Here a just a few of the amazing photographs taken at this year’s ILCA Conference in Melbourne, Australia. Enjoy!
ILCA’s Multi-Lingual Committee
Proud Flag Bearers
Our Lactation Consultants of Great Britain Delegation
With a Furry Friend!
ILCA Presidents: Past and Present
Brave IBCLCs!
Delegates were provided with wonderful lunches.
Cupcakes!
A Busy Tweet-Up!
For the first time, ILCA conference materials are available to ALL MEMBERS and not just to those registered to attend the conference. Access materials NOW with your computer or your mobile device!
Find speaker materials and other conference information online at our new conference website. Your link to Table of Contents brings all session materials to your finger tips. With the push of a button you can preview speaker presentations and download materials. Click on Author Index to learn more about the speakers and see the sessions they will present. Those who will join us in Melbourne can also click on more handy links along the right side of the page to help you prepare for conference week. Free wireless will be available in the meeting rooms at the Convention Centre for those who wish to get online.
For the first time at an ILCA Conference you will have access to conference materials through your mobile device! Search the app store for ILCA 2013 on your android, iPhone or tablet device to download your conference app. You can then refer to your mobile device at any time during conference week to stay in touch with all the events.
Most of the app features are live now! Clicking on the Schedule icon brings you to the Full Schedule with links to each event. Conference registrants can even build your own Itinerary of all the events you want to attend. The File Library will be live by the end of the week and will contain all presentation materials submitted by speakers. Those coming to Melbourne can acquaint yourselves with all the features of the 2013 ICLA Conference app before you arrive. Click on the links to see how easy it will be to keep your finger on the pulse of the conference!
By Mistel de Varona
It’s always good to be home after being away, but even better when I’m still glowing from a wonderful experience! USLCA’s inaugural conference “Gateway to Excellence” was excellent, but it did not feel like a novice was hosting it! The education, speakers, vendors, networking, and all the little details were top notch.
The education was multifaceted, varied in degree of interest and knowledge, as well as exciting and refreshing. Marsha Walker set the foundation for the conference with the first plenary “The State of Breastfeeding in the US: We’ve Come a Long Way with Miles to Go Before We Sleep”. These are notes I will revisit many times. I’ve already shared with my La Leche League group the plethora of information Marsha taught or reminded me of at the conference. To move forward, it is essential to know where we came from. I was surprised to learn it was just in 1999 that the federal law was passed to protect nursing mothers and babies breastfeeding on federal property!
If Dr. Thomas Hale is a lactation rockstar, than I am a groupie! Since I was first introduced to the lactation world, I have admired Dr. Hale’s work (and who wouldn’t!?). He is a phenomenal speaker and was so funny! He gave interesting insight into his Infant Risk program (that let you host your site at Hostgator.com) stating “I’ve been asked everything, and everyday I’m asked something new!” Dr. Hale shared his ongoing journey researching Domperidone and the complicated process to FDA approval. It is a gift to be informed by someone you admire and respect on a topic that is up and coming. It also feels cool to be part of a group that is getting information first hand from the researchers and being able to come home and share with your coworkers, mother-to-mother support group, and coalition partners!
In addition to the seven plenaries, there were workshops and concurrent sessions. I enjoyed Barbara Robertson’s “Infant Supplementation: Should We or Should We? And How Much?” Barbara approached this sensitive topic with skill and compassion. Diane Wiessinger had a very appealingly titled session “Everything Else About Breasts”. It was entertaining to learn about the history of breast culture and other variables that can impact breast health. A new favorite speaker of mine came from the no nonsense approach of Linda Smith. She spoke about “Lactation Consultant Time and Effectiveness”. This was a great review of what is necessary and what isn’t when a consultant is crunched for time with a mother and baby. She is a must see! Linda Smith is a featured speaker at the upcoming ILCA conference “Born to Breastfeed: A Global Public Health Imperative” in Australia along with many other fantastic speakers.
Attending events like these are priceless. I walked away feeling educated and reenergized. In addition to the education, the conference provided me with an amazing networking experience. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many familiar faces from my first conference, ILCA 2012 in Orlando. We picked up where we left off, just like old friends. New relationships were formed too. I also found the authors and speakers that I admire easily accesible and friendly. How cool to have a conversation with Diana Wiessinger about normalizing breastfeeding in our culture or to personally thank Nancy Mohrbacher for a great resource book for La Leche League leaders to help mothers!
