The Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad: A MasterClass for the IBCLC

Presented by: Sandra Coulson, MS, ST, ED, COM, Bryna Hayden, IBCLC, RLC, Jennifer Tow, BFA, MA, IBCLC, LMT, CSOM, Sharon Vallone, DC, FICCP

The IBCLC Master Class has gone on-line!

Presale! Course reopens on May 4, 2026.

Join us for the IBCLC Master Class as we present, discuss and explore the various tricks, tools, resources, interventions and innovative techniques that we can utilize as IBCLCs in supporting the habilitation of the breastfeeding dyad in overcoming oral dysfunction.

RECORDED SESSIONS:
Viewed in sequence.
Learning to See Babies, Jennifer Tow

Introduction: The Role of the Primitive Reflex in Oral Function, Bryna Hayden
Myofunctional Disorders: Origination in Infancy, Long-term Impact on Human Health: Sandra Coulson

Functional Assessment of the Breastfed Baby, Bryna Hayden & Jennifer Tow

Breastfeeding: the Architect of the Human Airway, Jennifer Tow

Rhythmic Movement for Function, Bryna Hayden
The Role of Bodywork in Normalising Function, Sharon Vallone

Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Bryna Hayden & Jennifer Tow

Looking at the WHOLE BABY: Taking A Wide-Angle Lens

Maternal History and its Role in Functional Habilitation, Jennifer Tow

Collaborative Assessment of Neurologic and Biomechanical Function as it Affects Breastfeeding, Bryna Hayden & Sharon Vallone

Supporting Healing and Optimising Function Post Tongue-tie Release, Jennifer Tow

Effectively & Ethically Communicating With & Teaching Parents, Professionals, Colleagues, Bryna Hayden
Steps to Habilitation: Applying Our Tools in Normalising Function, Sharon Vallone

Integrative Session The Interdisciplinary team: Integration of Assessment Skills, Sandra Coulson, Bryna Hayden, Jennifer Tow, Sharon Vallone

Case Presentation: Functional Feeding: Theory into Practice, Jennifer Tow


CERPS
Application for Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) has been submitted to the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners®

MANUAL THERAPY TRACK 17.5 hours for Chiropractors and Osteopaths, click here. 

6 MONTH ACCESS to all webinars. Access will begin once the IBCLC MasterClass has received CERPs approval.
TICKETS:
Payment:
$775 IBCLCs
$375 ONLY FOR PREVIOUS ATTENDEES reviewing the course. Attendance at other courses hosted by IPN does not apply. 
Please note, fee includes the full deck of exercise cards for first time attendees. The exercise cards will be mailed to IBCLC attendees free of charge in the US. Shipping will be charged outside of the US.

Contact Jennifer Tow at [email protected] with any questions about the course

Comments from our courses:
"So much validation and incredible ah-ha moments with loads of new information to process and integrate into practice. I have been a sponge the past three days! The heart and soul you've put into the content is palpable and I have never felt more value from the investment from any prior lactation training. I want to take allllll of your courses! ❤" ....Amy Walker Johnston, IBCLC, USA

"I loved this course- such important work. That combination of different perspectives, all that clinical wisdom, an absolute privilege to join you."...Mary Bourke, Australia

"This was one of the best conferences I've attended. I learned so much from each of you, and from many of the participants as well. I knew I would learn things to help with the babies, I didn't know that I would learn things to help myself as well! Thank you all for such a well put-together program. Everything flowed appropriately, the hands on was great, sharing your slides was generous. I would totally recommend this conference, and might even have to repeat it because you taught us so much I can't imagine retaining it all!"...Gail Dittes RNC IBCLC

"This was the capstone educational piece for my profession. It was wonderful to be around professionals who are the top performers in what we do. To be with a tribe of people who "get it" rekindled my passion for helping moms and babies. I have a love of learning and I didn't want to miss a single second of the lectures. I honestly don't know how any IBCLC can practice without taking this course. Without the critical skills taught in this course, we are not doing enough to help our communities."..Jacqueline Kincer, IBCLC

"This course should be a requirement for any IBCLC. Whether you are practicing in an in-patient setting or as a private practice IBCLC in the community, the classes included will fill in many gaps in traditional lactation education. Despite my own years of experience in allopathic pediatric medicine, I learned a tremendous amount of actionable material. The course covers much more than how to work with a dyad experiencing tethered oral tissue. I am looking forward to attending their other offerings in the near future!"...Chaya Lighten, IBCLC

ORAL HABILITATION OF THE BREASTFEEDING DYAD: COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the successful completion of the three-day course, the experienced IBCLC will be able to define the steps involved in functional habilitation of the breastfeeding dyad, educate the family in the steps to accomplish such, create a sustainable and achievable care plan, and be able to share such information with colleagues with the intent and goal of collaboration and enhanced knowledge in the field of advanced lactation.

