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Improve the breastfeeding experience that your clients have sooner

For health professionals working with families after birth

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Breastfeeding Strategies for Birth Professionals

Improving Their Experience in 0-6 Days

2-DAY IN-PERSON COURSE | 17.5 CONTACT HOURS

Rehab and medical providers are trained to support women before, during, and after birth to reduce perinatal injuries, minimize unnecessary interventions, and improve postpartum recovery. However, few providers receive adequate training in breastfeeding support, such as latch assessment, milk production, common breast issues, and evidence-based strategies, despite frequently addressing maternal pain and dysfunction through biomechanics and positional adjustments.

This continuing education course fills the gap in breastfeeding support by providing evidence-based knowledge on human lactation, manual therapy for breast/nipple pain and engorgement, and positioning strategies tailored for both the mother and infant. Practitioners will be able to recognize issues that require referral to a lactation consultant and address orthopedic impairments earlier that are related to breastfeeding which include wrist, chest, shoulder, thoracic, and cervical dysfunction in both mothers and infants. 

By integrating orthopedic assessment, postpartum recovery interventions, and advanced knowledge of human lactation, practitioners will enhance their ability to support breastfeeding relationships, improve outcomes, and provide comprehensive care during the birthing year.

Course Dates and Location: Colorado

APRIL 5 - 6, 2025

Location: Insight Pelvic Health, 2008 Blue Mesa Ct, Loveland, CO 80538 

Day 1 Saturday, April 5, 2025: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mountain Time

Day 2 Sunday, April 6, 2025: 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM Mountain Time

COLORADO INFO

Course Dates and Location: Montana

September 13 - 14, 2025

Location: Rooted Pelvic Health and Yoga, 811 South First Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 

Day 1 Saturday, September 13, 2025: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mountain Time

Day 2 Sunday, September 14, 2025: 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM Mountain Time

MONTANA INFO

Course Dates and Location: Virginia

October 11 - 12, 2025

Location: University of Virginia Medical Center, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903 

Day 1 Saturday, October 11, 2025: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mountain Time

Day 2 Sunday, October 12, 2025: 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM Mountain Time

VIRGINIA INFO

 

Course Objectives

  1. Analyze the roles of obstetrics rehabilitation and birth providers, including their scope of practice in human lactation and review breastfeeding recommendations from WHO and UNICEF.
  2. Explain the anatomy of the breast tissue, the lymphatic system, muscular system, nervous system, thoracic spine, ribs, and infant oral anatomy in relation to their impact on breastfeeding as a fundamental occupation.
  3. Describe the process of human milk production, including the role of hormones, feeding patterns, and their impact on milk supply.
  4. Demonstrate manual breast lymphatic drainage techniques, as well as rib and thoracic mobility techniques, to address engorgement effectively and enable continued participation in breastfeeding.
  5. Apply techniques to address orthopedic impairments in mothers to enhance function and promote exclusive breastfeeding.
  6. Evaluate evidence-based strategies to support mothers during the birthing process and immediate postpartum period, including the effects of medications and positional adjustments to minimize their use.
  7. Illustrate the significance of the “breast crawl” and the “Golden Hour” in establishing breastfeeding as an occupation and fostering early mother-infant bonding.
  8. Identify the biomechanical requirements for infant latch, assess the quality of a latch, and outline the steps for achieving an effective latch.
  9. Discuss proper infant feeding techniques and strategies to address common breastfeeding challenges with evidence-based solutions to promote sustained engagement in this daily occupation.
  10. Develop breastfeeding positioning strategies that accommodate maternal orthopedic conditions and infant needs, ensuring optimal latch and continued participation in exclusive breastfeeding.
  11. Recognize situations requiring referral to a lactation professional or physician to support safe and effective participation in breastfeeding as an occupation.

Access the Course Schedule

Breastfeeding Strategies for Birth Professionals

17.5 Contact Hours

REGISTER HERE

 

CEU Info

Enhanced Recovery and Wellness, LLC is the parent organization of Pelvic Health Network and is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. AOTA and Colorado PT activity approval for 17.5 contact hours are pending. The live, blended/hybrid, distance learning-interactive, and distance learning-independent activities are offered at 1.75 CEUs, intermediate level, OT Service Delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

 

About the Author

Dr. Ann Croghan, PT, DPT, CLC, CAPP-OB certified: After the birth of my first child, I became more passionate about working with women during their childbearing years and I obtained my CAPP-OB certification through the APTA Academy of Pelvic Health. Women deserve access to evidence-based information about how their bodies work and they deserve to feel well. Because of this core belief, I created an obstetric physical therapy program in the acute care section of my hospital in order to provide education and healing for postpartum impairments that can impact a mother’s postpartum recovery. This program now prioritizes care for mothers who have a cesarean birth and for vaginal births. All mothers then receive an order for outpatient follow-up care in order to continue to support them in their postpartum journey as well as early recognition of risk factors in order to improve maternal outcomes. This program has now grown to provide care for women during their childbearing years, including pregnancy, antepartum, acute postpartum, and postpartum beyond. In 2017 I became a certified lactation counselor, CLC, after the local breastfeeding coalition offered scholarships to community members in order to improve access to evidence-based breastfeeding support. Asa PT who works with women postpartum, as well as breastfeeding two children, I did not think that this class would have much to offer. I was astounded by all the information that I had gathered that was incorrect or irrelevant. Since earning my CLC, I now have an added passion of educating medical professionals on evidence-based breastfeeding support in order to help women meet their breastfeeding goals. I also offer breastfeeding support to all of my clients and integrate support into each of our PT sessions. Outside of my advocacy, and my work as a pelvic health and OB PT, I enjoy the mountains with my husband and three littles. I help to coach soccer, support my children in their passions, and I love to enjoy the local hot springs.