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Description

Hear from Dr. Ann Kellams, a Newborn Hospitalist and Breastfeeding Medicine specialist, and current President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine about evidence-based ways to support and manage the first few weeks of exclusive breastfeeding.  Learn practical strategies to help new families meet their breastfeeding goals.

Objectives

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• dispel common myths about breastfeeding management
• troubleshoot a painful latch
• give advice to parents about strategies to be successful with breastfeeding

Presenter Bio:

Ann Kellams has extensive experience caring for newborns and their mothers and families with a broad diversity of racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, education, and insurance status in the hospital during the birth stay and in the outpatient settings since 1998.  For the past 16 years, she has worked exclusively with this population of new and expectant parents and their newborns on the maternity unit and also in an outpatient clinic setting. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia (UVA), attends on the Newborn Hospitalist service (and was Medical Director for 12 years), and is Director Breastfeeding Medicine Services. Dr. Kellams has expertise in clinical trials and specifically in studying prenatal breastfeeding and safe sleep education videos, hospital quality improvement, and mHealth postnatal breastfeeding and safe sleep interventions. She also has extensive experience examining disparities in infant care practices such as breastfeeding and safe sleep.  Dr. Kellams is currently a Co-PI for an NICHD-funded study (SMARTER) examining whether safe sleep and breastfeeding mHealth education videos delivered prenatally and/or postnatally impact safe sleep and breastfeeding infant care practices in a WIC-eligible population. She was previously a Co-Investigator for an NIH funded study (SMART) to evaluate different educational interventions, including mobile health methods, to teach new parents about safe infant sleep.  She was the Principal Investigator on a study funded by the Virginia Department of Health that studied a prenatal breastfeeding education video shown in prenatal clinics in over 500 expectant, WIC-eligible mothers. She has experience and expertise in prenatal education, newborn care, anticipatory guidance, and breastfeeding promotion and support in the hospital, community, statewide, and national levels, and has received special training to support mothers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Dr Kellams is a Fellow of and currently President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, is on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Breastfeeding, and also is a past Chair of the US Department of Agriculture’s National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition which makes recommendations for WIC.  She is also active and well-connected at the community level, serving on the Virginia Department of Health’s Improved Pregnancy Outcomes workgroup, is involved with the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative, and serves on the state WIC Breastfeeding Advisory committee, and the Virginia Chapter of the AAP Board.

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Description

Many families report having difficult birth experiences. Babies need their whole body to feed, and may exhibit challenges feeding related to their in utero or birth experiences. This presentation introduces “feeding trauma” and the impact of birth trauma and birth interventions on lactation. It also presents the baby’s experience and the professional’s role in to help with feeding trauma that include approaches for the newborn family, therapy for the baby, and simple tools for professionals.

Objectives

• Recognize birth trauma in the breastfeeding dyad
• Identify markers of the intrauterine and birth experience from the baby’s perspective, particularly physiological markers, postures and behaviors
• Begin to assess feeding trauma and the skills needed to integrate birth trauma as a lactation consultant, and refer as needed

Presenter Bio:

Kate White is an award-winning educator and an advanced bodyworker. She is trained in somatic therapies, prenatal and perinatal somatic health, lactation, brain development, infant mental health, and has specialized in parent-baby dyad care using somatic prevention and trauma healing approaches for nearly 25 years. She is a mother of two children, holds a BA and MA in Communication, is a Registered Craniosacral Therapist in the Biodynamic Craniosacral method and a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner. Her work combines somatic trauma healing, energetic therapies, bodywork, pediatric therapies and education about the nervous system to help give families with babies and small children the best possible start. She is Founding Director of Education for the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health where from 2013 – 2019 she created and ran the world renown Prenatal and Perinatal Educator Certificate program, a large online educational program for professionals. She went on to found Prenatal and Perinatal Healing Online and the Prenatal and Perinatal Somatics Institute. She teaches classes online and in person, and offers a training called Integrated Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics. She has a private practice in Charlottesville, VA called Belvedere Integrated Healing Arts (belvederearts.com) and offers her own seminars through the Center for Prenatal and Perinatal Programs, ppncenter.com

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Description:

Many workers find it difficult or even impossible to manage their pregnancy, lactation, and postpartum health needs while working. Thankfully, pregnant, postpartum, and lactating workers now have new rights under federal law. The PUMP Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act now require employers to provide changes at work to protect pregnant/postpartum workers’ health and wellbeing. These changes include everything from pumping break time and space, to permission to eat and drink on the clock, to maternity leave. This session will provide an overview of the new laws, how to use them, and where to go for assistance.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the learner will be able to:

1. Understand core protections provided by the new laws protecting lactating workers (PUMP and PWFA)
2. Understand core protections provided by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to pregnant workers and those with pregnancy-related conditions; and,
3. Employ tools and strategies to respond to common workplace challenges they may encounter in their communities.

