AGENDA

Interested in speaking at the 2026 conference?

We want to hear from you! Complete the Breakout Speaker Application Form by no later than May 11, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Details are in the form.

2026 Colorado Lactation Conference – complete Agenda coming soon!  See the draft below.

Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Colorado Lactation Conference!

Access to conference recordings (and CEUs) will be available to those unable to attend during the live event – register before October 25, 2026 for full access!

Register NOW!

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Live Spanish Interpretation!

All sessions were available in Spanish via live interpretation through Zoom!

CEUs Update!

The Conference has applied for 12 CERPs and CPEUs (RD credits)!

Download the 2026 Colorado Lactation Conference Flier & Program!

Download the 2026 CO Lactation Conference Flier (coming soon)

Download the 2026 Colorado Lactation Conference PROGRAM (coming soon)

Agenda – Fast Glance:

  • 8:30-9:00 am – Poster session/Morning Coffee Networking (optional)
  • 9:00-9:10 am – Conference kickoff! Land Acknowledgement
  • 9:10-10:10 am – Keynote: Non-Latching Babies: Using Instinctive Behaviors
  • 10:20-11:20 am – Keynote: Looking Beyond The Latch
  • 11:30 am-12:30 pm – Keynote: Mind & Milk: Supporting Maternal Mental Health for Breastfeeding Success
  • 12:30-1:20 pm – LUNCH – Networking
  • 1:20-2:15 pm – Breakout Session #1 (A, B, or C – three concurrent sessions to choose from)
  • 2:25-3:20 pm – Breakout Session #2 (A, B, or C – three concurrent sessions to choose from)
  • 3:30-4:25 pm – Breakout Session #3 (A, B, or C – three concurrent sessions to choose from)
  • 4:25-5:00 pm – Networking (optional)
  • Bonus Session (early bird registration only) – 8/25 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Lactation, Late Nights, and Leveraging AI: Naya, a New Member of the Care Team. 

*All times are in Mountain Time (MT)

Agenda:

Friday, September 25, 2026

*** All sessions will be recorded – recordings will be available through December 20, 2026 ***

TIME SESSIONS
8:30 – 9:00 am Poster Session / Morning Coffee – (optional) In-Person and Virtual Networking Sessions
9:00 – 9:10 am Welcome! Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition and La Leche League of Mountains Plains opening remarks, logistics of the day; Land Acknowledgement
9:10 – 10:10 am Keynote/General Session:

Catherine Watson Jenna, BS, IBCLC

Non-Latching Babies: Using Instinctive Behaviors
10:10 – 10:20 Break
10:20 – 11:20 am Keynote/General Session:

Emma Burress, MPH, IBCLC

Looking Beyond The Latch
11:20 – 11:30 Break
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Keynote/General Session:

Ashley Sward, PsyD; Michelle Stora Grassia, IBCLC

Mind & Milk: Supporting Maternal Mental Health for Breastfeeding Success
12:30 – 1:20 pm Lunch Break – Networking options
1:20 – 2:15 pm (*2:15-2:25 Break) Breakouts #1 A: Non-Latching Babies: Intervention Strategies & Counseling — Catherine Watson Jenna, BS, IBCLC; B: Coming soon — speaker; C: Coming soon  — speaker
2:25 – 3:20 pm (*3:20-3:30 Break) Breakouts #2 A: Understanding Infant Feeding: Breast vs. Bottle — Catherine Watson Jenna, BS, IBCLC; B: Coming soon — speaker; C: Coming soon — speaker
3:30 – 4:25 pm (*4:25-4:30 Wrap Up) Breakouts #3 A: Coming soon — speaker; B: Coming soon — speaker; C: Coming soon — speaker
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Networking Time – 4:25 – 5:30 p.m. (optional)

Please plan to join us for fun, casual networking and to participate in the Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition’s annual meeting.

We will meet in-person and virtually via Zoom (will be included on your emailed agenda)

Bonus Session!

EARLY Bird Registration (only) includes access to a bonus session – 1-hour virtual-only webinar

August 25, 2026 from 12-1 p.m.

Lactation, Late Nights, and Leveraging AI: Naya, a New Member of the Care Team – Sonal Patel, MD

(recording will be available after only to Early Bird registrants; additional 1 L-CERP provided via separate evaluation)

Abstract:

The 4th trimester is a critical yet under-supported period marked by intense physical, emotional, and relational changes for birthing parents and their families. Breastfeeding and lactation challenges often peak during this time—frequent feeds, pain, supply concerns, and conflicting advice—while families simultaneously navigate sleep deprivation and limited access to real-time professional support. This session introduces Naya, an AI-powered 4th-trimester companion curated by Dr. Patel, as an innovative adjunct to traditional postpartum and lactation care. We will explore how Naya can provide evidence-informed, on-demand guidance around breastfeeding, newborn behavior, and parental wellbeing, while reinforcing safe boundaries and the central role of human clinicians. Finally, we will discuss ethical, equity, and practical considerations in integrating AI into postpartum care—highlighting where it can extend the village around new families, and where human touch remains irreplaceable.

