GOLD Learning Speakers

This presentation highlights how much of the vocabulary and terms used by professionals can be confusing and intimidating to lay people. The speaker will focus on ways of simplifying birth and breastfeeding through visual instruction and common language. Many teaching suggestions and strategies are given throughout the presentation. We as educators and advocates must learn to translate perinatal terms into words familiar to communities in order to be successful in reaching everyone with the vital message that human milk is important to human babies.

Promoting collaborations among caregivers and healthcare providers to ensure consistent and continual breastfeeding support. This talk uses humor and scenarios to point out the necessity that those entrusted with a family’s care be professional, inclusive and open in order to provide the best support possible.

Functioning in the role of a lactation educator, one must be equipped with the tools for effective communication. This topic explores the many ways to communicate successfully with prenatal and postpartum individuals. The talk highlights open-ended questions, affirmations, education and the anticipated results of three-step counseling. The presentation also explains how to recognize “change talk” and what words may signal an “open door” to further opportunities for sharing. Circle Charts and Participant Centered Education are discussed in detail. This talks prepares the counselor to share information in an open-minded, non-judgmental way that results in profitable teaching and learning for the counselor and perinatal person. These skills are presented in a fun, unique way and provide more tools for the lactation educator’s tool box.

As educators and health organizations, we mostly target prenatal women with the breastfeeding message and then are surprised at the push-back we receive from those who do not embrace breastfeeding. In order to tip the scale in breastfeeding acceptance, we must broaden our audience. This presentation will focus on reaching a larger audience. We must project our message to the masses. It is crucial to share breastfeeding education to society, early and frequently. Breastfeeding education should begin in the school system and be geared for each age appropriately. We must offer education in a way that each person and organization understands how it applies to them and their situation. For instance, employers will be more likely to embrace the employee that breastfeeds if they understand the far-reaching effects of breastfeeding. The lawmakers will be more likely to approve lactation laws if they comprehend the need for legislation. Partners will offer appropriate support if they receive the same education that is often reserved for the pregnant woman. This presentation will give suggestions of how to reach family, communities, professionals, and lawmakers with the breastfeeding message. When societies embrace breastfeeding, they will embrace breastfeeding women and see it as the norm.

Get that idea of creating a prenatal breastfeeding class out of your head and make it a reality! You have wisdom to share, but how do you share it in a way that captures parents’ attention and appeals to different learning styles? In this interactive presentation, I’ll guide you through the process of creating a prenatal breastfeeding class. Join in as we work with tools and handouts that will help you create a prenatal breastfeeding class that meets the goal of setting parents up for breastfeeding success!