

Description and Objectives:

Breastfeeding is recognized as the gold standard for infant nutrition, providing essential nutrients, immunological benefits, and fostering maternal-infant bonding. However, questions regarding the safety of medication use during lactation often lead to confusion and unnecessary cessation of breastfeeding. This presentation will address the complexities of medication transfer into human milk, offering evidence-based insights to support informed clinical communication with clients about this topic. We will focus on the composition of human milk, benefits of human milk, contraindications to chest/breastfeeding, and risks associated with medication that met certain criteria and the current resources available to healthcare providers.

Through this presentation, professionals will be able to:

• Identify commonly prescribed medications and whether they are compatible with breastfeeding
• Understand the mechanisms of medication transfer into human milk
• Evaluate medication safety for lactating parents and babies

Description and Objectives:

Breastfeeding plays a vital role in infant and maternal health, yet many families face challenges that require specialized support. International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are essential members of the healthcare team, providing expert guidance to parents while collaborating with other medical professionals to improve breastfeeding outcomes.

This presentation will highlight the critical role of IBCLCs in supporting lactation, addressing common breastfeeding challenges, and enhancing patient-centered care. Participants will explore key indicators for referring patients to an IBCLC, ensuring timely intervention for complex lactation concerns. Additionally, we will review trusted resources available to both healthcare professionals and families to support breastfeeding success.

By understanding the collaborative role of IBCLCs within the healthcare system, professionals will be better equipped to integrate lactation support into their practice, improve communication between providers, and ultimately enhance breastfeeding outcomes for parents and infants.

By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the critical role of IBCLCs in lactation care and their impact on breastfeeding success.
2. Identify key indicators that warrant a referral to an IBCLC to ensure appropriate lactation support.
3. List at least three evidence-based resources available for lactation support for both professionals and parents.
4. Implement strategies to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and improve breastfeeding outcomes within their practice.

Description and Objectives:

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful lactation support, enabling professionals to build trust, provide clear guidance, and empower families in their infant feeding journey. This session explores a comprehensive approach to fostering meaningful connections with clients while delivering evidence-based care.

Participants will learn how to adapt their communication to different learning styles, ensuring that lactation education is accessible and effective for diverse audiences. We will examine key techniques such as active listening, motivational interviewing, and nonverbal communication, which enhance trust and engagement.

The session will also cover health literacy principles, teaching participants how to simplify complex lactation concepts using plain language, visuals, and teach-back methods. Special attention will be given to trauma-informed communication, recognizing how past experiences may impact a parent’s breastfeeding journey and how to provide sensitive, supportive guidance.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. 1. Adapt communication styles to align with four primary learning styles, ensuring effective lactation education.
   2. Foster trust and rapport using active listening, motivational interviewing, and nonverbal communication techniques.
   3. Navigate cultural and linguistic differences by incorporating culturally sensitive approaches and working effectively with interpreters.
   4. Simplify complex lactation concepts using plain language, visuals, and teach-back methods to enhance health literacy.
   5. Apply trauma-informed communication strategies to support individuals with past medical, birth, or personal trauma.