"Breastfeeding Outside the Box: Meeting Families"
The APCLC Portuguese Association of Lactation Consultants is a non-profit association made up of professionals from different areas who have specialised in the science of lactation.
The Association's mission is to promote professional activity, lactation and breastfeeding and to be a support network for all certified consultants in our country.
Together we act as an agent for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding and breastfeeding, working in partnership with mothers, families, health professionals, society and political decision-makers.
One of our main objectives is to encourage the exchange of experiences and boost the flow of knowledge, and so we bring you the second edition of the APCLC International Conference.
‘Breastfeeding Outside the Box: Meeting Families’ is a learning opportunity and an invitation to reflect on the path we have travelled and the path we still have to travel.
After an exciting first edition, rich in wisdom, we hope to bring you current issues and strategies to help you manage challenges, always with a focus on families, their goals and their well-being.
Breastfeeding needs innovative solutions, but above all it needs empathetic human beings who join forces and walk side by side, building and rebuilding plans as often as necessary.
With leading themes and guests from their fields, we look forward to seeing you at the event that unites professionals in favour of families!
Let's make a difference together!
Implementation of the New WHO Policies on Immediate and Continuous Skin-to-Skin Contact
9h00
◑ Nils Bergman – Introducing nurturescience, and clinical evidence
10h30 – Coffee Break
11h00
◓ Nils Bergman – The case for zero separation – an ethical imperative
12h30 – Almoço
14h00
◒ Nils Bergman ‐ Practical demonstration of immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact
15h30 – Coffee Break
16h00
◐ Nils Bergman ‐ Implementation: Simulated practice of a neonatology service: observation and identification of behaviors that determine the implementation of zero separation.
17h00 – Closing
14h00 – Workshops (3 at the same time)
Inscreva‐se no workshop da sua preferência:
◐ Susana Tagarro – The Power of Sucking: How Speech Therapists Transform Breastfeeding
◒ Maria Antónia Martins – Lactating Women's Wounds
◑ Ágata Leonardo – Osteopathy and Breastfeeding: Improving Support for the Newborn
15h30 – Coffee Break
16h00 – Integrative Discussion Group
◐ Carmela Baeza e Esther Ramírez Matos – Breastfeeding and Perinatal Psychology Working Together: A Case Study
18h00 – Closing
8h00 – Secretariat Opening
8h30 – Opening Session
9h00
◑ Carmela Baeza ‐ The Management of Breast Pathology from an Ecosystem Perspective
10h00 – Coffee Break
10h30
◐ Nils Bergman – Nurturescience and the Case for Zero Separation
12h30 – Lunch
14h00 – Round Table – Hot Topics in Breastfeeding: Experiences in Maternity and their Impact on Breastfeeding
◒ Esther Ramírez Matos – Mental Health in Postpartum and Breastfeeding: The vision of the perinatal ecosystem to accompany the vital crisis of motherhood
◓ Ana Miguel – Violence against Women and its Effect on Breastfeeding
15h30 – Coffee Break
15h45 – Presentation and prizes for winning posters
16h00 – Round Table – Hot Topics in Breastfeeding: Current Challenges
◑ Rita Parreira – Lingual Frenulum: where are we?
◓ Catarina Santos – Breastfeeding and HIV
◐ Ana Lúcia Torgal – Ethics in Lactation Support: Principles that govern our practice!
18h00 ‐ Closing
Implementation of the New WHO Policies on Immediate and Continuous Skin-to-Skin Contact
By Nils Bergman, GDPHC ‐ 450 mins
Dr Bergman’s passion starts with“skin-to-skin contact”, his preferred term for what many people call KangarooCare, or even Kangaroo Mother Care. Dr Bergman regards maternal-infantskin-to-skin contact as a first and critical intervention in perinatology, withbroad public health impacts and implications.
His expertise extends to developmental neuroscience, breastfeeding, neonatology and obstetrics. He takes an integrated view of these areas, regarding skin-to-skin contact as the right place and neurological pre-requisite to successful breastfeeding, with neonataland obstetric care re-orienting its purpose to maintaining the integrity of themother-infant dyad.
This holistic view he terms “Kangaroo Mother Care” as perthe WHO definition of the term. The underlying neuroscience is now re-definedas “nurturescience”.
