Breastfeeding Biomechanics: Functional Approaches to Oral Coordination Lecture Pack
Feeding difficulties in infants rarely stem from a single cause. They emerge from the dynamic interplay of the nervous system, oral and structural development, physiological readiness, and the relational environment surrounding the feeding experience. This advanced, clinically focused session brings together expert speakers to deepen your understanding of breastfeeding biomechanics and the functional foundations of infant oral coordination. Expand your clinical expertise with this 3-hour special focus package as you explore how autonomic nervous system patterns influence feeding behaviors and oral aversion, discover the subtle yet critical elements that are often overlooked during oral motor assessments and gain a clearer, more integrated understanding of the complex rhythm of suck–swallow–breathe coordination.
Important Note: Please note that this package is available on the GOLD Learning CE website and was previously offered alongside the 2026 GOLD Lactation Online Conference. If you have previously purchased and viewed this series of lectures, you will not be able to claim another accreditation certificate again.
*Only those registering for the main conference, or have registered for the main conference will have the ability to purchase this lecture pack. You will have the opportunity to purchase this add-on at the time of conference registration, or anytime afterwards (during the time of the conference).
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Speakers & Presentations
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OTD, IBCLC, SWC (Advanced Practice in Feeding Eating and Swallowing)Biography Topic Info
Dr. Christine L. Kan, OTD(Doctorate of Occupational Therapy), OTR/L, IBCLC, is a neonatal occupational therapist and lactation consultant specializing in breastfeeding and feeding therapy for medically complex infants. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a doctorate in occupational therapy in 2013, focusing on feeding interventions for children with special needs. Dr. Kan is trained in the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, Infant and Pediatric Neurodevelopmental training (NDT), Neonatal Oral Motor and Assessment Scale (NOMAS), Neonatal Touch and Massage Certification (NTMC), and holds advanced practice certification in feeding, eating, and swallowing (SWC). She works part-time as a neonatal occupational therapist at the level 3 NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) in Van Nuys and owns a private practice in South Pasadena.
She is passionate about supporting breastfeeding dyads of premature infants, infants with reflux, infants with tethered oral tissues, and infants with cleft/lip and palate. Dr. Kan has feeding experience with cleft lip/palate, Down syndrome, clavicle fractures, failure to thrive, torticollis/plagiocephaly, cardiac and pulmonary diagnoses, neonatal abstinence withdrawal, and autism. Christine has three children and is currently tandem nursing her toddler and infant.Topic: The Hidden Mechanics of Infant Feeding: Understanding Suck-Swallow-Breathe Coordination - [View Abstract]
Abstract:View Full Presentation InformationSuck-swallow-breathe coordination is a mature, synchronized process involving the suck-swallow reflex and respiratory structures. As lactation professionals, we often focus intensely on the sucking mechanism of an infant, but we may lose sight of how it functions as part of a coordinated sensorimotor sequence working alongside other systems in the body. This coordination is high-level process that involves the brainstem, stability from head and neck control, the interplay of voluntary and involuntary muscles, sensorimotor feedback, airway protection, and the proper movement of the bolus from the mouth to the stomach.
In this session, we will take a deeper dive into understanding suck-swallow-breathe coordination. We will discuss how issues with the airway, muscular system, gastrointestinal system, and overall development can interfere with a baby’s suck-swallow-breathe coordination and ability to transfer milk effectively at the breast. Additionally, we will cover practical strategies and identify appropriate referral sources based on individual needs. -
MA, HDSE, CLEC(USA), IBCLC, BCST (ICSB, SWISS), RCST®️ (BCTA/NA, USA), BFRP(BACH,UK)Biography Topic Info
Effath Yasmin is a pioneering Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and registered Flower Practitioner. She founded Nourish & Nurture, a family wellness clinic in Mumbai, where she integrates advanced lactation techniques with Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy to address birth trauma, complex Infant Oral Dysfunctions and Fascia & Fluid dynamics. Yasmin’s unique & deep insightful wisdom on Birth, Breastfeeding, Parenting, Life Coaching & Skills, and Childhood Trauma have established her as a leading voice in Woman, Maternal & Family Wellness.
An award-winning documentary filmmaker, Yasmin’s acclaimed film “Untying Breastfeeding” has garnered four international awards, highlighting the challenges in birth and motherfeeding. As an international speaker and author, she has contributed to various research publications and co-authored the bestseller anthology “Womb to Thrive” on prenatal psychology. Yasmin also cofounded an international organisation for clinical education on tongue-tie for healthcare professionals and advocating for family-centered care in breastfeeding and maternal health worldwide.
Topic: Beyond Sensory Defensiveness: A Nervous System Approach to Managing Oral Aversion in Infants - [View Abstract]
Abstract:View Full Presentation InformationOral aversion in infants is commonly approached from a sensory processing perspective, but its roots extend deeper into autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation. When an infant experiences painful feeding, medical interventions (e.g., tube feeding, forced bottle-feeding), birth trauma, or prolonged stress, their nervous system encodes oral touch as a threat. This leads to feeding refusal, hyperactive gag reflex, tongue retraction, and oral defensiveness.
This presentation introduces a nervous system-based approach to resolving oral aversion by working with the vagus nerve, cranial nerve function, and fascial restrictions. Instead of focusing on behavioural desensitization, we will explore manual therapy techniques such as Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), and relational attunement to restore oral safety and functional suck-swallow coordination.
