Integrative Clinical Approaches in Perinatal Herbal Care, Lactation, and Infant Oral Function

Thursday, October 15th, 2026

Presented by Melissa Cole, MS, IBCLC & Monadnock Perinatal

• Location: 27 Matthews Road, Keene NH 03431
• Max attendees: 15
• Registration Fee: $300 early bird by 7/31/26, $350 after 7/31/26
• 6.25 L-CERPs applied for 
• Includes 2 months free access to the Luna Lactation Herbal Database!

Abstract:

Providing comprehensive care requires an integrative approach that considers physiological, functional, and clinical perspectives. This workshop explores the intersection of herbal therapeutics, lactation support, and infant oral function within clinical practice. Our AM session will focus on current evidence and safety considerations for perinatal herbal use, including applications for lactation concerns and mood concerns. Our afternoon session will focus on infant feeding and oral function topics, emphasizing assessment and management strategies for oral restrictions and functional feeding support. The workshop will also highlight interdisciplinary collaboration and communication among providers to optimize outcomes for the parent–infant dyad. Clinicians will leave with enhanced skills to apply evidence-informed, holistic care that supports optimizing perinatal health and infant feeding outcomes.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the evidence base, indications, and safety considerations for herbal therapeutics commonly used in perinatal and lactation care.
2. Assess infant oral function in the context of feeding challenges.
3. Identify key clinical indicators of oral restrictions and compensatory feeding behaviors in infants.
4. Integrate herbal, functional, and interdisciplinary approaches to optimize outcomes for the perinatal dyad.

Agenda: 

Morning Session: Infant Oral Function From Assessment to Care
8:00 to 8:30 AM  Registration & Welcome

8:30 to 10:00 AM Assessing Infant Oral Function Beyond the Frenulum

Practical oral anatomy assessment, functional and anatomical findings
Feeding/compensation pattern observations as part of oral assessment
Connections between parent symptoms and infant findings
Signs that suggest contributors beyond oral restriction
10:00 to 10:30 AM Break

10:30 to 11:45 AM Oral Function Clinical Reasoning, Referrals, Support

Findings that increase concern for functionally significant frenulum restriction
Differential diagnosis, possible contributors
Determining what contributes most to the feeding difficulty
Timing of referral and intervention; When frenectomy may or may not be the appropriate next step
Preparing families for realistic outcomes
The lactation professional’s role before and after frenectomy
Interdisciplinary communication and referral
11:45 AM to 12:00 PM Oral Function Questions and Answers

12:00 to 1:00 PM Lunch on your own

 
Afternoon Session: Herbal Therapeutics in Lactation & Perinatal Care: Evidence, Safety, and Clinical Applications
1:00 to 2:30 PM Herbal Safety, Evidence, and Clinical Decision Making

Evaluating herbal evidence, herbal pharmacology basics
Contraindications, herb-drug interactions
Individual herbal considerations, reliable professional resources
Scope, documentation, and shared decision-making
Moving beyond the assumption that natural automatically means safe

2:30 to 2:45 PM Break

2:45 to 4:15 PM Herbal Applications in Real World Lactation Care

Herbal galactagogues, perinatal wellness, mood considerations
Choosing among botanical options rather than using a one-size-fits-all recommendation
Communication with parents and documentation strategies
Monitoring response and knowing when to reconsider the plan

4:15 to 4:30 PM Questions & Wrap Up

A final opportunity to integrate the day’s material, address questions, and identify practical changes participants can bring into clinical practice.

Cancellation and Refund Policy – A full refund (minus paypal fees) will be provided if your cancellation is requested before 30 days of the event. If you need to cancel your registration within 14-30 days of the event, we will refund you 50% of your registration. Refunds will not be provided if cancellation occurs 0-14 prior to the event. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact us ASAP to discuss options.

Melissa Cole reserves the right to cancel any event prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including an insufficient number of participants, or unforeseeable logistical problems (e.g. acts of God, war, strikes, pandemic, etc.). An event cancellation due to insufficient numbers would normally occur at least a month prior to departure, unless unforeseeable events impede the event overall.  We ask that you do not make non-refundable, non-changeable travel plans. We also strongly suggest you get travel insurance.

In the event of cancellation, Melissa Cole will make every effort to refund registrants, minus any nonrefundable supplier fees Melissa Cole has already paid for (venue, catering, etc). However in the case of an unforeseeable event, Melissa Cole will not be held liable for providing a refund or have any further liability.

Health Policy – Please respect the health and wellness of others. If you have any symptoms of illness on the day of the workshop, please do not attend and contact us to discuss options. We will abide by any necessary local health protocols and COVID protocols that may be in place at the time of the event.