Lactation & Breastfeeding Online Course(s) & Continuing Education

Many changes take place during pregnancy to prepare for the physical and physiological challenges of becoming a mother, including numerous adaptations in the maternal brain. Dynamic fluctuations in key hormones during pregnancy induce these adaptive changes to enable the mother’s physiology to adjust to the new demands of these reproductive states and to provide the optimal environment for the development of her baby. Evidence shows that the “lactogenic hormones” (i.e. the multiple pituitary and placental hormones that act through the prolactin receptor) are critical for many of the adaptive changes that occur during pregnancy. It is well accepted that prolactin is required for lactation, but it is now clear that these hormones have a much wider role, influencing maternal behaviour and the maintenance of lactation infertility. Surprisingly, we have shown that prolactin action in the brain also mediates metabolic changes, including stimulation of food intake, a profound suppression in voluntary physical activity in pregnancy, and there is exciting new data showing a role for prolactin in thermoregulation. Collectively, we believe these observations are consistent with the hypothesis that prolactin (and its placental homologue placental lactogen) plays a key role in coordinating the behavioural and physiological adaptations to pregnancy in the mother, and lactation could be considered simply another in this suite of prolactin-mediated physiological adaptations. These data highlight a much more comprehensive role for prolactin in the process of mammalian reproduction than is typically considered for this “lactation hormone”.

The words that we use with families can be critical to their initiation and duration of their lactation journey. Often as lactation care providers we fixate on having the most updated, evidence-based information to support our clients, but what good is having the ‘right’ words if other parts of language and communication are missing or preventing those words from being received? This presentation will highlight the value of continuously updating our language skills to better serve families.

Aims: The aims of this study were to explore the role of education and support in the development of self-efficacy in first-time mothers during the transition to motherhood.

Methodology: Using a qualitative approach, first time mothers, whose babies were less than 15 months old, were recruited from among women who had attended various models of antenatal classes They took part in a semi-structured interview on their experiences and personal constructs relating to the perceived quality of support they received were then elicited.

Findings: Becoming a mother was a process that held great meaning for all the mothers. For the women interviewed, breastfeeding was both a practice and a process which held meaning for these women. The impact of the various forms of antenatal classes in developing self-efficacy for all parental tasks is explored. The elicitation of personal constructs provides a novel format for women to evaluate the quality of the support they received – a topic which has been seldom researched.

This presentation examines the impending integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in lactation and breastfeeding services, shedding light on bioethical considerations both in a hospital setting and private practice. Delve into fundamental principles shaping ethical frameworks in AI, anticipate potential dilemmas in future technology integration, and prepare for responsible data management. Zainab explores the development of ethical responsibilities for healthcare practices in the evolving landscape of lactation support. Join us for insights at the intersection of ethics and technology, shaping the compassionate future of breastfeeding services.

In the absence of adequate banked donor human milk for distribution to all infants in need, many families choose to engage in the practice of Private Arrangement Milk Sharing (PAMS), partially facilitated through social media, to procure human milk for their infants. Evidence regarding the participant and infant characteristics, and risk abatement practices is limited. This presentation explores the state-of-the-science of PAMS, characteristics of recipient participants and infants, donor screening practices, and risk abatement strategies. Results are contextualized with a socioecological framework of factors affecting infant feeding practices. Influence of health care providers, lactation support, birth attendant, and sources sought during decision making and the impact of these influences on supporting families are discussed.

Knowledge of neuroanatomy, reflexes, and biomechanics as related to breastfeeding/chestfeeding is essential to IBCLC competency. This presentation will define breastfeeding/chestfeeding in terms of posture, movement, and reflexive function. Examples of neuromuscular dysfunction that impair breastfeeding will be provided. Strategies for treating neuromuscular dysfunction that impedes movement essential to breastfeeding/chestfeeding success will be reviewed along with new research on how participation in infant movement group classes facilitated maternal confidence in breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Presented by an IBCLC who is also a physical therapist, this presentation explores how breastfeeding/chestfeeding should be considered a first movement milestone fostered through interactive tummy time at the most basic and often effective level, and in need of more definition as such across the healthcare continuum. While alerting other healthcare professionals to this definition can help improve support for it, IBCLCs should be the clinical expert in its assessment and treatment as a foundation to collaboratively solving more complex movement impairments that challenge breastfeeding success.

Neurologic conditions often have a significant impact on the breastfeeding/chestfeeding dyad. The majority of these conditions are congenital, however some may be acquired during the first year of life. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding management of the hypotonic and hypertonic infant will be discussed. Hypotonic neurologic conditions that will be reviewed include floppy infant syndrome, infantile botulism, medullary lesions, Prader-Willi Syndrome and Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 21. The hypertonic neurologic conditions cerebral palsy and drug exposed infant will be discussed along with neural tube defects and Congenital Zika Syndrome. Case studies of special needs babies with these neurologic conditions will be presented.

How comfortable are you at identifying neuromusculoskeletal issues in babies. This lecture will explore the triad aspect of breastfeeding – neurological, muscular and skeletal. A review of the causes, main conditions combined with tips to help you recognize neuromusculoskeletal issues will provide you with a more astute eye during your evaluation. Treatment options will be reviewed in addition to a review of the chiropractic and lactation literature. This lecture should create awareness amongst health professionals about the importance of treating neuromusculoskeletal issues in baby to optimize breastfeeding!

The feeding of breast milk during the NICU admission reduces the risk of short-and long-term morbidities especially in premature infants. Breastmilk provides immunological, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, epigenetic, and mucosal membrane protecting properties. The mechanisms by which human milk provides its protection are varied. These mechanisms include immunological and specific unique human milk components that are not present in formula. Thus, the feeding of mother’s own breastmilk should be a NICU priority and every NICU should have a breastmilk storage and handling policy. In this presentation we will discuss how we can counsel parents about the infection control measures and guidelines related to storage, handling and administration of breastmilk to babies in the NICU. Learn more about hospital grade pumps, pumping at home vs pumping in hospital setting, prevention and management of potential mistakes such as giving a child another mother’s milk and how to handle and store fortified breastmilk.

Understanding the specific infant anatomy related to feeding function can unlock the mystery of why the baby is struggling and how to correct the problem. You will see very comprehensive video demonstration of normal function and easy to understand diagrams of common subluxation patterns. This presentation focuses on: (1) The infant cranial and spinal anatomy piece by piece and how it all interacts together; (2) The main muscles of breastfeeding function; (3) clinical presentations of common feeding challenges explained through the anatomy; and (4) correlations into other common infant pathologies of torticollis and Otitis Media.