I’m also very proud that I was a part of helping USLCA raise a significant amount of money to help fund their mission to advance the IBCLC profession. With the essential help of the volunteer coordinator, Annette Leary, conference volunteers, conference participants and generous donors, we raised funds through the silent auction and raffle. Thank you to everyone for being a part of it!
My favorite part of the USLCA conference, hands down, was connecting with another attendee that gave me a lead on a job. Coincidence or not, it was after Denise Altman’s session entitled “Where are the Jobs?” Come for the education, networking, break from everyday life, but attending a conference may have life changing consequences!
How will you benefit from ILCA’s 2013 Conference in Melbourne, Australia? Please attend and find out! There are still a few days left to receive the early bird rate but you must register by May 15th for the discount.
Mistel de Varona found her passion for breastfeeding advocacy shortly after the birth of her daughter. Eager to support and educate fellow new mother friends, one suggested she become a lactation consultant. A light bulb went off with that idea and has only gotten brighter. Mistel holds a CLS, is an aspiring IBCLC, pursuing an RN and is a Le Leche Leader Applicant. She’s a self-professed nerd and enjoys helping her daughter explore the world. Follow @Mistel_dV on Twitter for evidence based information mostly about lactation.
By Mistel de Varona and Annette Leary
Spring is here and USLCA’s first national conference is on its way. Gateway to Excellence will kick off in two weeks! There are many exciting things to look forward to if you are attending and an abundance of wonderfully tempting reasons to commit if you are undecided.
Not registered? It’s not too late! The standard registration rate is available until April 20th. On-site registration is available for a small additional charge. Click HERE to register!
Photo via hotel website
The beautiful and historic St. Louis Union Station Hotel currently has rooms available for the standard rate. We are looking forward to staying four days at this gorgeous hotel and the pictures on the hotel’s website are breathtaking. Beautiful lodging, first rate education and fun networking make this conference the perfect working vacation. Sharing a room is a great way to build a relationship with another attendee and will help minimize your travel costs. Check out our forums to find a roommate.
In a previous post, we highlighted our seven plenary sessions. Check them out:
The State of Breastfeeding in the US: We’ve Come a Long Way with “Miles to Go Before We Sleep” – Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Reflux, GERD and Breastfeeding – Catherine Watson Genna, BS, IBCLC
How to Evaluate Drug Usage in Breastfeeding Mothers – Thomas Hale, PhD
Into the Mouths of Babes: An Exploration of Infant Oral Skills – Robin Glass, BS, OTR, IBCLC and Lynn Wolf, MOT, OTR, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and the Joint Commission: Partners in Health – Celeste G. Milton, MPH, BSN, RN
Whos’ Your Daddy…Mommy, Surrogate, or Donor? Modern Families and Lactation – Elizabeth Brooks, JD, IBCLC, FILCA
How to Influence Key Stakeholders and Promote Breastfeeding Powerfully – Todd Wolynn, MD, IBCLC
With such great and diverse concurrent sessions, there will be many new ideas to bring home and share with your colleagues. Subjects span from research skills, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, social media, the “F” word (formula), birth trauma, WIC, pumping, preemies, and even a few sessions available in Spanish. It was a fun challenge to choose our topics during registration. Which ones will you be attending? Check out the conference brochure for a complete list of session topics.
All registered attendees are encouraged to get involved. More information about how to volunteer is HERE! We need help with the silent auction, selling raffle tickets and introducing speakers.
Coming for the education, networking or a passion renewal? One of the real bonuses for some attendees will be winning unique and valuable items from the silent auction and raffles. This is a CAN’T MISS opportunity! Make sure to bring extra spending money! USLCA will accept cash, check, or credit cards for the silent auction and raffle. All proceeds will benefit USLCA’s mission to advance the IBCLC profession.
The Silent Auction will be filled with generously donated items including jewelry, artwork, gift baskets, baby carriers, lactation books and DVDs, as well as other lactation paraphernalia and online conference registrations! Come to the Exhibit Hall to place your bid starting at the beginning of the conference and we’ll keep it open until Saturday at lunch. Please consider donating an item to show your support!
