Latch & Position Online Course(s) & Continuing Education
Access the latest clinical skills and research for Latch & Position for Lactation & Breastfeeding professional training. These Latch & Position online courses provide practice-changing skills and valuable perspectives from leading global experts. This Latch & Position education has been accredited for a variety of CEUs / CERPs and can be accessed on-demand, at your own pace.

Beyond the Basics of Latch: Support Strategies for Helping Babies when the Basics Aren’t Enough

Melissa Cole is a board-certified lactation consultant, neonatal oral-motor assessment professional and clinical herbalist in private practice. Melissa is passionate about providing comprehensive, holistic lactation support and improving the level of clinical lactation skills for health professional. She enjoys teaching, researching and writing about wellness and lactation-related topics. Her bachelor’s degree is in maternal/child health and lactation and her master’s degree is in therapeutic herbalism. Before pursuing her current path, Melissa’s background was in education and cultural arts, which has served her well in her work as a lactation consultant and healthcare educator. She loves living, working and playing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her 3 children.
Topic: A Mindful Approach to Infant Tongue-Tie Care - [View Abstract]
Topic: Beyond Fenugreek: An Individualized Approach to Dietary and Herbal Galactagogues - [View Abstract]
Topic: Beyond the Basics of Latch: Support Strategies for Helping Babies when the Basics Aren’t Enough - [View Abstract]
Topic: Common Infant Digestive Health Concerns and Useful Support Strategies - [View Abstract]
Topic: Connection and Care: Virtual Support for Tongue-Tied Infants - [View Abstract]
Topic: Feeding is Movement: Activities for Supporting Optimal Infant Oral Function - [View Abstract]
Topic: Infant Gut Health: Common Concerns and Useful Support Strategies - [View Abstract]
Topic: Infant Oral Assessment: Exploring Anatomy and Function Beyond the Frenulum - [View Abstract]
Topic: Low Milk Production Detective Work: Assessment and Care Plan Considerations - [View Abstract]
Topic: Nature’s Nurturers: Plant Medicine for Perinatal Mental Health - [View Abstract]
Topic: New Thoughts on Infant Pre and Post-Frenotomy Care - [View Abstract]
Topic: Placenta Medicine as a Galactogogue: Tradition or Trend? - [View Abstract]
Topic: Thinking Critically About the Use of Clinical Lactation Tools - [View Abstract]
Topic: Will It Hurt? Frenotomy Aftercare Strategies to Optimize Healing Outcomes for the Newborn - [View Abstract]
In a perfect world, every baby would latch beautifully right after delivery and breastfeed happily ever after. In reality what we often see is that most moms and babies need a little help to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Many dyads need a lot of help. And a few mother/baby pairs need a miracle to breastfeed successfully. How can we best help those tough cases? There are many reasons babies struggle to latch and feed well. Some issues may include structural issues, physical discomfort, respiratory concerns, medical issues, digestive issues, poor feeding tool choices, prematurity, etc. Many providers are frustrated when they are unable to help a dyad latch and feed successfully. This presentation will cover some reasons why babies struggle to latch and breastfeed well. We will go over cases that portray challenging situations and the assessment techniques and care plan strategies that helped. This session is designed to help providers implement critical thinking skills in order to think outside the box when it comes to difficult cases.

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Calm & Regulated: Rethinking Our Approach to Latch and Positioning