He was however previously a hospital manager, and iscurrently a Public Health Physician, and sees these issues in the broadercontext of hospitals, health systems and society as a whole
The Power of Sucking: How Speech Therapists Transform Breastfeeding
By Susana Tagarro, IBCLC, SLP ‐ 90 mins
The sucking function is one of the first and most complex motor patterns of the human being, essential not only for feeding but also for correct orofacial development.
In this workshop we will explore the importance of functional assessment of sucking during breastfeeding and the role of the speech therapist in the identification, intervention and rehabilitation of oral myofunctional difficulties that interfere with breastfeeding.
Lactating Women's Wounds
By Maria Antónia Martins, IBCLC, MOHM ‐ 90 mins
It is hard to find a consensus on the subject of wounds in lactating women.
Decision-making on wound treatment in lactating women requires optimising the individualisation of treatment options according to the evolution of the wound.
We know from the evidence that many complications begin to develop in the first 48 hours postpartum and will occur at home. Injuries at hospital discharge are often underestimated and the transition from hospital to home requires reflection!
During the lactation period, various clinical diagnoses occur and there seems to be some knowledge about these wounds, but the process and consequences of healing require reflection.
The aim of this workshop is to deepen knowledge on this subject and encourage discussion among peers.
Osteopathy and Breastfeeding: Improving Support for the Newborn
By Ágata Leonardo, IBCLC, DO, CST ‐ 90 mins
This workshop is aimed at all professionals who support postnatal dyads, and who wish to understand how osteopathy can assist in the breastfeeding process.
We will explore how a baby's body posture can interfere with their ability to breastfeed, and how to identify signs of discomfort, mobility restrictions, and the most common postural dysfunctions in newborns with breastfeeding difficulties.
During the session, participants will be guided to improve their observation of the newborn's posture, acquiring the tools to recognise when complementary manual therapies are needed to promote the well-being of the dyad.
Breastfeeding and Perinatal Psychology Working Together: A Case Study
By Carmela Baeza e Esther Ramírez Matos, IBCLC, GDPHC / PSI, SLP ‐ 90 mins
The Management of Breast Pathology from an Ecosystem Perspective.
The Management of Breast Pathology from an Ecosystem Perspective
By Carmela Baeza, IBCLC, GDPHC ‐ 50 mins + 10 mins Q&A
In this talk we will explore the various causes of pain during lactation (derived both from problems on the nipple/areola, and from problems in the breast), as well as their clinical management with an ecosystemic approach.
Nurturescience and the Case for Zero Separation
By Nils Bergman, GDPHC ‐ 120 mins
The underlying theme of this presentation is immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact, with the underlying scientific rationale described by nurturescience and zero separation.
With this theme, Dr Nils Bergman will introduce us to a new field of scientific research, ‘nurturescience’, in which new hypotheses can be tested with new instruments. We'll reflect on the main distinctions between neuroscience and the new concept of nurturescience.
The understanding of this concept is based on the basic needs of all newborns and the needs of mothers and their families. We will understand how studies and mechanisms described in different areas of knowledge converge on one main message, which is that the mother-baby dyad should not be separated.
Finally, we'll reflect on how a continuous emotional bond is the cornerstone of development, leading to resilience throughout life. This has implications for making the right diagnosis (emotional disconnection vs. attachment disorder), providing the right care (baby- and family-centred developmental care) in the biologically expected place (skin-to-skin contact), and rehabilitation potential (calming cycle theory).
Nurturescience has particular relevance for the care of ‘small and sick’ babies with a profound potential to decrease the ‘likelihood’ of developing developmental problems
Mental Health in Postpartum and Breastfeeding: The vision of the perinatal ecosystem to accompany the vital crisis of motherhood
By Esther Ramírez Matos, PSY, LMFT ‐ 45 mins
The journey of motherhood represents a systemic family crisis that deserves to be approached from a comprehensive and complete perspective, addressing all the layers that interact in this complex reality of becoming a mother.
We will present the Perinatal Ecosystem Model, which allows us to broaden our perspective when working in clinical practice with mothers, their children and their families during the postpartum and breastfeeding periods.
Violence against Women and its Effect on Breastfeeding
By Ana Fidalgo Miguel, DPT ‐ 45 mins
Violence against women has profound impacts on the victim's physical and mental health, and also affects breastfeeding. This impact can be direct, such as physical aggression that impairs milk production, or indirect, through stress and psychological trauma.
