LP – Clinical Techniques

Every breastfeeding/lactation support professional must engage in evidence-based practice but what of the art of breastfeeding support? This learning pathway provides opportunity for the participant to learn clinical application skills to which they may not have been previously exposed. From strategies to support milk-making to thorough but gentle
examination of the infant’s mouth, clinical skills are presented in video and discussed. The presentation on infant latch provides a well-rounded explanation of the postural goals of proper infant positioning, use of infant reflexes for latch facilitation and proper maternal ergonomics. The module on finger-feeding includes an exploration of the current research
on the method and demonstrates proper technique with evidence-based tools to compliment the method. This pathway also
explores cognitive bias, the deterrent to open-minded practice. We all must continue to grow as clinicians, if we get stuck in doing things a specific way because we believe in them, we stop growing as practitioners to the detriment of our
clientele.

Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Moral Injury in Members of the Perinatal Team

Critical Thinking for the Clinician: Herbs for Lactation and Postpartum Mood

The Conscious Baby: How Understanding the Baby's Experience Improves Birth, Helps Parents, and Increases Health Lifelong

Breastfeeding the Late Preterm Infant

Introducing Primitive Reflexes 2: A Means to Developing 3D Motor Function

Ethics in Public Health, Clinical Practice, and Lactation: The ABCs of Doing the Right Thing

Introducing Primitive Reflexes: A Means to Understanding Motor Development

Tongue-Tie: A Journey from Past to Future

Since the time of Aristotle, tongue-tie has been known to create functional oral problems. Dr. Hazelbaker takes the learner through a journey from Aristotle’s time to the present, identifying when the controversy around tongue-tie treatment began. New controversies developed with the introduction of the posterior tie, lip tie, and buccal tie generating an industry around […]

Does Breastfeeding Protect Maternal Mental Health?: The Impact of Oxytocin and Stress

Presented by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D., IBCLC, FAPA Depressed mothers are less likely to breastfeed and yet breastfeeding protects against depression. Breastfeeding supports the oxytocin system which over-rides the stress response. Conversely, stress suppresses the oxytocin system, making depression and breastfeeding difficulties more likely. This module describes oxytocin vs. stress and then applies this knowledge to […]

Assessment and Treatment of Tongue-tie and Lip-tie: Cognitive Errors, Ethics, and Differential Diagnosis

Dr. Hazelbaker describes the most common cognitive errors in this groundbreaking presentation using tongue-tie assessment and treatment as illustrative examples. She connects the dots between cognitive errors and unethical behavior rampant in the assessment and treatment of tongue-tie and lip “tie.” A discussion of the impact of bias on the differential diagnosis process concludes the […]

Using the Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function™©

Professionals need reliable tools to support babies regardless of the feeding method. Dr. Hazelbaker created The Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function™© (ATLFF™©) as a result of her work developing, formalizing and codifying the diagnostic criteria for tongue-tie in infants. The ATLFF™© remains the only valid and reliable tongue-tie screening and assessment tool for infants […]

Torticollis: Causes, Impact on Breastfeeding, and Solutions

Over 25% of North American infants are afflicted with torticollis. Torticollis presents unique challenges to breastfeeding, and the incidence of this formerly rare condition is on the rise. In this module, Dr. Hazelbaker reviews the causes of the condition in detail, she outlines an assessment process, and she presents learners with multiple therapeutic strategies for […]

To Clip or Not to Clip: The Evidence

For decades, assessing and treating tongue-tie has been a controversial subject. In this module, Dr. Hazelbaker presents the most up-to-date research on infant tongue-tie definition, impact, assessment, treatment, and treatment outcomes. She examines the on-going tongue-tie controversy in-depth, and she provides learners with evidence-based guidelines for the clinical decision-making process.

Pre- and Perinatal Influences on Infant Suck-Swallow-Breathe

Infant sucking dysfunction has exponentially increased over the past two decades. This module focuses on the multiple factors responsible for the increased challenges to the gestate and neonate and suggests solutions for prevention.

Plagiocephaly: Causes, Impact on Breastfeeding, and Solutions

Acquired and positional plagiocephaly affects as many as 45% of babies born in the United States. Plagiocephaly can cause multiple functional issues in infants, including compromised breastfeeding. In this module, Dr. Hazelbaker reviews the causes of the condition and an assessment process in detail, and she presents learners with multiple therapeutic strategies for resolving plagiocephaly-derived […]

Physiology of Infant Suck

Understanding the suck-swallow-breathe triad is foundational knowledge that lactation professionals must have to evaluate and treat dysfunctional feeding issues successfully. Anatomical knowledge serves as a base for this module, which details the physiological components of the triad. In this module, Dr. Hazelbaker presents models, animations, and videos to demonstrate the function of the six valves […]

Maxillary lip “tie”: Fact or Fiction?

This module addresses the widespread but non-evidence-based maxillary lip-tie phenomenon. What do we know about lip-tie? Does it affect infant breastfeeding? Can it cause dental issues? This module addresses these questions and more by reviewing the scientific evidence and providing guidance professionals will utilize in making ethical, evidence-based clinical decisions.

Faux Tie: When is tongue-tie NOT a tongue-tie?

In this module, Dr. Hazelbaker describes the differences between actual tongue-tie and sucking issues that can appear to be tongue-tie due to altered tongue posture. She provides learners with a conceptual framework for such an occurrence; learners will view pictures and videos that help illustrate the differences between a true tie and a faux tie, […]

Failure to Launch: Working with the Baby who has trouble Latching or who can’t Latch

Recently, we have seen an increase in latching problems among neuro-typical babies. In this module, learners will gain an understanding of the various treatment approaches that address this specific form of infant sucking dysfunction. Dr. Hazelbaker suggests criteria for selecting treatment approaches that support the breastfeeding goals for infants who have difficulty latching or who […]

Classifying Infant Sucking Problems

What does “normal” look like when it comes to the suck-swallow-breathe triad? This module presents normal, establishes a baseline, and provides a detailed explanation of the differences between oral-motor sucking issues and sensory-based sucking issues. Dr. Hazelbaker outlines five categories of infant sucking pathology. She proposes a classification system to support professionals with assessment so […]

Anatomy of Infant Suck

This module focuses on the complex anatomy of infant breastfeeding, including structures in the suck-swallow-breathe triad: muscles, fascia, and peripheral nerves. Further, this module provides a detailed look at the roles of the sub-cortical and cortical areas of the brain in the coordination and maturation of suck-swallow-breathe.

7 Strategies for Resolving Infant Sucking Problems When Bodywork is Inaccessible

There is significant anecdotal and research evidence to prove that bodywork can help resolve infant sucking problems. In the absence of readily available bodywork, the professional breastfeeding supporter and lactation consultant/therapist can effectively address infant sucking issues using one, some, or all of the seven strategies presented.