This course is designed for speech-language pathologists and related professionals seeking to expand their clinical competencies in infant feeding and lactation support. Participants will explore the clinical intersection between speech-language pathology and lactation care, including how foundational skills in swallowing, oral-motor development, and infant feeding align with lactation practice. The course will outline the basic pathways and credentialing requirements for Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification, discuss the instructor’s journey to becoming an IBCLC, and provide strategies for integrating lactation services into existing clinical practice. Through case examples and discussion, participants will gain the knowledge needed to pursue advanced lactation credentials and understand how lactation skills can enhance their care for infants and families.

Participants will be able to:

1. Describe how lactation support aligns with the scope of practice and clinical competencies of speech-language pathologists working in infant feeding.
2. Identify the educational pathways, clinical requirements, and competencies associated with CLC and IBCLC certification.
3. Apply evidence-based principles of lactation support to clinical decision-making in infant feeding and interdisciplinary care.

• 5 min: Introduction
• 15 min: Foundations of Lactation in SLP Practice
• 20 min: Understanding Lactation Science: Anatomy, Physiology, and Infant Feeding Dynamics
• 15 min: Applying Lactation Knowledge in Clinical Practice
• 15 min: CLC vs CLS vs IBCLC: Credentialing
• 10 min: Building a clinical roadmap
• 10 min: Wrap up and Questions