“Reframing Birth and Breastfeeding: Moving Forward” Conference Registration Now Open

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action asserts that everyone has a role in supporting breastfeeding mothers. Many women today intend to breastfeed – many have their hearts set on it. All too many women are prevented from achieving their infant feeding goals by barriers in their communities, healthcare systems, places of employment and beyond. The Call to Action calls upon all of us to work toward breaking down these barriers so that the healthy practice is the easy practice. Last week’s launch was just the beginning of working toward the 20 key actions Dr. Benjamin identified to improve support for breastfeeding. Learn more about the Call, and watch the launch at www.surgeongeneral.gov.

Through the Looking Glass

Jacqueline Wolf, PhD, and Katherine Foss, PhD, will present “Through the Looking Glass: Breastfeeding in the Media” at the upcoming March 2011 “Reframing Birth and Breastfeeding: Moving Forward” Conference hosted by CIMS and the Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposium Series. This session provides a provocative look at how television and YouTube portray infant feeding. Wolf and Foss will describe how entertainment education shapes our views of breastfeeding, the use of infant formula and the success or failure of breastfeeding promotion. The presentation is supplemented with media clips to provide participants with examples that drive the take-home message–with better breastfeeding messaging, we can improve breastfeeding rates and, therefore, maternal and infant health.

Kangaroo Care for All and All for Kangaroo Care!

Susan M. Ludington, PhD, CNM, FAAN, joins the conference program on Friday, March 11, and will present an up-to-date analysis of the benefits of Kangaroo Care for newborn emotional and physical health as well as maternal and paternal attachment. Of special interest, Dr. Ludington will address the significance and benefits of Kangaroo Care for all babies, regardless of gestational age. Kangaroo Care, a sound method of caring for all newborns includes three components: skin-to-skin contact at birth, exclusive breastfeeding and support for the mother-infant dyad. That is, doing whatever is needed for the mother and newborn’s well being without separating them.

The discounted Early Bird rates of $275 (Full Conference) and $150 (Single Day) are only available through Jan. 28. For additional program details, information about travel and lodging and online registration, visit the CIMS website.

Continuing Education: The conference program includes more than 22 hours of educational programming, and attendees may qualify for up to 13.25 contact hours for their participation.

• Contact hours have been applied for from the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
• Lamaze International contact hours have been applied for.
• Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.
• CERPs applied for from IBLCE.