IBCLC Detailed Content Outline: Development and Nutrition / Infant Focused CERPs - Section I A
Access CERPs on Development and Nutrition / Infant for the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline recertification requirements. On-demand viewing of the latest Development and Nutrition / Infant focused IBCLC CERPs at your own pace.

Breastfeeding and Cranial Nerve Dysfunction – the what, who and why of Cranial Nerve Dysfunction in the newborn to precrawling baby

Michelle has been a pediatric neurodevelopmental Occupational therapist specializing in precrawling infants for over 26 years. She has specialty certifications and training in lactation, manual therapy, and pre and peri natal psychology. Michelle has specialized in optimal cranial nerve function and oral restrictions, with an emphasis on infant movement, innate biological imperatives and human potential, providing novel curriculums, support and resources for both professionals and parents. She enjoys collaborating and working in teams for babies and families going through the tethered oral tissues release process.
Topic: Breastfeeding and Cranial Nerve Dysfunction – the what, who and why of Cranial Nerve Dysfunction in the newborn to precrawling baby - [View Abstract]
Topic: Compensatory vs Novel Movements: 3 Keys for Babies With Tongue, Lip and Buccal Restrictions - [View Abstract]
Topic: Interoception: Beyond the Homunculus....The Real Sixth Sense and Its Primary Function as Sensory Input to the Autonomic Nervous System - [View Abstract]
Topic: The Vagus Nerve: Branchial Motor / Special Visceral Efferents: The Pharynx, Larynx, Soft Palate and one tiny tongue muscle - [View Abstract]
Topic: TummyTime!™ : A Therapeutic Strategy for Parents and Babies - [View Abstract]
Cranial Nerve Dsyfunction, CND, is a term used to describe a disruption, dysregulation or dysfunction in one or more cranial nerves in the precrawling period. Cranial Nerves are twelve, paired nerves, ten of which originate in the brainstem. They mediate all incoming sensory input and also help regulate, move and maintain the health of the muscles of the face, head, neck, jaw, tongue and throat. From sensing mother’s smell, touch, taste to rooting, latching and coordinating suck/swallow/breathe patterns, optimal cranial nerve function is paramount. Lactation consultants need to be able to identify CND, identify a couple of treatment interventions and know when to refer to appropriate health care professional such as OT, PT, Speech, or Manual Therapist/Bodyworker. CND explains how many tongue/lip tied babies who have had a frenotomy continue to struggle significantly with the activities and movements of optimal breastfeeding. Michelle will cover the basics of CND, a simple classification system, and her 4 Principle Functional Movement Protocol, which she states can optimize cranial nerve function in the precrawling baby and improve breastfeeding outcomes.

‘He Fought Like a Lion’: Using Trauma Resolution Approaches to Support Professionals and Families with Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Kate White is and award-winning craniosacral and massage therapist, prenatal and early childhood educator. She is trained in somatic therapies, prenatal and perinatal health, lactation, brain development, infant mental health, and has specialized in mother-baby dyad care using somatic prevention and trauma healing approaches for nearly 20 years. She is a mother of two children, holds a BA and MA in Communication, is a Registered Craniosacral Therapist in the Biodynamic Craniosacral method and a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner. Her work combines somatic therapy with brain development to help give families with babies and small children the best possible start. She is Founding Director of Education for the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health from 2013 – 2018 where she managed a large online educational program for professionals. She currently co-directs this program, administering an online program for parents and parent professionals, runs a private practice and offers her own seminars through the Center for Prenatal and Perinatal Programs, ppncenter.com.
Topic: Best Practices in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Somatic Health for Optimal Birth Outcomes - [View Abstract]
Topic: Integration of the Science of Safety and Resilience into Perinatal Care: A 5 Step Process - [View Abstract]
Topic: The Science of Safety and Trauma Specific Recognition to Improve Birth Outcomes: What Does It Mean for the Midwife? - [View Abstract]
Topic: “It Was Right but so Wrong:” Helping Families Make Sense of Difficult Births with Trauma Sensitive and Prenatal and Perinatal Healing Approaches - [View Abstract]
Having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is one of the most stressful life events for a parent. The nervous system of babies and parents can go into survival mode, disrupting normal development, especially attachment and bonding. This presentation will detail the nervous system’s response to overwhelming births so that parents and professionals can better understand how to support themselves, their partners, parents and babies. Strategies for self-care and skills for increasing nervous system capacity for greater health will be presented. A successful story of reducing prematurity in a birth center will be presented.