By understanding how trauma and stress are stored in the oral-facial system, lactation professionals, therapists, and caregivers can support infants in repatterning their oral experiences, allowing for a sustainable and self-directed resolution of oral aversion. -
BEd, BA, IBCLCBiography Topic Info
Johanna Sargeant is an Australian IBCLC, writer and teacher based in Zurich, Switzerland. She is passionate about utilising her extensive training in occupational therapy, education, biomedical science, and psychology to empower parents with empathetic support and accurate, personalised care through her private practice, Milk and Motherhood.
Johanna has spent the last decade providing much-needed support to many thousands of parents throughout the country and across the continent, along with educating health professionals on how to better support breastfeeding and lactation. She recently co-created the new breastfeeding education modules for the European School of Neonatology, and travelled to Vienna to teach at the 10th Annual Congress of the European Academy of Paediatric Societies. She has additionally taught at the University of Zurich, has spoken as a panellist for the WHO’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative congress, has been an expert speaker and facilitator for Google, and has presented at a wide variety of international conferences. Additionally, Johanna has gained her Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) and is a Certified Trauma Support Specialist. Her complex personal and professional experiences fuel her passion for providing knowledgeable, guilt-free infant feeding support globally.
Abstract:View Full Presentation InformationOral aversion in infants is commonly approached from a sensory processing perspective, but its roots extend deeper into autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation. When an infant experiences painful feeding, medical interventions (e.g., tube feeding, forced bottle-feeding), birth trauma, or prolonged stress, their nervous system encodes oral touch as a threat. This leads to feeding refusal, hyperactive gag reflex, tongue retraction, and oral defensiveness.
This presentation introduces a nervous system-based approach to resolving oral aversion by working with the vagus nerve, cranial nerve function, and fascial restrictions. Instead of focusing on behavioural desensitization, we will explore manual therapy techniques such as Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), and relational attunement to restore oral safety and functional suck-swallow coordination.
By understanding how trauma and stress are stored in the oral-facial system, lactation professionals, therapists, and caregivers can support infants in repatterning their oral experiences, allowing for a sustainable and self-directed resolution of oral aversion.
Educational Credits
This Add-on Lecture Pack offers 3 hours of continuing education. 3 Nurse Contact Hours and L-CERPs are approved. CMEs are applied for.
Breastfeeding Biomechanics: Functional Approaches to Oral Coordination Add-on Purchase Details
Registration: Early Bird Registration is Open. Register Early & Save!
Presentations: Enjoy on-demand access to recordings June 2 - August 28, 2026. (Until Sept. 18, 2026 for GOLD Annual Members)
Important Note: Please note that this package was previously offered during the GOLD Lactation 2026 Online Conference and is available on the GOLD Learning CE website. If you have previously purchased and viewed this series of lectures, you will not be able to claim another accreditation certificate again.
Individual Breastfeeding Biomechanics: Functional Approaches to Oral Coordination Add-on to Main Conference |
Group Breastfeeding Biomechanics: Functional Approaches to Oral Coordination Add-on to Main Conference (per person) |
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| Early Bird | Regular | Early Bird | Regular | |
| ACountry Category | $40 | $50 | $35 | $40 |
| BCountry Category | $20 | $25 | $17.50 | $20 |
| C & DCountry Category | $12 | $15 | $10.50 | $12 |
| What is my Country Category?All Prices in $USD |
RegisterIndividual + Addon | RegisterGroup + Addon | ||
Add-on Purchase Details
- Group Registration: Pricing above is per person. Group rates for the Breastfeeding Biomechanics: Functional Approaches to Oral Coordination Add-on Lecture Pack will be offered to members at the time of Main Conference Registration Only. As long as you have a group of 5+ members when you register for GOLD Neonatal Conference, your members will have the option to purchase the add-on. Not all group members are required to purchase the add-on to qualify for group discount pricing. Groups members may choose to purchase the add-on after their conference registration however they will be charged the individual rate at that time.
Registering for the add-on is easy! You will be prompted to select this add-on package when registering for GOLD Neonatal, selecting 'yes' if you wish to avail yourself of this special education. Log in details to access the lecture pack will be the same as when accessing GOLD Neonatal, during the same dates as the main conference.
Should you have any questions about this special package, please contact us.
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If your computer does not pass the Technology Test it is not advisable to register until the possible problem is resolved. Click here for more information or contact us for technical support at [email protected].Registration Categories
As an international conference, we are sensitive to the fact that not all countries are economically equal. As breastfeeding advocates we recognise that people in these countries generally have the most need for this information and limited resources, which is why in addition to our standard registration options, this year we are offering a special registration fee for residents from countries that fall in Cat. B, C & D. The Categories are based of the World Bank Data. Please view our Reduced Rate Terms. Proof of residency maybe required.
Category A:
Andorra, Anguilla, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America. TOP
Category B:
Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Palau, Peru, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Seychelles, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela. TOP
Category C:
Angola, Armenia, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, El Salvador, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam. TOP
Category D:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Rep., Chad,Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti,Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Sao Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. TOP
Dr. Speakers Full Name
Speaker Credentials
Annet Mulder first became interested in breastfeeding in the year 2000, when she became a mother for the first time. During and because of her own breastfeeding experiences, in 2002 she became a volunteer with the Dutch breastfeeding Organization and in 2008 sat for and passed the exam administered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, she now
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Dr. Speakers Full Name
Speaker Credentials