Sejal is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in private practice and an infant massage educator in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA. She combines her professional expertise with her personal instincts as a mother and a supportive team member.
She holds a Bachelors in Microbiology and Clinical Laboratory Science.
She also brings with her the following comprehensive toolkit: Certified Educator of Infant Massage, Formerly Certified in skin-to-skin care for full term infants from the United States Institute of Kangaroo Care Certified Provider of Innate Postpartum Care.
She has presented nationally and internationally for GOLD lactation, ILCA, community colleges, local lactation organizations.
As a lactation consultant, she believes that every individual needs to be educated about breast health, optimal infant feeding and how breastfeeding support is a basic human right and can impact world health globally.
She strives to help each family by continuing to learn all she can about breast health, breastfeeding ecology, breastfeeding movement and parent-infant connection using the neurobiological and infant mental health lens.
When she’s not with her clients, you can find her at home in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA, listening to bollywood music, hanging out with friends and spending time with her family.
Topic: Calm & Regulated: Rethinking Our Approach to Latch and Positioning - [View Abstract]
Topic: Strengthening Bonds After Frenotomy: Infant Massage As A Recovery Strategy - [View Abstract]
Topic: Teaching Infant Facial Massage to Parents to Support a Functional Latch - [View Abstract]
Every interaction in lactation care with clients must set the foundation for creating an oxytocic environment. Improving client self-efficacy must be a priority for every lactation professional who works with the dyad. This presentation will dive deeper into the various factors that include not just latching and positioning but also brings attention to regulating the nervous system of the parent and baby. The presence of a lactation support professional needs to invite a neurophysiological encounter of safety in the parent and infant. This allows them to feel relaxed, unfurled, and present in the process of feeding and beyond. We will review clinical case studies, videos, photos and curious compassion for better client outcomes. Lactation professionals will be able to incorporate the ideas from this presentation into their clinical practice. They will be able to encourage client self-reliance that lasts beyond the consultation. This presentation can be used as a guide for providing a neurophysiologically inclusive feeding plan and bridging the gap between initiation and duration of breastfeeding.

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Catherine Watson Genna BS, IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in private practice in New York City. Certified in 1992, Catherine is particularly interested in helping moms and babies breastfeed when they have medical challenges and is an active clinical mentor. She speaks to healthcare professionals around the world on assisting breastfeeding babies with anatomical, genetic or neurological problems. Her presentations and her writing are enriched by her clinical photographs and videos. Catherine collaborates with Columbia University and Tel Aviv University Departments of Biomedical Engineering on research projects investigating the biomechanics of the lactating nipple and various aspects of sucking and swallowing in breastfeeding infants. She is the author of Selecting and Using Breastfeeding Tools: Improving Care and Outcomes (Praeclarus Press 2009) and Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants (Jones and Bartlett Learning 2008, 2013, 2017) as well as professional journal articles and chapters in the Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice and Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. Catherine served as Associate Editor of the United States Lactation Consultant Association’s official journal Clinical Lactation for its first seven years.
Topic: Breastfeeding Strategies for Tongue-tied Infants - [View Abstract]
Topic: Critical Assessment of Apparent Tongue-Tie - [View Abstract]
Topic: Introduction to Cervical Auscultation - [View Abstract]
Topic: Lactation Support for Infant Biomedical Challenges - [View Abstract]
Topic: Organization of tongue movements before and after frenotomy for posterior tongue-tie: an Ultrasound analysis - [View Abstract]
Topic: Positioning and Latch for Breastfeeding - [View Abstract]
Topic: Ultrasound Analysis of Sucking: Tongue-Tie and Confounders - [View Abstract]
Topic: Using Breastfeeding Supplementers - [View Abstract]
The comfort and effectiveness of breastfeeding depend largely on how deeply the baby is attached to the breast and how stable the body positions of mother and baby are. This presentation reviews infant requirements and capabilities for breastfeeding and best practices to facilitate optimal latch.

Strategies for Overcoming Latching Refusal: A Parent-Centered Approach

Avery Young is a passionate enthusiast about empowered feeding and is on a mission to help make feeding feel better.
Over the last few years, she has been observing, studying and experimenting with engaging the reflexes that infants use when feeding, to help make the latching progress work better. This work has transformed her practice and her ability to make profound changes in the families she supports.
She has a master's degree in Biology, a Master's Degree in Science Education and has been supporting feeding families for almost a decade.
Topic: Strategies for Overcoming Latching Refusal: A Parent-Centered Approach - [View Abstract]
Latching refusal can stem from a myriad of physiological and environmental factors that compromise breastfeeding efficacy and outcomes. These factors may include infant oral motor difficulties, maternal physiological challenges, or stressful feeding environments. Understanding these underlying causes is crucial for providing effective support and interventions. This presentation offers a comprehensive view, incorporating both practical strategies and case studies to explain how to use a parent-centered approach that emphasizes the emotional well-being of the entire feeding dyad to help overcome latching barriers. This session is designed to equip healthcare professionals, lactation consultants, and caregivers with the tools necessary to support families in navigating these challenges effectively, promoting a successful and sustained feeding experience.