7-10% Gewichtsverlies, Bijvoeden of Niet? Een Andere Blik Op Gewichstverlies Bij Borstgevoede Pasgeboren Baby

Trained as an educational Scientist I first became a volunteer for VBN (a Dutch organisation similar to LLL). In 2000 I became an IBCLC and have worked as such in private practice ever since. I work and live in the Amsterdam area in the Netherlands. In my practice I see a wide variety of mothers and babies from different cultural backgrounds (although mainly in relatively good economic circumstances) and age, from ex-preemies at home to 3-4 year olds. Apart from face-to-face breastfeeding help I also teach. This ranges from antenatal breastfeeding workshops for parents to in company trainings for professional organisations. I find joy in assisting parents and babies to find ways to work together. And in showing healthcare professionals that providing good breastfeeding care is an interesting and rewarding aspect of their profession.
An important reason for early weaning is (perceived) insufficient growth and milk production. This worries both parents and healthcare professionals. Therefore monitoring growth is an important aspect of the care around newborn babies and young children. Although weightloss in the first days of live is normal in humans, the consequence is often supplementary feeding. In this presentation I will discuss how tools to closely monitor weightloss ánd -gain can help prevent unnescesary supplementation. And how such a tool, if and when used properly, can also help in education of both healthcare professionals as expecting parent. In this presentation the focus will be on a tool developed by TNO Nederland precisely with the aim to prevent unnescessary supplementation and cessation of breastfeeding.

A Comprehensive Look at Breastfeeding Ecology: Infants' Innate Behaviors

Sejal Fichadia is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in private practice in Hillsboro, Oregon. 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: CAPPA-certified postpartum doula since 2014, Certified as an infant massage educator (CEIM) and offers infant massage classes since 2014 and facilitates TummyTime!™ method classes since 2014. She is also formerly Certified in skin-to-skin care for full term infants from the United States Institute of Kangaroo Care and is a Certified Provider of Innate Postpartum Care.
She has presented at GOLD lactation, ILCA, and local organizations, both in person and virtually on the subjects of how infant and maternal posture influence breastfeeding, and how infant facial massage can help facilitate a functional latch.
She strives to help each family by continuing to learn all she can about 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: Teaching Infant Facial Massage to Parents to Support a Functional Latch - [View Abstract]
Evaluating feeding and observing babies at the breast is a big part of what lactation professionals do. The privilege to observe babies at the breast in private practice at a much slower pace has provided a unique observation opportunity. Each baby and parent dyad is unique and so are the challenges that come with it. The focus of this interactive workshop is to help participants become astute observers of the infant’s movements and posture before and during feeding. It will further enhance their clinical skills by looking at the big picture of how the infant's innate behaviors ensure harmonious breastfeeding ecology. This presentation will take a deeper dive into how the infant’s use of their senses, and nine steps of the breast crawl not only lead to self-attachment but it also lays down the foundation for self-efficacy and self-regulation in babies.

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A Dairy-free Mediterranean Diet and the Impact on Colic and Allergy in Infants Receiving Human Milk

Joanna Nawfal is a board-certified lactation consultant, a childbirth educator, a hypnobirthing instructor, and a certified baby massage instructor, with 15 years of experience in the field of maternal child health and a Masters of Science in Nursing.
Joanna is passionate about helping mothers and babies in their breastfeeding journey, and was inspired to start this path after having difficulties 10 years ago, breastfeeding her first child, Adam.
She loves teaching expecting parents about the beauty of birth, normal newborn behavior, and is exceptionally passionate about nutrition for mothers as she believes that we can always find cure in food.
Joanna enjoys doing home visits and clinic consultations for breastfeeding. She also offers birth preparation classes in her country, Lebanon, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her favorite activity is getting lost in Lebanon’s bountiful nature where the mountains and the sea are in close proximity. To Joanna, Lebanon, is the most beautiful country in the world.
Colic and allergy symptoms are problems commonly encountered in newborns exclusively receiving human milk, and are thought to be triggered by inflammatory responses in the gut. Maternal diet, especially cow’s milk intake, has been associated with infantile colic and allergies, but no previous studies have examined the effect of a Mediterranean diet. Thus, this new research aims to investigate whether maternal adherence to a dairy-free Mediterranean diet, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, reduces colic and allergy symptoms in infants exclusively fed human milk. This presentation will discuss the methodology of this recent study and present the results of the Mediterranean diet on allergy symptoms and average daily crying of infants.

