Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars
Michigan Breastfeeding Network presents FREE Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars that launch on the third Tuesday of the month at 8am EST. Webinars are available to watch whenever and wherever for up to 1 year after the initial air date. In order to qualify for continuing education, we ask that you register through GoToWebinar with the below links, watch the webinar in its entirety, and complete the post-webinar survey in its entirety. Within 24-48 hours after watching the webinar, you will get a link to the post-webinar survey. Certificates for those who watch a webinar on their own time and complete the post-webinar survey in its entirety will be distributed within 45 days. If you have any questions, please email hello@mibreastfeeding.org.
Available Webinars
**Please note that the registration links are intended for individual viewing. If you are interested in watching a webinar as a group, please reach out to hello@mibreastfeeding.org for more information.
View the tentative 2022 Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar schedule here.
Registration opens August 16th to watch whenever and wherever.
“Immunizations Guidance for Lactating Families” – registration opens soon!
Presenter: Shonte’ Terhune-Smith, BS, IBCLC, CLS, BD
Description: COVID-19 immunizations guidance has evolved throughout the pandemic as new information has become available. At present, there is consensus among the major public health organizations (WHO and CDC included) that COVID-19 vaccines are a safe and effective tool to protect pregnant and breastfeeding people against COVID-19. This presentation will ensure we, and the families we serve, are clear on the role of doulas, birth workers, and lactation supporters, in supporting families while centering the health disparities in saving Black and Indigenous lives.
Objectives:
- Understand that current evidence suggests pregnant and recently pregnant persons are more likely to suffer severe illness and complications from COVID-19 infections compared to people who are not pregnant
- Understand that severe infections and death caused by COVID-19 have disproportionately impacted Black and Indigenous communities
- Advocate for culture change and guidance that explicitly protects birthing folks and their support systems within our hospital and public health organizations
- Serve alongside families as advocates, educators, and birth workers with the clear understanding that it is up to the patients/clients to determine their own course of action
Approved for 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until August 16, 2023. CERP approval pending.
Registration opens July 26th to watch whenever and wherever.
“Barriers in Birth: The Fight for Community Based Doulas and Black Birth Equity” – click here to register
Presenter: Kiara Baskin, CD, CLC
Description: Community Based Doulas (CBDs) serve communities and help to address health disparities during pregnancy and birth, especially for families of color. Evidence consistently demonstrates that Black and Indigenous families experience significant disparities in pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. CBDs provide accessible, high-quality labor support to childbearing families with the goal of mitigating racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related outcomes. As they work to improve perinatal health, doulas are providing equity work while facing inequitable systems with little support.
Objectives:
- Define Community Based Doulas (CBDs) and their roles/scope of work
- Recognize the need for utilizing CBDs to address health disparities and why it is essential to collaborate with them in public health care settings
- Analyze how CBDs can improve the health of underserved communities beyond the health care setting
- Understand how CBDs improve access and reduce the cost of health care
- Identify policy and systems changes to support the integration and sustainability of CBDs
Approved for 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until July 26, 2023. CERP approval pending.
Registration opens June 21st to watch whenever and wherever.
“Lactation and Grief after Perinatal, Neonatal, or Infant Loss” – click here to register
Presenter: Anesha Stanley, CD, BD, PCD, CCE
Description: Whether or not breastfeeding was planned, losing a baby any time after 16-18 weeks gestation may still lead to milk coming into the breasts. This can be a traumatizing experience for parents grieving a baby. Offering lactation support for those experiencing loss has long been overlooked and is crucial to overall health. Mothers have the right to choose how to handle this delicate situation. With so many other decisions that have to be made immediately following a loss, some grieving parents have no idea what they will be facing when it comes to postpartum, their breasts, and human milk.
Objectives:
- Define perinatal, neonatal, and infant loss and their impact on birthing persons
- Identify normal postpartum changes and what happens to the breast and breast milk after loss
- Relate the ways grief, breastfeeding, and mental and emotional health are linked
- Recognize that there are no “right” or “wrong” choices when it comes to human milk and identify the options and support available for families
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until June 21, 2023.
Registration opens May 17th to watch whenever and wherever.
“Human Milk and Immunizations” – click here to register
Presenters: Tameka Jackson-Dyer, BASc, IBCLC, CHW and Shonte’ Terhune-Smith, BS, IBCLC, CLS, BD
Description: Due to the historical abuse and misuse of Black bodies by the healthcare system, the distrust of medical providers runs deep in the Black community. In the midst of the current pandemic, the disproportionate death rate for Black families and lack of timely access to care has increased this distrust. Public health messaging around the COVID-19 vaccine has not taken these realities into account and thus has fallen short of reaching the families that are most at risk.
Objectives:
- Analyze the history of medical racism/ anti-blackness, especially for Black birthing & lactating persons
- Understand structural inequities and their place in low access/uptake of Covid-19 vaccines
- Learn how to successfully tailor public health messaging to BIPOC families
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until May 17, 2023.
Registration opens April 19th to watch whenever and wherever.
