Best Breast Forward: Bridging the Gaps in Breastfeeding Support

Join the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition at Southern Connecticut State University on October 19, 2026 for Best Breast Forward: Bridging the Gaps in Breastfeeding Support.
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 Overview
Whether 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
Expert-Led Sessions: Hear from leaders in human lactation and maternal health.
Networking & Collaboration: Connect with fellow advocates and professionals from across the greater New Haven area.
Continuing Education: Nursing CEUs, CERPs and CHES credits are pending for eligible attendees.
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.
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Conference Schedule
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Registration and Welcome Coffee/Breakfast
Introductions
Welcome notes
Review agenda and speakers
House rules
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Antenatal Hand Expression: A Literature Overview
Jennifer Ruwisch, MPH, CPH., DrPH of Fairfield University
Tumilara Aderibigbe, PhD, MPH, RN, Assistant Professor of University of Massachusetts-Boston
Monika Costa, Ed.D, MSN, RNC-OB, RNC-EFM, IBCLC, Assistant Professor of Nursing of University of Saint Joseph
Kimberly Doughty, MPH, PhD, CHES,® Assistant Professor, Program Director of Fairfield University
Heather Pickerign, MSN, RNC-OB, IBCLC of Griffin Hospital
Dionne Lowndes, BA, BSN, RN, IBCLC, Owner of Mom & Me Lactation
9:35 AM – 10:50 AM: Operationalizing Maternal Health Equity: Doula and Lactation Training as Mechanisms for System Change
Daileann Hemmings, DNP, RN, CLC, CCM, System Director, Maternal Health Equity of Hartford Hospital
10:50 AM – 11:00 AM: Morning Break
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Real Voices, Real Journeys: Why Breastfeeding Support Matters
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 – 1:30 PM: Award Ceremony
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Beyond “Breast Is Best”: Breastfeeding, PMADs, and Compassionate Perinatal Care
Samantha Smalls, DSW, LCSW, PHM-C, Owner & Clinical Director of New Chapter Counseling Services, LLC
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Afternoon Break
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM: Donor Milk & Mental Health for Donors and Recipients
Kylia Garver, MPH, Chief Operating Officer of Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM:
Closing Remarks
Retrieving CERPs
How to join the CBC
CERPs and Nursing CEUs pending.