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A Neuroprotective Approach to Reduce the Risk for Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) In ELBW Neonates

Sandy Jose, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC is a board certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) in the Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Texas Children’s Hospital. She completed her NNP education at Rush University in Chicago and her DNP at UT Cizik School of Nursing in Houston. Her passion for quality improvement has helped improve neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm neonates by reducing the risk for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) through the establishment of her “Mindful of Preemies” protocol. She was also a key stakeholder for the development of Neuro-Protective Guidelines for the Small Baby Unit (SBU) Program for Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) neonates. In addition, she continues to actively participate in various QI initiatives within the NICU.
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a devastating and debilitating diagnosis commonly seen in premature neonates. Statistics indicate that 45% of extremely premature infants with very low birth weight develop IVH within the first week of life. IVH is associated with numerous acute and long-term neurologic and psychiatric complications. Additionally, it has led to a progressive increase in hospital costs and length of hospitalization.
IVH is multifactorial, but it is primarily attributed to the intrinsic fragility of the germinal matrix vasculature from prematurity and disturbances in the cerebral blood flow (CBF) from commonly seen complications in premature neonates. Seminal research studies support neurodevelopmental positioning (NDP) of high-risk preterm infants as a postnatal preventive approach to reduce the risk for IVH. Hospitals with low IVH rates utilize NDP.


Naomi Bar-Yam, PhD, ACSW, has been working in maternal and child health for over 30 years as an educator, researcher, advocate, and writer. She is the immediate past president of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and the founding director of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, which provides safe donor milk to hospitals and families throughout the northeastern US. An expert on access to perinatal health care and policies that support breastfeeding, she has been a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control (on a panel that created “The CDC Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions”), to the United States Breastfeeding Committee (developing an issue paper addressed to CEOs and legislators on breastfeeding and the workplace), and to the March of Dimes (developing educational material for women and families who are medically and socially vulnerable to high-risk pregnancy). She also developed a curriculum for hospital personnel about combining breastfeeding with their work. She reviews articles submitted to the Journal of Human Lactation, Breastfeeding Medicine, and other publications related to breastfeeding, milk banking, and access to perinatal child care. As Executive Director of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, she is thoroughly versed in the technical, procedural, and ethical aspects of milk banking. She often speaks at professional conferences, hospital staff trainings, and grand rounds about milk banking and breastfeeding policies.
Topic: Ethical Concerns in Human Milk Exchange - [View Abstract]
Topic: Getting Milk to Babies: Social, medical, economic and commercial forces - [View Abstract]
Topic: The Whys and Hows of Using Banked Donor Milk - [View Abstract]
This talk uses research literature and hospital policies and programs to explore ways for families of babies in the NICU to be meaningful and active members of the NICU care team. We will look at a global snapshot of prematurity; define what a team is and who is on the NICU care team; and discuss the short- and long-term goals of the NICU care team, as well as many tools and strategies that team members and the team as a whole have at their disposal to reach those goals. Can be adapted for US or global audiences.

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A Sensory Motor Approach to Neuromuscular Re-Education Post Frenotomy

Lori L. Overland, M.S., CCC-SLP, C/NDT, CLC is a licensed speech and language pathologist with her neurodevelopmental certification and certificate as a lactation counselor. Lori is currently working on her IBCLC under the mentorship of Dr. Tina Smilie M.D., IBCLC, and Cathy Watson-Genna IBCLC. Lori’s private practice focuses on infants, toddlers and preschool children with oral sensory-motor/feeding disorders. Lori has co-authored two books: A sensory motor approach to feeding, and Functional assessment and treatment of tethered oral tissue. In addition to her private practice, Alphabet Soup, Lori is a member of the TalkTools® speakers’ bureau, and has lectured on sensory-motor/feeding disorders around the United States and internationally. Lori holds degrees from Hofstra University and Adelphi University.
This session will focus on functional assessment and treatment of tethered oral tissue in the breastfeeding infant. Participants will understand the importance of task analysis of the motor skills to support sucking, prior to referring an infant for a release. Post op treatment has focused on active wound management (Ghaheri, B. 2017) rather than neuromuscular re-education. This approach multidisciplinary approach encourages lactation consultants to partner with body works specialists and speech pathologists to develop the underlying motor skills to support sucking.

