Breastfeeding Continuing Education

WIC Program Information and Resources for Local Agencies

Lactation Training Opportunities, Meetings and MN WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator Meetings

Only training in MN and adjacent states is listed here.

  • October 13, 2011 (Duluth, MN) WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator Meeting. RSVP requested. For more information contact mary.b.johnson@state.mn.us.
  • October 14, 2011 (Duluth, MN) Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) 4th Annual Statewide Meeting. Registration and additional information is on the MBC web site: http://mnbreastfeedingcoalition.org/.
  • October 27, 2011 (St. Louis Park, MN) Caring for Baby, Caring for You. Topics include: Chiropractic help for the newborn, Caring for you (the care provider) and more. For more information and to register: www.allaboutlactation.com or 763-331-1292.
  • October 31, 2011 (Fergus Falls, MN) WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator Meeting. RSVP requested. For more information contact mary.b.johnson@state.mn.us.
  • October 31, 2011 (Park Rapids, MN) Breastfeeding- What WE Know Matters. Speaker: Connie Simons, RNC, CLC, CLE, IBCLC. For more information contact RaeAnn Mayer at raeannmayer@catholichealth.net.
  • November 4, 2011 (St. Paul, MN) Metro Breastfeeding Meeting and Metro WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator Meeting. Location for both meetings: Minnesota Department of Health, Snelling Office Park, Red River Room. Click here for directions.
  • Metro Breastfeeding Meeting: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Metro WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator Meeting: 12:45 PM - 3:00 PM

If you have suggestions for the agenda of either meeting, if you would like to receive email notification for the Metro Breastfeeding Meeting or you would like an in-person WIC breastfeeding coordinator meeting in your area, contact Mary B. Johnson at mary.b.johnson@state.mn.us. Specific information about each meeting will be sent via e-mail prior to the meeting. (Please include mary.b.johnson@state.mn.us in your safe senders list to assure email delivery.)

2012

  • February/ March 2012, various dates. (Call in from any WIC location in MN) MN WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator Phone Calls. The call in number for all the WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator Calls will be included in the Wednesday Update, so you can call in at the time that works for you and don't need to RSVP. Watch the Wednesday Update for the passcode and agenda information. As always you are encouraged to submit agenda items. Dates and times:
  • Tuesday, Feb 28th: 3:00 pm to 4:20 pm
  • Wednesday, Feb 29th: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
  • Wednesday, Feb 29th: 3:00 pm to 4:20 pm
  • Thursday, March 1st: 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
  • Friday, March 2nd: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
  • April / May 2012. (Tentative. Locations throughout the state.) WIC Grow and Glow training. Watch for additional information here and in the Wednesday Update.
  • May 2012. (Your desk!) The Global Online Lactation Discussion is offered annually and internationally. http://www.goldconf.com/
  • July or August 2012. (Minneapolis, MN) National Maternal Nutrition Intensive Conference. University of Minnesota. Both traditional and distance education options are available for this conference. Please direct any questions about the conference to Jamie Stang at stang002@umn.edu.
  • August, 2012. (Any community) Breastfeeding Grand Rounds. For more information and to request to receive the announcement for 2012 go to: http://www.albany.edu/sph/coned/bfgr10.htm.

Back to Top

Technical Assistance & Materials for Continuing Education at Your Agency

  • Technical assistance available to MN WIC staff by phone, email or a site-visit. Contact Mary B. Johnson at mary.b.johnson@state.mn.us or 651-201-4406.
  • Loving Support workshops can be scheduled for 2011, when requested by MN local WIC programs. This workshop focuses on Three-Step Counseling and addresses the counseling process rather than specific management of breastfeeding. We will discuss how the counselor can work with clients to:
  • Identify potential barriers and strengths related to breastfeeding;
  • Address the barriers and reassure the client; and
  • Provide information relevant to the client.

This training will provide you with the opportunity to learn and practice a technique for breastfeeding counseling which can be used for counseling on other nutrition topics. While geared primarily for new CPA staff and those not able to attend an earlier workshop, any CPA who would like a review is welcome, as are your community partners (representatives from hospitals, clinics, LLL, other breastfeeding advocates). Please make sure everyone is registered. There is no charge for the training. CEUs available.

To schedule a workshop in your community contact Mary Johnson at mary.b.johnson@state.mn.us or 651-201-4406 if you would like a workshop in your community. You are welcome to invite your community partners.

This information is provided to encourage WIC staff and others to develop their knowledge of lactation-related issues, for your convenience, and is not meant as an endorsement of any particular course or organization. If you know of other lactation-related training opportunities in Minnesota or Border States, please send an e-mail to mary.b.johnson@state.mn.us and include as much information as you can about date, location, topics, who to contact for more information, and a URL if available.

Back to Top

Additional Sources for Breastfeeding Continuing Education

Although the MN State WIC Program has provided these links as additional potential sources for breastfeeding continuing education, this information is for your convenience, and is not meant as an endorsement of any particular course or organization.

United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA). CDs available of the following USLCA topics from 2009 & 2010 (CERPs available): http://www.uslcaonline.org/edures.html.

  • May 18, 2009. Connect-En courage-Empower-One Woman at a Time. Pat Farrell
  • June 27, 2009. Making the Breastfeeding Decision: How to Not Make It a Guilt Trip. Glenda Dickerson
  • July 7, 2009. When Worlds Collide: How Ethics Differ for IBCLCs, Peer Counselors, Nurses and Volunteers. Elizabeth Brooks
  • August 6, 2009. Code of Ethics: Time to practice what you preach? Amy Spangler
  • November 18, 2009. Clinical education: The breastfeeding surgical patient. Deb Dumphy
  • December 8, 2009. The Role of the Breastfeeding Father. Tom Johnston
  • January 14, 2010. The Code, Companies, and LC's. Marsha Walker
  • February 18, 2010. Caring for the Later Preterm Infant: Are the "Expert" Recommendations Really Valid? Molly Pessl
  • March 16, 2010. Working and Breastfeeding: Helping Our Mothers. Cathy Carothers
  • April 28, 2010. Assessment and Treatment of Tongue-tied. Alison K Hazelbaker
  • May 19, 2010. Fore-Milk and Hind-Milk Imbalance: Signs, Symptoms and Interventions. Ellen Lechtenberg
  • June 9, 2010. The Golden Rule: Ethics for IBCLCs. Diane Wiessinger
  • August 25, 2010. Becoming Baby Friendly. Anne Merewood

Back to Top

Breastfeeding materials

How to become an IBCLC

Medications and potential contraindication to breastfeeding

Web sites for information on a variety of breastfeeding topics