AGENDA

2026 Colorado Lactation Conference Agenda

Latch, Learn, Lead: Integrating Mind, Body, and Innovation in Lactation Care

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 will be available in Spanish via live interpretation through Zoom

CEUs Update!

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

Download and share the 2026 Colorado Lactation Conference Flier!

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 – Catherine Watson Jenna, BS, IBCLC
  • 10:20-11:20 am – Keynote: Looking Beyond The Latch – Emma Burress, MPH, IBCLC
  • 11:30 am-12:30 pm – Keynote: Mind & Milk: Supporting Maternal Mental Health for Breastfeeding Success – Ashley Sward, PsyD; Michelle Stora Grassia, IBCLC
  • 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 ***

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

Catherine Watson Jenna, BS, IBCLC

Non-Latching Babies: Using Instinctive Behaviors

10:10 – 10:20Break
10:20 – 11:20 amKeynote/General Session:

Emma Burress, MPH, IBCLC

Looking Beyond The Latch

11:20 – 11:30Break
11:30 am – 12:30 pmKeynote/General Session:

Ashley Sward, PsyD; Michelle Stora Grassia, IBCLC

Mind & Milk: Supporting Maternal Mental Health for Breastfeeding Success

12:30 – 1:20 pmLunch 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: More Than Milk: How Lactation May Shift the Menopause Timeline — Alena Clark, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLC
C: LactiConnect: Implementing Breastfeeding Support Through Community-Trained Specialists Providing Telephone Counseling (Spanish)  — Lupe Zarate, MD
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: From Viral Trends to Real-Life Feeding: Supporting Families in a Social Media-Driven World — Katie Clark, IBCLC;
C: Bridging Breastfeeding Gaps: Lessons Learned from In-Home Visits — Allison Lindbloom, MD
3:30 – 4:25 pm (*4:25-4:30 Wrap Up)Breakouts #3
A: Triple Feeding: Evidence, Ethics, Maternal Mental Health, and Exit Strategies — Ana Grantham, RN, BSN, IBCLC;
B: Improving Breastfeeding Rates Utilizing Prenatal and Postnatal Partnerships: Making CHAMPS National Work at Denver Health — Bethany Carvajal, MD;
C: Moccasins on the Ground: Community – Based Lactation Support for Indigenous Families in Colorado — Amy Barcenas, ILC
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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 – must register by Aug. 20, 2026) 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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Sept. 25, 2026 – Full 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 – More Than Milk: How Lactation May Shift the Menopause Timeline

— Alena Clark, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLC

Emerging evidence suggests that breastfeeding has meaningful long-term implications for maternal health beyond the perinatal period, including its potential role in shaping reproductive aging. Prospective cohort data indicate that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of early natural menopause, independent of parity, likely mediated by lactation-induced hormonal changes that suppress ovulation and influence ovarian reserve dynamics. More recent longitudinal research further demonstrates a dose–response relationship between cumulative lifetime lactation and menopause characteristics, with longer breastfeeding duration associated with reduced risk of early natural menopause as well as lower likelihood of surgical and hysterectomy-related menopause before midlife. Together, these findings suggest that breastfeeding may help “normalize” the timing of menopause within the biologically typical window (approximately 50–55 years), while also reducing downstream risks associated with early reproductive aging, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysfunction. Reframing breastfeeding as a contributor to lifelong maternal health may strengthen advocacy efforts, improve counseling relevance for mothers, and support more holistic, life-course approaches to care.

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1 C. Breakout Session – LactiConnect: Implementing Breastfeeding Support Through Community-Trained Specialists Providing Telephone Counseling (Spanish)

— Lupe Zarate, MD

Access to timely, culturally responsive lactation support remains a significant barrier in underresourced communities. In Colorado, data from the Colorado WIC Program (2024) indicate that breastfeeding prevalence declines from 53% during the first postpartum week to 32% at six months postpartum, while only 3.5% of individuals report receiving breastfeeding information via telephone, according to the Baby & You Survey (2024). These gaps highlight the need for accessible, community-based breastfeeding support strategies and continuity of care. This project evaluates the development and early implementation of LactiConnect, a training program preparing community members to provide telephone-based breastfeeding support. Surveys and interviews will assess feasibility and early outcomes, including recruitment, retention, and training completion rates among lactation counselor participants. Recruited through a community leadership initiative, participants complete an accredited online training program covering lactation fundamentals, counseling skills, common breastfeeding challenges, referral pathways, and culturally responsive peer support, reinforced through weekly study sessions facilitated by a lactation consultant. Post-training surveys assess changes in perceived competence, self-efficacy, and preparedness to provide breastfeeding support. Trained participants then deliver telephone-based support to postpartum individuals experiencing early breastfeeding challenges, with outcomes including breastfeeding confidence and access to timely, evidence-based guidance evaluated through pre- and post-intervention surveys. Open-ended responses explore program acceptability and opportunities for improvement. LactiConnect is currently implementing this structured training program for community members to become breastfeeding support specialists. Training community members as breastfeeding support specialists may strengthen the lactation workforce and improve access to culturally responsive care, while telephone-based peer support offers a scalable model to reduce barriers and improve breastfeeding outcomes.