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Addressing Pediatric Dental Health Concerns of Breastfeeding Families

Joy MacTavish, MA, IBCLC, RLC, ICCE is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Lactation Consultant. She is the owner of Sound Beginnings, which provides in-home consultations and education on lactation, babywearing, and more. Her background as a birth and postpartum doula, and childbirth, newborn, and parenting educator, inform her compassionate and evidence-based support of new families in the greater Seattle area. Joy holds a Master of Arts in Cultural Studies, graduate certificate in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, and two Bachelors degrees from the University of Washington. She serves as adjunct faculty at the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations at Bastyr University where she created the Breastfeeding for Doulas course. Joy is passionate about her family, social justice, and continuing education.
Topic: Full-Term Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding: Benefits, Considerations, and Ways to Offer Support - [View Abstract]
Topic: Mindful Breastfeeding: How Lactation Professionals Can Support Calm and Connection - [View Abstract]
Topic: Sending Reports: What’s in it for IBCLCs? - [View Abstract]
Topic: Supporting Clients Facing Fertility Treatment - [View Abstract]
Topic: Weaning: Supporting Families Stopping Lactation and/or Ending Their Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Relationship - [View Abstract]
Dental caries are the most common chronic infectious disease of early childhood and new recommendations urge families to seek pediatric dental care at a younger age. For families who are practicing full-term breastfeeding and/or nocturnal breastfeeding (night-nursing), many are also reporting increased pressure to night-wean, wean completely, or otherwise incorporate care that is often not practical or evidence-based. A clear understanding of the research and realities of breastfeeding and the risks of dental caries, along with advocacy skills, are integral for breastfeeding families feeling confident in their breastfeeding relationship and their dental care. This presentation will compare the latest research and recommendations from the dental and lactation fields, as well as outline support strategies for assisting lactation clients as they understand the relevant information, communicate with their dental professionals, and make informed decisions about their breastfeeding relationships.

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Marion Rice, Ed.D., IBCLC is the Executive Director of the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon (BCO). BCO is the statewide entity that serves to build and link families, community partners and geographic and culturally specific coalitions to support, promote and protect breastfeeding in Oregon. The Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon works to address the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding by working to provide technical assistance, support and training to 20 (and more emerging) breastfeeding coalitions throughout the state. Marion is working to understand and address the impact of racial inequity on breastfeeding support and on helping all families reach their breastfeeding goals to improve the lifelong health of their babies. She sees breastfeeding as a social justice issue, and tries to reveal and address public policy and practice that inadvertently discourage women from reaching their breastfeeding goals and helping to maintain family economic security. Marion believes breastfeeding is unifying and builds cultural bridges and personal relationships for deeper personal understanding of the commonalities of the human experience.
Kimberly Seals Allers is an award-winning journalist and a leading commentator, speaker and consultant on breastfeeding issues, with an expertise in African American women and racial disparities in breastfeeding. As a consultant and speaker, Kimberly works with organizations looking to better understand the cultural barriers and community influences that impact breastfeeding continuation rates in vulnerable communities. She is also the founder of Shift Strategies, a health communication consulting firm helping organizations increase programmatic outcomes with more effective communication strategies. Kimberly has designed and developed strategic messaging campaigns and exploratory community-based projects examining the role of “place” in breastfeeding success and pioneered the concept of “first food deserts” and “First Food Friendly” communities. She is the director of The First Food Friendly Community Initiative (3FCI), a W.K. Kellogg Foundation funded pilot program to create and accredit breastfeeding-supportive community environments. A former writer at Fortune and senior editor at Essence magazine, Kimberly is an IATP Food & Community Fellow, connecting the “first food” to the broader food movement. Kimberly was also selected as a lead commentator for the United States Breastfeeding Committee’s “Break Time for Nursing Mothers” federal campaign. Previously, she served as the editorial director of the Black Maternal Health Project of Women’s eNews. Kimberly fifth book, The Big Let Down—How Big Business, Medicine and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding will be released in July 2016 by St. Martin’s Press.
This session will look at challenges to reducing the barriers to greater availability of banked human milk within the context of breastfeeding inequities, disparities in birth outcomes and the state of motherhood in the United States. The session will provide participants with understanding of the evidence around the inequities in preterm birth and infant mortality rates of specific cultural groups and the importance of advancing human milk banking and breastfeeding as a primary strategy for improving the health of the most vulnerable citizens, babies through an equity lens.

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