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Session Details:

9:10 – 10:10 a.m.

Keynote – General Session – Non-Latching Babies: Using Instinctive Behaviors

 — Catherine Watson Jenna, BS, IBCLC

Breastfeeding is not possible if the infant can’t grasp the breast. Latching difficulties seem more common now than they were when lactation consulting became a profession, partly due to greater numbers of mothers initiating breastfeeding, and families of infants with medical problems hoping to breastfeed them as well. Teasing out the root cause of latching difficulties and effectively triggering instinctive feeding behaviors can result in happy breastfeeding families. This presentation covers reasons for infants to have problems grasping the breast, fostering the feeding environment the baby expects, and techniques to assist with some of the most common latching problems.

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10:20 – 11:20 a.m.

Keynote – General Session – Looking Beyond The Latch

 — Emma Burress, MPH, IBCLC

    Lactation providers often spend more time with families than pediatricians and see infants across multiple developmental stages, placing them in a key position to identify concerns and make timely referrals that support both feeding success and overall growth. This session focuses on recognizing signs—rather than diagnosing—conditions that require referral, including torticollis, a common congenital muscular issue affecting up to 1 in 6 newborns, and its impact on feeding. It also reviews CDC developmental milestones at 3, 6, and 9 months, outlines how to refer families to early intervention programs for developmental concerns, and emphasizes building interdisciplinary networks. The goal is to increase providers’ confidence in spotting physical and developmental red flags, understanding their anatomical basis, and creating effective referral plans to ensure infants receive appropriate care..

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    11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

    Keynote – General Session – Mind & Milk: Supporting Maternal Mental Health for Breastfeeding Success

       — Ashley Sward, PsyD; Michelle Stora Grassia, IBCLC

      Maternal mental health and breastfeeding success have a complex, bidirectional association that is often misunderstood. Combining the expertise of an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and a Perinatal, Infant and Early Childhood Psychologist, this presentation will describe mental health conditions that are prominent during the perinatal period and their relationship to an individual’s breastfeeding journey.  Attendees will leave this session feeling more confident in their ability to screen for perinatal mood and anxiety symptoms, approach difficult conversations, and make effective referrals for on-going support and intervention. 

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      1:20-2:15 p.m. – Breakout #1

      1 A. Breakout Session –Non-Latching Babies: Intervention Strategies & Counseling 

       — Catherine Watson Jenna, BS, IBCLC

      When infants have special needs, establishing breastfeeding can take more time and specific strategies to target the impact of their medical condition. This presentation covers strategies for assisting early feeding difficulties in infants with neurological issues such as Down syndrome, musculoskeletal and anatomic problems including torticollis and orofacial clefts, and cardiorespiratory difficulties. Counseling techniques to help parents recognize progress and reframe unhelpful thoughts are particularly important in this context.

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      1 B. Breakout Session – Coming soon

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      Abstract coming soon

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      1 C. Breakout Session – Coming soon

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      Abstract coming soon

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      2:25-3:20 p.m. – Breakout #2

      2 A. Breakout Session – Understanding Infant Feeding: Breast vs. Bottle 

       —  Catherine Watson Jenna, BS, IBCLC

      Breast vs Bottle: Infant anatomy and physiology are adapted for breastfeeding. The mechanics and physiological cost of feeding differ by method, with particular implications for preterm and ill infants. This presentation reviews differences in muscle activation, tongue kinematics, intraoral vacuum requirements, flow characteristics, energy expenditure, and coordination of swallowing and breathing during breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Methods to adapt breastfeeding and bottle feeding for special populations are addressed.

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      2 B. Breakout Session – Coming soon

      — Coming soon

      Abstract coming soon

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      2 C. Breakout Session – Coming soon

      — Coming soon

      Abstract coming soon

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      3:30-4:25 p.m. – Breakout #3

      3 A. Breakout Session – Coming soon

       —  Coming soon

      Abstract coming soon

      3 B. Breakout Session – Coming soon

      — Coming soon

      Abstract coming soon

      3 C. Breakout Session – Coming soon

      — Coming soon

      Abstract coming soon

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      Thank you to all our amazing speakers!

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