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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 – From Viral Trends to Real-Life Feeding: Supporting Families in a Social Media-Driven World

— Katie Clark, IBCLC

Social media has fundamentally changed how families access breastfeeding information and support. Research shows new parents check social media multiple times daily, with breastfeeding among the most searched topics—yet the digital landscape is dominated by formula marketing, misinformation, and exploitative content. This session examines the current state of social media’s influence on infant feeding decisions, exploring both the significant risks and the profound benefits of online peer support.

Attendees will learn where families are getting their information, why simply telling parents to avoid social media is ineffective and unrealistic, and how to guide appropriate use of digital platforms. We’ll explore common dangerous trends and misinformation circulating online, from inflated low supply concerns to International Code violations by formula companies. Equally important, we’ll discuss the positive impact social media can have—research demonstrates that quality online peer support increases breastfeeding confidence, duration, and maternal self-efficacy.

This presentation equips lactation professionals with evidence-based strategies to meet families where they are, combat harmful content, and leverage social media as a tool for supporting breastfeeding families. Participants will leave with practical resources for curating trusted online content, addressing misinformation in consultations, and building their own professional social media presence to ensure credible information reaches parents in their most vulnerable moments.

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2 C. Breakout Session – Bridging Breastfeeding Gaps: Lessons Learned from In-Home Visits

— Allison Lindbloom, MD

A universal nurse home visiting program offers a unique perspective on common breastfeeding challenges and provides the opportunity to address health equity barriers that, left unaddressed, increase risk for adverse outcomes associated with breastfeeding. Through a series of case studies, Family Connects nurses from the Denver metro area will share their experiences supporting breastfeeding in the home visit setting and will share common gaps in breastfeeding support that their patients have experienced. Family Connects is an evidence-based nurse home visiting program that provides 1 to 3 visits in the home for new families in the first 3 months of their child’s life; nurses are trained in breastfeeding support as well as assessment of social determinants of health. The in-home visit thus combines practical education and skills building with referrals to address health equity factors that can make breastfeeding more difficult. Cases include an infant with failure to thrive due to parental lack of social support and lack of anticipatory guidance about switching from pumping to latching; families with difficulty pumping due to lack of access to pump supplies and education about pumping; and barriers to coordination of care, particularly for non-English speaking families. Supporting these families in the home context has provided our team with insight into how clinic- and hospital-based professionals can better prepare and empower families for successful breastfeeding at home. We hope by sharing our lessons learned, we can help other clinicians provide better education for patients and work collaboratively to promote health equity for all new families.

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3:30-4:25 p.m. – Breakout #3

3 A. Breakout Session – Triple Feeding: Evidence, Ethics, Maternal Mental Health, and Exit Strategies

— Ana Grantham, RN, BSN, IBCLC

Triple feeding is a commonly recommended intervention in the early postpartum period to support infant growth and protect milk supply, yet many families experience significant physical, emotional, and logistical burdens while attempting to sustain these intensive feeding plans. This presentation will explore the clinical indications for triple feeding, the impact on maternal mental health and fourth trimester recovery, and the influence of social media and feeding culture on parental expectations. Participants will examine how health equity, access to support, parental leave, and socioeconomic factors affect the feasibility of triple feeding, particularly for vulnerable families. Practical strategies for creating individualized, sustainable feeding plans, supporting informed decision-making, and developing clear exit strategies will be discussed through evidence-based guidance and clinical case examples.

3 B. Breakout Session – Improving Breastfeeding Rates Utilizing Prenatal and Postnatal Partnerships: Making CHAMPS National Work at Denver Health

— Bethany Carvajal, MD

Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternal Practices (CHAMPS) enrolled 100 hospitals across the United States and its territories to improve maternal-child health practices. The goal of this work was to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates, improve maternity care, and decrease racial disparities. Denver Health (DH) is in a unique position to promote these goals given its urban location, patient population, and integrated care model. DH became the only Colorado hospital in the CHAMPS network in 2024. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight our implementation and compare our metrics to the CHAMPS network.

3 C. Breakout Session – Moccasins on the Ground: Community – Based Lactation Support for Indigenous Families in Colorado

— Amy Barcenas, ILC

Indigenous families in Colorado experience significant disparities in breastfeeding initiation and duration,shaped by historical trauma systemic barriers in healthcare, and lack of culturally safe support. This session introduces the emerging Indigenous Lactation Counselor(ILC) model as a community driven response to these disparities. Grounded in a “moccasins on the ground” philosophy , this presentation shares how in home community based lactation support delivered by Indigenous counselors builds trust and improves outcomes for families who have been underserved by traditional clinical models. Attendees will learn about the first ILC training to be held in Colorado,and explore how coalitions,health systems, and tribal partners can support the growth of an Indigenous perinatal workforce.

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Thank you to all our amazing speakers!

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