Presenter Bio:

Jessica Lee is a mother and an anti-discrimination attorney focusing on the needs of pregnant and caregiving workers and students. For the last two decades, Jessica has worked with non-profit organizations to advance gender, racial, and environmental justice in Virginia and internationally. In 2015, Jessica joined the Center for WorkLife Law where she is now the Senior Staff Attorney and Director of the Center’s Pregnant Scholar Initiative. Jessica’s research and advocacy advances gender and racial equity in the workplace and in education, and she is a nationally recognized expert on the laws at the intersection of employment, education, and maternal and infant health. Jessica directly counsels pregnant and postpartum people facing discrimination or health risks at work or school and enjoys translating complicated legal issues into approachable and useful tools for non-lawyers. She also engages in policy advocacy to secure protections for workers and families, with the overarching goal that no one should have to choose between protecting their health and earning a living. Jessica earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. In her free time, Jessica can usually be found caring for her edible and medicinal garden or exploring nature with family. Jessica is a member of Nurture’s Board of Directors.

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Description

This session will provide participants with an introductory sensitization to infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) policies and recommendations. Then, participants will explore the new CDC IYCF-E Toolkit, with activities to plan and map out how to implement it in their work and communities.

A link to the toolkit is here.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this presentation, learners will be able to:

• Describe a health equity lens for IYCF-E policies, practices, and programs in supporting health equity
• Describe how at least 3 components of the new CDC IYCF-E toolkit may be used in their own organizations, communities, and health systems.
• Name at least 1 IYCF-E related education, training, or skills competency gap that participants would like to address in their organization and/or communities

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist is an Assistant Professor at the UNC-Chapel Hill, Department of Maternal and Child Health, affiliate faculty of the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI), and faculty fellow of the Carolina Population Center. She is a medical anthropologist and IBCLC. Dr. founded the CGBI Lactation and Infant Feeding in Emergencies (L.I.F.E.) Initiative in 2017, and leads research, practice, and advocacy for evidence-based and quality infant feeding support in disasters and other emergencies in the U.S. and internationally.  She is a CGBI representative to the WHO/UNICEF Global Breastfeeding Collective and the ENN Infant Feeding in Emergencies Core Group. In 2020, Dr. Palmquist became the Co-Steward of the United States Breastfeeding Committee, COVID-19 Infant and Young Child Feeding Constellation. Dr. Palmquist has previously served as an International Lactation Consultants Association liaison to the United Nations. Since July 2022, she began her new role as co-lead of the Gillings Humanitarian Health Initiative.

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Nurture is creating an online repository of verified pregnancy and early parenting resources with the goal of making Richmond’s perinatal health resources readily visible to pregnant and postpartum families and providers, reducing organizational siloing, and creating a better networked maternal/infant health ecosystem. During this session you’ll learn about the background work that went into its development and be able to provide feedback on the directory while it’s still in beta form. 

• Objectives:
• Learn about the factors that inspired the directory
• Review similar directories in other communities
• Reflect on how a resource can support and connect Richmond’s perinatal health community

Presenter Bio:

Leslie Lytle is a mother, wife, yoga teacher, and childbirth advocate who thrives on connecting people with resources and facilitating growth. Leslie began working with pregnant people as a massage therapist in 1992, which influenced her choice of care providers for her own pregnancy in 1995. Inspired by the midwife-supported birth of her son, she became a doula in 1998, began teaching prenatal and postpartum yoga in 2000, and is a former Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. Over 3000 pregnant and postpartum people have participated in her programs.

Leslie holds an MS in Sociology where her focus was the sociology of health and illness with additional coursework in public health. She is fascinated by the intersection of biology and culture that is ever present in the childbirth and early parenting arenas. A member of the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program Class of 2013, Leslie completed a Certificate in Non-Profit Management through Non-Profit Learning Point in 2014, is the 2016 recipient of the Pat Asch Fellowship for Social Justice, and is a member of Initiatives of Change’s Community Trustbuilding Fellowship cohort of 2018. She looks forward to the day when Richmond will be known far and wide as a parent/baby/family friendly city.

with Ashlynn Baker, BSN, RN, IBCLC

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Description:

In this presentation participants will heighten their awareness of the current ethical dilemmas in human milk feeding as it relates to non-profit milk banking, NICU feeding protocols, and mounting pressure from profit seeking entities. Knowledge gained from this presentation will allow the learner time to assess for impact in their own practice and plan for strategic advocacy efforts.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the formula recall impact.
• Briefly discuss the class action lawsuits related to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).
• Review the proposed Federal Donor Milk Acts.

Helpful Links:

• Donor Milk Safety Act
• Access to Donor Milk Act.

Presenter Bio:

Ashlynn Baker, BSN, RN, IBCLC is the Director of The King’s Daughters Milk Bank in Norfolk, VA. She spent 8 years at the bedside as a NICU nurse before establishing our states first and only non-profit human milk bank in 2014. She is an international board certified lactation consultant and the recipient of the March of Dimes Neonatal Nurse of the Year Award, the Women in Business Achievement Award and the Health Care Hero Award. Ashlynn served two terms as a board member for The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and has been chosen to represent HMBANA on the United States Breastfeeding Committee in 2023. She oversees the operations of The King’s Daughters Milk Bank which is in its ninth year of operation and currently serves over 35 hospitals stretching from New Jersey to Florida.  

