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Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition

The Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition promotes breastfeeding through education, advocacy, and support, aiming to improve maternal and infant health outcomes while addressing systemic inequities in perinatal care across diverse communities.

Join the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition at Southern Connecticut State University on October 19, 2026 for Best Breast Forward: Bridging the Gaps in Breastfeeding Support.&nbsp; This dynamic one-day in-person conference equips healthcare providers and lactation professionals with evidence-based practices to improve perinatal care, tackle systemic inequities, and ensure seamless continuity of care. Conference OverviewWhether you are an IBCLC, nurse, physician, doula, WIC peer counselor, or birth worker, this event is tailored to elevate your clinical skills and community advocacy. Together, we will examine the barriers families face after hospital discharge, address systemic health inequities, and learn actionable, cutting-edge strategies to better serve diverse, local communities. Key Highlights<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Expert-Led Sessions: Hear from leaders in human lactation and maternal health.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Networking &amp; Collaboration: Connect with fellow advocates and professionals from across the greater New Haven area.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Continuing Education: Nursing CEUs, CERPs and CHES credits are pending for eligible attendees.</li></ul>Specific details regarding the ballroom and parking will be provided in an email upon purchasing your ticket(s). For issues regarding purchasing, please call Dani Freeman at (203) 410-3874._____________________________________________________________________________________ Conference Schedule8:00 AM &ndash; 8:30 AM: Registration and Welcome Coffee/Breakfast<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Introductions&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Welcome notes</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Review agenda and speakers</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">House rules</li></ul>8:30 AM &ndash; 9:30 AM: Antenatal Hand Expression: A Literature Overview&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Jennifer Ruwisch, MPH, CPH., DrPH of Fairfield University&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tumilara Aderibigbe, PhD, MPH, RN, Assistant Professor of University of Massachusetts-Boston</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Monika Costa, Ed.D, MSN, RNC-OB, RNC-EFM, IBCLC, Assistant Professor of Nursing of University of Saint Joseph</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Kimberly Doughty, MPH, PhD, CHES,&reg;&nbsp;Assistant Professor, Program Director of Fairfield University</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Heather Pickerign, MSN, RNC-OB, IBCLC of Griffin Hospital&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dionne Lowndes, BA, BSN, RN, IBCLC, Owner of Mom &amp; Me Lactation</li></ul> 9:35 AM &ndash; 10:50 AM: Operationalizing Maternal Health Equity: Doula and Lactation Training as Mechanisms for System ChangeDaileann Hemmings, DNP, RN, CLC, CCM, System Director, Maternal Health Equity of Hartford Hospital&nbsp; 10:50 AM &ndash; 11:00 AM: Morning Break&nbsp; 11:00 AM &ndash; 11:45 AM: Real Voices, Real Journeys: Why Breastfeeding Support Matters&nbsp;A Guided Panel of Breastfeeding Moms Moderated by Shannon Knox, Board Chair of the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition 11:45 AM - 1 PM: Lunch Break/Vendor Networking 1 PM &ndash; 1:30 PM: Award Ceremony&nbsp; 1:30 PM &ndash; 2:30 PM: Beyond &ldquo;Breast Is Best&rdquo;: Breastfeeding, PMADs, and Compassionate Perinatal CareSamantha Smalls, DSW, LCSW, PHM-C, Owner &amp; Clinical Director of New Chapter Counseling Services, LLC 2:30 PM &ndash; 2:45 PM: Afternoon Break&nbsp; 2:45 PM &ndash; 3:45 PM: Donor Milk &amp; Mental Health for Donors and Recipients&nbsp;Kylia Garver, MPH, Chief Operating Officer of Mothers&rsquo; Milk Bank Northeast 3:45 PM &ndash; 4:00 PM: Q&amp;A Panel and Closing Remarks<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Thanks for attending</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Retrieving CERPs</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">How to join the CBC</li></ul>

Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition

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Best Breast Forward: Bridging the Gaps in Breastfeeding Support

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