Media Release: Physicians to Learn Latest About Breastfeeding at 32nd Annual Seminar for Physicians: Breastfeeding-A Baby’s Right, A Physician’s Responsibility

Schaumburg, IL (February 2004). Physicians from around the world will gather at La Leche League International’s (LLLI’s) 32nd Annual Seminar for Physicians, co-sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists at the Hyatt Regency Newport, Newport Rhode Island, July 26-28, 2004. The American Academy of Family Physicians is participating as a Cooperating Organization.

Among the distinguished experts presenting research and workshops will be Michelle Brenner, MD, FAAP, IBCLC who will discuss breastfeeding support in the office. Lawrence Gartner, MD, FAAP will moderate the multidisciplinary panel discussion on breastfeeding ethics. Cheston M. Berlin, MD will explore current issues in exposure of the United States population to environmental chemicals and the distribution of these substances in human milk. Jan Riordan, RN, EdD, IBCLC will present new research on predicting breastmilk intake through visual assessment.

David Meyers, MD and Julie Wood, MD, IBCLC, FAAFP, will discuss breastfeeding basics. In another presentation, Dr. Meyers will review techniques for evaluating the validity and reliability of breastfeeding studies and reports—including materials from the Office of Women’s Health National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign. Postpartum depression and the breastfeeding mother will be explored by Ktahleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC. Dr. Tackett will also present another session with the latest research on how past abuse can affect breastfeeding and specific strategies to help.

Kathleen A. Marinelli, MD, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM will discuss the impact of breastfeeding on the occurrence of early childhood caries and tongue-tie. At another session, Dr. Marinelli will discuss the important role that physicians and other health care professionals can play in legislative advocacy issues. Ellen Robinson, MD, FACOG will explore the topic of lactogenesis, how it works and when it doesn’t. Sleep researcher, James J. McKenna, PhD will address major biases and weaknesses in at least three refereed publications which conclude that bedsharing is dangerous or deadly. Antoinette Eaton, MD, FAAP will discuss her advocacy role in the formation of the breastfeeding section of AAP and support of the WHO code. Her question and answer session that follows will allow all attendees to make a personal action plan about how they can affect change when they return to the workplace.

Many health care providers regard LLLI’s Physicians’ Seminar as the premiere learning opportunity for breastfeeding information. LLLI has fulfilled the accreditation requirements set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medication Education and is accredited as a provider of continuing medical education for physicians. The seminar provides continuing medical education credits for obstetricians, pediatricians, family physicians, osteopaths, and CERPs for lactation consultants. LLLI’s Health Advisory Council, comprised of physicians in the areas of pediatrics, obstetrics, allergy, nutrition, psychology, family practice and related fields, develop and contribute to the information presented.

LLLI is the world’s foremost authority on mother-to-mother support and breastfeeding and houses the world’s largest lactation library in its Center for Breastfeeding Information, CBI at llli.org LLLI Leaders offer mother-to-mother support, education and information in over sixty countries around the world. LLLI offers a variety of additional educational programs for medical professionals and publishes and sells books and magazines about breastfeeding and parenting. LLLI also maintains an informative website at www.lalecheleague.org that reaches millions every year. For more information about the Physicians’ Seminar, visit the website or contact Sally Murphy at SMurphy at llli.org or (847) 519-7730, ext. #218.