Supporting Babies with Birth Injury: Optimising Positioning and Latch

A graduate of RMIT, Joanna has practiced as a registered Osteopath since 1996. She completed her Graduate Diploma in Osteopathic Paediatrics in 2001 and has been working in the field of paediatric care since then. In 2021, Joanna was titled an Advanced Paediatric Osteopath by Osteopathy Australia, in recognition of her long standing commitment to paediatric tertiary education, continuing professional development and collaborative care.
Jo is also an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and a Rhythmic Movement Training (RMTi) Consultant, and combines these skills with her osteopathic principles and treatment. Jo works in private practice in Melbourne at a medical clinic, alongside GP’s, MCHN, and other allied health professionals.
Jo is passionate about supporting mothers in their early parenting journey, including developing breastfeeding confidence and supporting emotional wellbeing. She has a particular interest in supporting mothers and babies with feeding difficulties and she combines her expertise in both osteopathy and lactation to provide a holistic approach to maternal-infant health care and lactation support. This includes treatment following traumatic birth, and the management of torticollis, plagiocephaly and hip dysplasia. Jo’s work includes optimising positioning and latch, improving sucking skills, releasing connective tissue tensions throughout the body, as well as the management of ankyloglossia and oral rehabilitation post frenectomy.
Jo has extensive experience working with babies, children and adults across the lifespan. Passionate about ongoing professional development, Jo has completed numerous additional post graduate short courses in many areas to deepen and expand her skill sets.
She is also a Board member of LCANZ (Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand).
Birth has the potential to be the source of a baby’s first injury. Supporting babies with birth injuries to breastfeed requires an understanding of the common injuries that may present in practice along with a working knowledge of the mechanics involved in optimal positioning and latch. A nuanced approach is then required to assist injured infants overcome barriers of limited movement, dysfunction and pain to learn the skills required for effective latch and transfer of milk. This presentation will review common infant birth injuries including brachial plexus injuries, clavicular fractures, and torticollis. The biomechanics involved in achieving optimal positioning and latch will be discussed and ways in which birth injuries may impact a dyad’s ability to breastfeed. Learn how to explain good positioning and latching to parents, and how mothers and injured babies can be supported to successfully breastfeed with the right understanding, patience and nuanced modifications.

What to Do When the Laid-Back Breastfeeding Position Doesn’t Work…Self Attachment, the Flipple Technique and the Koala Hold All With a “Hands Off” Approach

Meg is the mother of three breastfed boys and lives with her husband and children in QLD, Australia. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in private practice and works with parents to help them reach their breastfeeding goals. She has a degree in psychology and her prior work was is in counselling and sexual health. She was a La Leche League Leader (breastfeeding counsellor) for seven years before becoming an IBCLC. Meg is the author of two books including, "Boobin' All Day...Boobin' All Night. A Gentle Approach To Sleep For Breastfeeding Families". She has published articles in numerous parenting magazines and websites. She was also filmed for a short documentary, "Lactaboobiephobia", based on one of her blog posts which was released in 2016.
Topic: Breastfeeding With A Tongue Tie. How Can We Help When A Tie Revision Is Not Possible? - [View Abstract]
Topic: Exclusively Breastfeeding Triplets-Case Studies - [View Abstract]
Topic: Social Media Backlash – Addressing Emotionally Charged Responses - [View Abstract]
Topic: What to Do When the Laid-Back Breastfeeding Position Doesn’t Work…Self Attachment, the Flipple Technique and the Koala Hold All With a “Hands Off” Approach - [View Abstract]
As Lactation professionals we are taught and often reminded of the “laid back breastfeeding position” or “biological nursing” and how this can best facilitate a great latch. While this can be very useful and helpful in most cases, there will be circumstances where this position does not lead to a better latch and leaves the professional, the mother and the baby continuing to struggle.
This presentation will explain other useful and practical tips on how to help facilitate a baby to get the best latch possible, why the “look” of the latch does not matter, all while empowering the mother and baby to do it themselves, without physical help from the professional. The techniques covered include self-attachment in the side-lying position, self-attachment in the koala hold and trying the flipple technique to get as much breast tissue into the baby’s mouth as possible. This can be helpful for all babies struggling with latch including babies with tongue and/or lip ties. This presentation will include video examples and practical tips.

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