We’ll also have the best raffle ever! Purchase raffle tickets at the USLCA book in the Exhibit Hall. This is your chance to win an iLactation online conference registration, a year’s worth of USLCA webinars with CERPs, or a full registration to the 2013 ILCA Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Winners will be announced during the conference.
Look at the communication board as we have reserved several tables each night to restaurants which are within walking distance to the hotel. Make sure you sign up to reserve your dinner spot.
Get involved on a deeper level and tweet leading up to and from the conference using the hashtag #USLCA13. It’s easy to join and a great way to stay connected with IBCLCs around the world. New to Twitter and want to get started? Here’s a great guide to get you started.
Mistel de Varona found her passion for breastfeeding advocacy shortly after the birth of her daughter. Eager to support and educate fellow new mom friends, one suggested she become a lactation consultant. A light bulb went off with that idea and has only gotten brighter. Mistel holds a CLS, is an aspiring IBCLC, pursuing an RN and is a Le Leche Leader Applicant. She’s a self-professed nerd and enjoys helping her daughter explore the world. Follow @Mistel_dV on Twitter for evidence based information mostly about lactation.
Annette Leary is a mother of 4 and grandmother to 1 beautiful 2 yr old, Makenzie. She has been working with mothers , babies and families for over 25 years. She became an IBCLC in 1995, and because of certifying at such a young age, she has calculated that she’ll have to sit for the IBCLC exam 4 times in her life! She feels very blessed to not only be able to help new families latch onto parenting and breastfeeding but also for the opportunity to educate, groom and mentor colleagues in the field of lactation.
ILCA’s Multinational Affiliate, Lactation Consultants of Australia & New Zealand LCANZ, is celebrating its Inaugural conference in just 4 weeks !
The inaugural transnational LCANZ Conference will be held September 7 – 9, 2012 at the beautiful Sydney Masonic Centre. Located in Sydney’s central business district, it’s a terrific venue for a conference and close to all your favorite shopping.
Photo by aussiegall via Flickr Creative Commons
Easy to get to by car, train or bus, the venue will cater to all your needs. The exhibition centre and market place promise to provide educational and recreational experiences for you during the breaks.
The conference theme, Breastfeeding: A Blueprint for Life, gives a focus to the notion that if we get the building blocks right, then success will follow. The theme encourages us to
explore new ideas, challenge our current thinking and inform our practice.
This conference will feature a full day of workshops leading up to two days of presentations by highly regarded national and international speakers. Practitioners from all disciplines involved in the care of mothers and babies are invited to participate in what promises to be a fantastic three days of learning, networking and socializing with colleagues from across Australia and New Zealand.
Starting on Friday, September 7th, our three, world renowned breastfeeding and lactation keynote speakers are Sheela Geraghty, Catherine Watson-Genna and Prof. Anne-Marie Widstrom, who are making the trip to Australia to share their expertise.
Our Keynote Speakers
Sheela Geraghty comes with her perspective as a pediatric practitioner in the USA, where she cares for breastfeeding dyads and teaches medical students. She will share about the trends in breastfeeding as well as breastfeeding multiples.
Catherine Watson Genna is a private practice IBCLC from the USA, where she has written a number of books on infant sucking skills and the use of breastfeeding tools. Catherine will present on the strategies for assisting the non latching infant and about the anatomical contributions to infant sucking skills. Additionally, she will share an introduction to sensory integration.
Prof. Anne-Marie Widstrom, Associate Professor at the Karolinska Institutet Stockholm University College of Health Sciences shares her passion of with the session entitled “The newborn baby’s nine developmental stages during the first hours after birth.” She will also present “Skin to skin in delivery suite”.
On Friday, we will experience workshops presented by renowned experts. There will be something for everyone, with breastfeeding basics, advanced breastfeeding skills, ethical issues, online learning, and research appraisal and development. We will also have a special General Practice workshop called “By Doctors, for Doctors” offering amazing learning opportunities for obstetricians and pediatricians wishing to update their breastfeeding knowledge.
Saturday and Sunday’s session promise to be interesting and challenging with topics for hospital and community based LC’s.
The final day is a Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) workshop on Monday, September 10th. Experts in BFHI will gather for this workshop, which intends to build on skills for BFHI appraisal and accreditation.