“Honoring Indigenous Parenthood from Conception through Postpartum” – click here to register
Presenter: Lindsey McGahey, IBC, IFSD, BE
Description: This presentation focuses on the world of birth work and lactation care from the sacred ceremonies of Indigenous conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, lactation, and parenting. We will honor a view rarely seen and often buried from Indigenous voices in hopes to further protect these ceremonies as sacred and mitigate the health risks in Indigenous communities by highlighting the importance of “by us for us” care. Indigenous birthing bodies are sacred. Indigenous birth workers are sacred. Indigenous parenthood is sacred.
Objectives:
- Change the narrative of Indigenous parenting from one of disparity to sacredness.
- Understand cultural boundaries and how you can be a ceremonial protector.
- Examine the power of care as an offering vs care as power and control or abuse.
- Recognize abuse in birth work.
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until April 19, 2023.
Registration opens March 15th to watch whenever and wherever.
“Geographies of Breastfeeding: How The Nooni Project Helps Reclaim Breastfeeding in Indigenous Communities” – click here to register
Presenter: Angie Sanchez, MBA, IBC
Description: Breastfeeding in Native American cultures is often viewed as ceremony and thus an act of resilience; however, due to the effects of historical trauma, this ceremonial act has been lost. Breastfeeding is important for maternal and infant health by providing physiological and psychological short-term and long-term benefits, such as the prevention of infectious and chronic diseases and improvements in mental health, family bonding, and a return of societal values. The Nooni Project aims to train community Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselors and local health care providers in breastfeeding best practices, who will thereby teach families and community members about breastfeeding in a culturally appropriate way that meets the health and social needs of tribal communities in Michigan.
Objectives:
- Identify how geographies (time and place) intersect to affect breastfeeding rates within communities
- Recognize how historical trauma is passed down, how it manifests itself, and how to work with community members who suffer from historical trauma
- Understand how to serve Indigenous communities in breastfeeding and beyond
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until March 15, 2023.
Registration opens February 15th to watch whenever and wherever.
“Human Lactation and Mental Health: Best Practices” – click here to register
Presenters: Tameka Jackson-Dyer, BASc, IBCLC, CHW, Rosa Gardiner, RN, IBCLC, Mistel de Varona, IBCLC, and Kara Smith, BSN, RN, CLC, PMH-C
Description: The healing powers of human milk are well-known, but not much attention has been paid to the mental strain that can occur while trying to provide that milk without education and support from healthcare providers. The adjustments in the postpartum period brought on by hormones, lack of sleep, body changes and acclimating to the 24-hour care of a tiny human can be difficult for many birthing people. Add a pandemic to the mix with the added stresses and isolation from support systems, and you have a recipe for serious mental health issues.
Objectives:
- Recognize what is “normal” and “not normal” for mental health during birth and breastfeeding and how the pandemic impacted norms around the postpartum period.
- Identify how breastfeeding and mental health are linked.
- Implement lactation support best practices in relation to mental health.
- Protect mental health care with evidence-based breastfeeding support.
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until February 15, 2023.
Registration opens December 28th to watch whenever and wherever.
“Meeting Families Where They Are: Embracing, Respecting, Supporting, and Listening” – click here to register
Presenter: Rickeshia Williams, CLS, CLC, BD, CBE
Description: This presentation will focus on how to service and support lactating families where they are and for who they are in order to provide services that cater to the families and community you serve. Families must feel accepted, supported, and respected along every step of their breastfeeding journey. Changing breastfeeding outcomes and improving health begins with listening to and addressing the needs of the community.
Objectives:
- Learn how to advocate and effectively support families of color
- Empower families to self-advocate in the birth and breastfeeding space
- Enhance your skills as a birth and breastfeeding supporter for your community
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until December 28, 2022.
Registration opens December 21st to watch whenever and wherever.
“How to Navigate Lactation Support with Partners” – click here to register
Presenter: Natosha Sage-EL Bylsma, BA, IBCLC
Description: This presentation will focus on those who serve as lactating supporters; the ways in which they can best support their partners; and how breastfeeding providers can support both people as they navigate the feeding journey.
Objectives:
- Identify the supporters available for the lactating parent
- Develop ways to support the lactating partner and their support team
- Understand how professionals can work together to support the whole family
- Plan/manage a co-parenting lactation journey when families are separated
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until December 21, 2022.
Registration opens on October 19th at 8am EST to watch whenever and wherever.
“Cultivating a New Culture” – click here to register
Presenter: Lindsey McGahey, IFSD, IBC, BE and Kiara Baskin, CD, CLC
Description: Revisiting and reclaiming lactation practices for Black and Indigenous communities must happen in order to address systemic racism and ongoing health inequities for families. Lactation is traditional practice in both Black and Indigenous communities despite years of oppressive policies that work to sever families from their ancestral knowledge. This presentation is from the perspective of Black and Indigenous birth and breastfeeding workers as they share their experiences serving in their communities.
Objectives:
- Understand the historical implications and traumas that have a direct effect on birth, breastfeeding, and parenting outcomes in Black and Indigenous communities.
- Using an empathetic lens, examine clinical and community practices to better serve Black and Indigenous families.
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until October 19, 2022.