Healing for Feeding: Helping the Newborn Family After Traumatic Births

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You won’t want to miss this one! Please join us for our last Perinatal Health Monday of 2022 as we welcome maternal health strategist, healer, and researcher TaNefer L. Camara for a lively and provocative discussion about interdisciplinary approaches to lactation and breastfeeding education, advocacy, protection and promotion. After her presentation there will be opportunity for small group conversations to begin thinking about how you might implement these strategies within your own sphere of influence.

Objectives

1. Identify disciplines that can work collaboratively with lactation specialists to support breastfeeding and the provision of human milk.
2. Discuss challenges in supporting families or parents  with the greatest disparities in breastfeeding and facing multiple social and or economic challenges.
3. Strategize a plan for reaching marginalized communities and people with high risk and greater needs.

Presenter Bio:

TaNefer L Camara hails from Oakland California. She is a maternal health strategist, healer and researcher with over 15 years’ experience in public health and social services. Inspired by the legacy of Traditional Black Midwives & Healers, she began her journey into Women’s Reproductive Health and Birth Work in 2005. TaNefer has supported mothers through pregnancy, birth & postpartum as a doula/healer/educator and is most known for her work as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She is a Co-Founder of the B.L.A.C.K Course and Owner of T.L.C Consulting and Maternal Healing. She has trained and educated peers, professionals and families in lactation and infant feeding and is world renowned for the viral “Teach Me How to Breastfeed” song and music.

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Join Shanteny Jackson, Executive Director for the Virginia Community Health Worker Association as we review the roles and responsibilities of Community Health Workers as frontline public health workers.  Shanteny will also explore the integration of culture and specialty areas (or scope) that support populations at risk by increasing access to services and reducing barriers to care. Lastly, we will look at the impact policies and health promotion education have in supporting health and wellness infrastructures and resources.

Objectives: 

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The presentation will define trauma-informed care, do a brief literature review with a focus on the role of culture/identity and complex PTSD. We will work on identifying benefits and significance of trauma-informed approaches and complete a brief case study to identify trauma and take trauma-informed approaches. In addition, we will review tools for identifying and working in trauma-informed ways and complete action-planning for individual goals.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this presentation, learners will:

1. Identify three evidenced-based methods for assessing trauma and complex trauma in an empathetic and culturally-informed way.

2. Define complex PTSD and PTSD and identify common signs in perinatal healthcare.

3. Develop a concrete action plan relevant to their background, speciality, and work environment to support trauma-informed perinatal care.

Nurture is partnering with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide continuing education credits for this activity.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Janelle S. Peifer is a licensed clinical psychologist, inclusion consultant, and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Richmond of psychology. She specializes in research, mentoring, and clinical work related to complex trauma, culture and identity, and perinatal mental health. She founded and leads two private psychotherapy practices–Peifer Psychology and The Center for Inclusive Therapy + Wellness. Dr. Peifer has worked in schools, hospitals, college counseling centers, veteran’s affairs administrations, and community mental health clinics and believes in low-barrier, solutions-focused therapy rooted in evidence-based practices.

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Birthmark Doula Collective’s Infant Ready program is built on international standards for infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCFE) and promotes breastfeeding as the safest feeding option in emergencies through training, educational materials, and distribution of emergency feeding kits. This presentation highlights our experiences providing support to pregnant and parenting families following Hurricane Laura in 2020. It raises the important question of how to support populations with low breastfeeding rates in emergencies and offers recommendations for improving perinatal emergency preparedness for future disaster events.

Objectives:

1. Define infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCFE).
2. Describe the gaps observed in supporting pregnant and parenting families with children under 2 years old following Hurricane Laura in New Orleans.
3. List 2 recommendations for improving perinatal emergency preparedness.

About the Presenter:
Malaika Ludman is a birth doula and certified lactation counselor who holds a master’s degree in public health. She is a program coordinator at Birthmark Doula Collective and primarily manages the organization’s emergency preparedness program. As a mother of two, she recognizes the value in providing all pregnant and postpartum families with equal access to gentle, supportive, and compassionate care. Before becoming involved in community-based maternal health programs and services, Malaika served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin and later spent 5 years working for a global non-profit organization based in the DC area.

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#RVAbreastfeeds is a Healthy Communities Action Team administered by Nurture that promotes policy, systems, and environmental changes that support a breastfeeding friendly community in Richmond, VA. Join the first convening of #RVAbreastfeeds for 2022, reconnect with your colleagues, and help shape our direction for the year to come. We’ll review the 10 Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community determine actionable steps we can take during the year to come in light of the current pandemic situation.

#RVAbreastfeeds is supported by a grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth.