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GOLD Learning Speakers

United States

Allyson Wessells, PT, MPT, IBCLC

  • Speaker Type: GOLD Learning Day 2023 (Summer), A Whole Body Approach to the Clinical Management of Complex Breastfeeding Issues Lecture Pack 2023
  • Country: United States
Biography:

Allyson is a physical therapist, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and co-owner of Nurture Columbus, in Columbus, Ohio. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Ohio University in 1997, and Master of Physical Therapy degree from Northwestern University in 1999. After having a child in 2007, she volunteered as a La Leche League leader. She discovered a love for supporting new parents but a gap in lactation care, which led her to become an IBCLC in 2014. Her clinical approach to identifying and overcoming feeding challenges is unique with physical therapy foundations in posture, movement and reflexive function. Through presentations she endeavors to engage IBCLCs to know more about movement as related to human lactation, and PTs to learn about breastfeeding/chestfeeding as related to human development. As past-president (2019-2021) of the Ohio Lactation Consultant Association, she also advocates for equitable access to and health plan coverage for lactation care.

CE Library Presentation(s) Available Online:
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Note: Currently only available through a bundled series of lectures
Breastfeeding as Movement: Case Studies on Posture, Movement and Reflexive Function in Complex Feeding Challenges
Knowledge of neuroanatomy, reflexes, and biomechanics as related to breastfeeding is essential to IBCLC competency. This presentation will define breastfeeding in terms of posture, movement, and reflexive function. Examples of neuromuscular dysfunction that impair breastfeeding will be provided through a series of case studies with emphasis on dissipating stress while empowering families with strategies to optimize movement essential to breastfeeding success. The presentation will build on the definition of breastfeeding as a first movement milestone strengthened through interactive tummy time at a most basic level, and through ongoing movement related assessment and treatment as necessary for complex feeding challenges. Also addressed will be some new research on pressure to breastfeed. Awareness of how IBCLC care might be perceived is important for establishing trust among families seeking it and the healthcare community referring to it.
Presentations: 3  |  Hours / CE Credits: 3  |  Viewing Time: 6 Weeks
Watch Today!
View Lecture
Note: Currently only available through a bundled series of lectures
Neuroanatomy and Biomechanics: Breastfeeding as a First Movement Milestone
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.
Presentations: 6  |  Hours / CE Credits: 6  |  Viewing Time: 4 Weeks