2012 Breastfeeding Conference

Linda J. Smith, MPH, FACCE, IBCLC, FILCA is a lactation consultant, childbirth educator, author, and internationally-known consultant on breastfeeding and birthing issues. Linda is ILCA’s liaison to the World Health Organization’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and consultant to INFACT Canada/IBFAN North America. As a former La Leche League Leader and Lamaze-certified Childbirth Educator, she provided education and support to diverse families over 35 years in 9 cities in the USA and Canada. Linda has worked in a 3-hospital system in Texas, a public health agency in Virginia, and served as Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Health. Linda was a founder of IBLCE, founder and past board member of ILCA, and is a delegate to the United States Breastfeeding Committee from the American Breastfeeding Institute. Linda earned her Masters’ Degree in Public Health through the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in 2011. She owns the Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre, whose mission is “Supporting the People Who Support Breastfeeding” with lactation education programs, consulting services, and educational resources. BFLRC is on the Internet at www.BFLRC.com.

Dawn M. Kersula, MA, RN, IBCLC is a Perinatal Specialist at the Birthing Center at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in Brattleboro, Vermont. Ms. Kersula teaches Lamaze, helps moms with lactation and is the President of the Vermont Lactation Consultant Association. She speaks about lactation and birth around the country for PESI Healthcare.

7:30 – 8:15am Registration, Continental Breakfast, Bookstore, Exhibitors, Silent Auction

8:15 – 10am Welcome and Session 1: Perinatal Lyme: What We Know and What We Don't Know About Lyme Disease During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Linda J. Smith, MPH, FACCE, IBCLC, FILCA
Well-known lactation consultant and breastfeeding educator Linda J. Smith will address the complicated topic of the transmission and treatment of Lyme disease in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Linda will provide an overview of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, explore the controversies about the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme, and present information about current research, as well as discussing best practices for treating pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers and infants. 

10 -10:30am Break: Bookstore opens, Exhibitors, Silent Auction Begins

10:30 to Noon Session 2: Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding
Linda J. Smith, MPH, FACCE, IBCLC, FILCA
This session will provide an overview of common birth interventions and explore the various ways both mother and baby may be affected as they begin their breastfeeding relationship. Individual interventions including induction, pain relief, and Cesarean surgery will be discussed along with specific strategies for lessening the impact of these interventions in order to preserve and repair the breastfeeding relationship. The Baby-Friendly hospital initiative will be discussed as it relates to birth and early breastfeeding practices in the hospital. This is an important session for all providers who work with breastfeeding mothers whether in the early postpartum period or beyond the beginning stages of breastfeeding. 

12 – 1pm Lunch

1 – 2:30pm Session 3: I Can See Those Red Flags Over the Phone
Dawn M. Kersula, MA, RN, IBCLC
A look at how to trust your instincts and get the information you need to help a mom and baby breastfeed. We've heard it many times: don't go looking for zebras. But there are times when a good look - or a few good questions - tell us that we are not looking at a horse. When should you take that second look - and how do you take a second look when you're on the phone with a mother? What the literature says about learning the role of "intuition" as we become experts.

2:30 – 3pm Break: Bookstore, Exhibitors, end of Silent Auction bidding.

3 – 4:30pm Session 4: The Other Side of Cribs and Pacifiers
Linda J. Smith, MPH, FACCE, IBCLC, FILCA
These common artifacts of Western parenting practice, cribs and pacifiers, can have a major impact on aspects of the breastfeeding relationship from milk production to infant stress levels. Separation, interference in natural biological and physiological responses, SIDS controversies and other issues will be discussed, along with research on infant development and lactation, steps for successful breastfeeding and how these topics relate to the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital initiative.

4:30 – 5pm Book Signing with Linda Smith, CEU pick-up, Silent Auction pick-up

ceus/cerps
BACE/NMC: 6 contact hours; CERPs pending from IBLCE; 6 Lamaze contact hours pending (Lamaze credits are recognized by ICEA and DONA); meets criteria of the ADA for 6 CPE credits for dieticians; meets criteria of the Commonwealth of MA Board of Nursing regulations (244 CMR, section 5:00) for continuing education for nursing re-licensure for 7.2 contact hours.

bookstore 
A wide selection of books about breastfeeding and childbirth will be available. The bookstore will accept cash, check, or credit card.

silent auction
A variety of items such as clothing, theater tickets, museum passes, food items will be on display in the bookstore for bidding.

exhibits 
Many exhibits of interest to the lactation specialist as well as for the professional woman will be available.

nursing room
A room will be available for those who need a quiet place to pump, nurse, or change a diaper. Due to the technical nature of this program we ask that only babes in arms attend with their mothers.

meals
Lunch will be a buffet offering a variety of soups and salads. Lunch is included with the full-day registration fee.

accommodations
Rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn at a special conference rate for attendees: Single/Double $89, Triple $99, Quad $109. To obtain a room at the conference rate, reservations must be received by March 1. Click here to reserve a room. To receive the special conference rate use the code NMC.

deadlines and refunds
The Early Bird discount is effective through midnight on March 2. Online registration will close on Thursday, March 22 at noon. A limited number of onsite registrations will be accepted the day of the conference. A full refund will be made for those notifying the registrar prior to March 2. A refund of the fee minus $30 will be made if you contact the registrar at bacenmc@gmail.com by March 24.

conference syllabus
The conference syllabus will be available in electronic format to paid registrants prior to the conference. For those who prefer a paper copy, this will allow time for registrants to print one out and bring it with them. Instructions will be sent to each registrant at least one week prior to the conference. If you would prefer the syllabus on a CD instead of downloading it, please write "CD" in the message to registrar box below (or include with your contact information, if registering by mail). If you select CD you will not be sent the link for downloading.

contact information
For questions about BACE or the Nursing Mothers' Council, click here.
For questions about the Breastfeeding Conference, click here.

Contact us for information about exhibiting, placing an ad in our Program Booklet or donating to the Silent Auction.

Online registration is closed.
Walk-in registrations are accepted on the day of the conference.