Registration opens on September 21st at 8am EST to watch whenever and wherever.
“Expanding Expectations and Building Resiliency: Empowering Parents for Successful Breastfeeding” – click here to register
Presenter: Lindsey McGahey, IFSD, IBC, BE
Description: This presentation will focus on intentional and realistic practices for families and lactation supporters to improve lactation experiences. We will examine the intersecting elements of traditional care, families, community, clinical care, and beyond to protect breastfeeding.
Objectives:
- Enriching lactation support during pregnancy to strengthen innate knowledge of not only what is possible but what is traditionally and biologically normal in the spirit of prevention.
- Using language, bravery, tradition, story telling, community and science as a foundation in resiliency and addressing difficult topics in lactation.
- Empowering parents by returning the power of lactation and informed decision making back to birthing families through validation of bodily competency, literacy, sovereignty, autonomy, intuition, tradition, and scientifically accurate, evidence based resources.
- Furthering the protection of breastfeeding by lifting lactation support in community and beyond. Honoring birthing families in the center of policy and legislation in a culturally sensitive way that validates our LGBTQIA2S+ kin.
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until September 21, 2022.
Registration opens on August 17th at 8am EST to watch whenever and wherever.
“Bodyfeeding is a Political & Cultural Act” – click here to register
Presenter: Mariposa
Description: When working with families, it is vital to respect and use language that honors the experience of the lactating parent. This presentation will include: an introduction to gender neutral language; how to use gender neutral language when working with birth and body feeding folks; and why pronouns are important in birth work in order to avoid misgendering parents and invalidating their experiences. Centered on the experience of a Two Spirit, non-binary lactating parent, this presentation will examine the intersection of political and cultural issues of racism, sexism, and patriarchy.
Objectives:
- Examine the cultural and political implications of lactation.
- Recognize the importance of culturally-sensitive lactation care and support.
- Incorporate gender inclusive language in your lactation work.
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 Community Health Worker CEU, 1 Certified Health Education Specialist CECH, and 1 CME until August 17, 2022.
Grounding Our Efforts
In planning and implementation of these webinars, we are grounding our efforts in this working definition of racial equity:
Disparities in breastfeeding are perpetuated by inequities that have historically and currently centered white people and their experiences. Racial equity in breastfeeding is both a process and an outcome. The process of working towards racial equity in breastfeeding involves purposefully decentering white supremacy and colonialism, including the notion that whiteness is the standard of normalcy, beauty, superiority, and centrality in our society. This process involves trusting Black and Indigenous families, elevating their voices, and investing in their communities. The outcome of racial equity is the adoption of breastfeeding-supportive policies and practices that eliminate negative health outcomes caused by systemic racism and realized when the social construct of race is no longer a predictor of breastfeeding outcomes.
These webinars are designed to support practice change among peer counselors, maternity care nurses, and home visitors. In providing these webinars, we are committed to 4 core values access, evidence, equity, and relevance.
- Access: alignment with ongoing efforts to equitably establish breastfeeding support in every community by providing free, web-based, and regularly occurring continuing education opportunities that equip trusted leaders to provide breastfeeding support in their communities
- Evidence: collaborating with presenters who share respectfully gathered data to inform practical, successful approaches to increase the feasibility of breastfeeding success
- Equity: collaborating with presenters who center the individuals, families, and communities they serve in the approaches they share and whose work is centered outside of the dominant culture
- Relevance: providing pertinent information on dismantling roadblocks to success that are timely and necessary to increase the feasibility of breastfeeding today
Webinar Reports
It is such an honor to learn alongside the webinar participants. We appreciate folx taking time to complete the post-webinar evaluations and sharing their feedback on the presentations as well as overall experience with the Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars.
- February 2021-22: Queer Like Radical: Affirming Abundance with Newborn/Infant Feeding presented by Etecia Brown, BA, CD
- March 2021-22: Serving Indigenous Families in Lactation presented by Meredith Kennedy
- April 2021-22: Dismantling Racism and Implicit Bias in Breastfeeding and Human Lactation presented by TaNefer Camara, MS-HCA, IBCLC
- May 2021-22: Beyond the Birth Suite: The Importance of Black Doulas in pursuit of Maternal Infant Health Equity presented by Kiara Baskin, CD, CLC
- June 2021-22: Bmadzewen yawen I Mbish Water is Life presented by Bethany Earl, RN, CNM, MSN
- July 2021-22: Breastfeeding Fundamentals and the Workplace presented by Tameka White, CLS
Partners
We are grateful to offer this series FREE of charge to participants as part of our partnership with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health and Wellness with support provided by:
- Connecticut Department of Public Health WIC Division
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- Indiana Department of Public Health
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Ohio Department of Health
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Tyler Rigg Foundation
Rush Certificates
MIBFN is happy to announce that new rush processing for continuing education certificates is now available for all on-demand Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars! For your convenience, certificate requests are processed within 1-2 business days and emailed directly to you. Designed with participants in mind, the cost is $10 per certificate. Together, we are increasing access to equity-focused, timely, and relevant breastfeeding education. Click here to access the rush processing instructions and request form. Thank you!