The experienced IBCLC will be familiar with the anatomy and mechanics of infant facial structure, its role in feeding, and the ability to identify structural dysfunction. The experienced IBCLC will also be able to identify dysfunction in the lactating parent including: milk supply, subconscious feeding compensations made for ineffective nurslings and positioning. 

The learner will be able to offer various strategies to implement in a sustainable and achievable care plan for the parent to overcome these dysfunctions in their feeding journey. In addition, the learner will be able to competently identify dysfunction in the maternal or infant gut, and explain the role of the microbiome and its significance to the family. They will be able to refer to an appropriate care provider for additional assistance in such cases.

After the training, the experienced IBCLC will be able to reference a compendium of effective exercises and tools for facilitating oral habilitation, sucking and body movement.They will be capable and competent in demonstration for the families and their child(ren). The learner will be able to use multiple strategies to confidently educate families on the use and reasoning behind the care plan developed for infants with complex feeding difficulties.

The learner will be able to assess the knowledge base of their client, develop understandable and digestible explanations of the identified problems, create sustainable care plans outlining achievable goals, and will be able to help the families in their care to feel informed and empowered in their decision-making.
PLEASE NOTE:

Once the course reopens, there will be an intellectual property agreement to sign at the beginning of the course. Approval of this agreement is not automated and may take up to 2 business days to complete.

Course curriculum

    1. Intellectual Property Agreement—IBCLC MasterClass

    1. Learning to See Babies

    2. Introduction: The Role of the Primitive Reflex in Oral Function, Bryna Hayden

    3. Breastfeeding: the Architect of the Human Airway, Jennifer Tow

    4. Myofunctional Disorders: Origination in Infancy, Long-term Impact on Human Health: Sandra Coulson

    5. Functional Assessment of the Breast/Chest Feeding Dyad Part 1, Bryna Hayden & Jennifer Tow

    6. Functional Assessment of the Breast/Chest Feeding Dyad: Part 2, Bryna Hayden & Jennifer Tow

    7. Rhythmic Movement for Function, Bryna Hayden

    8. The Role of Bodywork in Normalising Function: Intro, Sharon Vallone

    9. The Role of Bodywork in Normalising Function: Part 2, Sharon Vallone

    10. The Role of Bodywork in Normalising Function: Part 3, Sharon Vallone

    11. The Role of Bodywork in Normalising Function: Part 4a, Sharon Vallone

    12. The Role of Bodywork in Normalising Function: Part 4b, Sharon Vallone

    13. The Role of Bodywork in Normalising Function: Part 5, Sharon Vallone

    1. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Part 1 Bryna Hayden

    2. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Part 2 Jennifer Tow

    3. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Tongue Huggies

    4. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Hip Massage and Stir the Soup

    5. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Tongue Tip Circle

    6. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Tongue Side Pushes

    7. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Tongue Lateralization

    8. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Lollipop Cheek Stretch

    9. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Arm Circles

    10. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Lip Stretch & Smooth

    11. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Upper & Lower Lip External Brushing

    12. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Lip Glides

    13. Hands on: Tools for Oral Habilitation of the Breastfed Baby, Lip Presses

    1. Looking at the WHOLE BABY: Taking A Wide-Angle Lens, Sharon Vallone

    2. Maternal History and its Role in Functional Habilitation, Jennifer Tow

    3. Collaborative Assessment of Neurologic and Biomechanical Function as it Affects Breastfeeding, Bryna Hayden & Sharon Vallone

    4. Supporting Healing and Optimising Function Post Tongue-tie Release, Jennifer Tow

    5. Effectively & Ethically Communicating With & Teaching Parents, Professionals, Colleagues, Bryna Hayden

    6. The Steps to Habilitation: Applying Our Tools in Normalising Function, Sharon Vallone

    1. Integrative Session The Interdisciplinary team: Integration of Assessment Skills, Sandra Coulson, Bryna Hayden, Jennifer Tow, Sharon Vallone Part 1

    2. Integrative Session The Interdisciplinary team: Integration of Assessment Skills, Sandra Coulson, Bryna Hayden, Jennifer Tow, Sharon Vallone Part 2

    3. Integrative Session The Interdisciplinary team: Integration of Assessment Skills, Sandra Coulson, Bryna Hayden, Jennifer Tow, Sharon Vallone Part 3

    4. ​Case Presentation: Functional Feeding: Theory into Practice, Jennifer Tow

    1. Post-MasterClass Completion Information

    2. Evaluation

About this course

  • $775.00
  • 39 lessons
  • 35 hours of video content

NO REFUNDS OR CANCELLATIONS FOR THE WEBINARS.

We reserve the right to refund registration in full and cancel the attendance of participants in cases of force majeure, where concerns of intellectual property infringement is at issue or for other reasons in conflict with our educational mission.

If you are not an IBCLC, you will be refunded less the Stripe fee.

Tickets

IBCLCs only