Description:

Insurance coverage for lactation visits may be mandated by the Affordable Care Act, but there are still many families who cannot access this type of vital health care. Kimberly, an award-winning journalist, maternal and child health communication strategist and advocate, will educate us on improving our language and communication skills to address health equity as well as strategies and policies that practitioners, private and public offices and hospitals can implement that would promote accessibility of lactation care to diverse populations.  

 
Objectives:

• Describe the key cultural and structural barriers to breastfeeding for the African American community.

• Describe strategies for overcoming barriers and engaging with the community.

• Identify at least three common messaging themes that limit broad based breastfeeding promotion. 

Kimberly Seals Allers, BA, MS

Being Heard, Increasing Impact: Promoting Equity and Diversity in Lactation Care

Description:

This presentation will focus on recognizing the spectrum of emotional complications that affect mothers. Symptoms, assessment as well as knowing when to refer to specialized supports will be addressed while providing cultural sensitivity in a diverse world. 

 
Objectives:

• Describe why it is important to understand Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).

• Name three contributing factors and three risk factors for PMADs.

• Describe the spectrum of emotional complications that arise during pregnancy and the postpartum periods.

• State the difference between Postpartum OCD/ Intrusive Thoughts vs. Postpartum Psychosis symptoms.

• Name three primary treatment options for PMADs.

• Describe the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and how to use it properly.

• List three links between PMADs and breastfeeding. State three perinatal mental health resources one can use for referrals.

Carla Pileggi Caviola, MA-LPC/LMHC

Clarifying Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Description:

Latch is more than instincts. Physiological aspects, such as tongue and suck, can affect latch and breastfeeding. Evaluation of latch should include assessing tongue frenulum and function, as well as suck and breastmilk transfer.

 
Objectives:

• Describe the impact of a tongue tie on breastfeeding.

• Describe cause of a tongue tie.

• List methods of evaluating tongue function.

• List treatment approaches for tongue tie.

Lorelei Michels, DO

Assessment of Tongue Tie and Suck Problems in Breastfed Infants

Description:

Biomechanical dysfunction is a frequently overlooked reason for the failure to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship. In this presentation, Dr. Vallone will describe common biomechanics problems that may interfere with breastfeeding as well as describing potential signs and symptoms so that the IBCLC can include this modality when evaluating the dyad and making appropriate collaborative referrals. Manual therapy can also play an important evaluative and potentially therapeutic role in pre and post release of tethers of the tongue. 

 
Objectives:

• Describe the interaction between mother / baby structure on breastfeeding efficacy.

• Describe compensations that a neonate will make to correct for biomechanical dysfunction.

• State how to proceed when reaching the limits of one's professional role.
   

Sharon Vallone, DC

How Manual Therapy Can Support the Breastfeeding Dyad