The stress caused by violence can lead to the inhibition of oxytocin, making breastfeeding difficult and even leading to early weaning. On the other hand, women who suffer violence have an increased risk of postpartum depression and anxiety, which can reduce their motivation and ability to breastfeed. Violence can also jeopardise the emotional bond between mother and baby, damaging breastfeeding and the child's emotional development.
Women who suffer violence are more likely to stop breastfeeding before the six months recommended by the WHO, depriving the baby of the benefits of breast milk.
Environments of domestic violence also increase the risk of child maltreatment, affecting the baby's safety and well-being.
Possible interventions include psychological support: therapy and support groups can help mothers cope with the trauma and maintain breastfeeding; and a support network: support from family, friends and health professionals can reduce the impact of violence.
Lingual Frenulum: where are we?
By Rita Parreira, IBCLC, PAED, DDT ‐ 30 mins
Supporting breastfeeding requires an integrated view of mother and baby. The tongue plays a key role in this process and has been carefully analysed by professionals working with newborns.
In this presentation, we will explore the tongue tie from different perspectives, addressing the history, the current context and possible future directions.
What are the challenges in diagnosis? What solutions can be found in the community? How can we offer support?
We welcome you all to this joint reflection.
Breastfeeding and HIV
By Catarina Santos, PMH ‐ 30 mins
During the talk, some definitions on the subject will be presented, as well as the importance of antiretroviral treatment to reduce the risk of transmission.
We'll talk about international recommendations and the up-to-date approach for mothers living with HIV, as well as the challenges of decision-making.
The importance of multidisciplinary monitoring and an individualised approach will also be addressed.
Ethics in Lactation Support: Principles that govern our practice!
By Ana Lúcia Torgal, IBCLC, MOHM, ESMP ‐ 30 mins
The ethical principles to be taken into account in the face of the demands of practice as an IBCLC will be presented. There will be a joint reflection on how the devaluation of these principles can have a negative impact on the history of breastfeeding, the relationship with families, peers, health professionals and society in general.
Nils Bergman
◑ Public Health Consultant Physician, with specific experience and interest in maternal and neonatal health care.
◑ Basic Training in Medicine, Diploma in Child Health in Developing Countries, Master's Degree in Public Health and PhD in Pharmacology.
◑ Accumulating experiences in countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa and Sweden, he is able to bring a global perspective to his research.
◑ He contributed to initiating the Immediate KMC Study and was one of the main investigators in the WHO study group that conducted this randomized controlled clinical trial, the results of which were recently published.
◑ He developed and published an underlying scientific rationale, which explains the unexpected findings of reduced mortality during immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact for very low birth weight infants, summarized as "nurturescience".
Susana Tagarro
◑ Degree in Speech Therapy, Master in Orofacial Motricity and Deglutition.
◑ Postgraduate in electrophysiology with therapeutic applications, Postgraduate in breastfeeding.
◑ She specialises in ankyloglossia in paediatric patients, participatory feeding and Baby Led Weaning (BLW).
◑ She is also an International Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
◑ She has an exclusive clinical practice in Orofacial Motricity in the areas of breastfeeding, sucking difficulties in babies, oral dysfunctions, oral brakes, food introduction and food refusal/selectivity.
Maria Antónia Martins
◑ She's a wife, daughter, mother and soon-to-be grandmother.
◑ Against her parents' wishes, she went to nursing school.
◑ She's been a nurse for a few years and an ESMO nurse too! Nursing chooses her every day.
◑ Clinical practice is her passion, caring for people, especially families, is her habitat.
◑ On this journey through personal and professional challenges, she has been a keen observer of the evolution and needs of the people she cares for, so personal and professional training have marked her every step of the way.
◑ In addition to her nursing training, she has also completed: a post-graduate course in family sociology at the University of Évora, a post-graduate course in sexology at the Lusófona University, a master's degree in maternal and obstetric health nursing, a PhD at the Portuguese Catholic University... and other courses that improve the tools we use to work withs.
◑ Became an IBCLC in 2008.
◑ She has worked in Primary Health Care at USF Planicie for 18 years.
Ágata Leonardo
◑ Osteopath and Craniosacral Therapist.
◑ International Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
◑ Lecturer in the Postgraduate Programme in Breastfeeding at the Portuguese Catholic University.
◑ Trainer in breastfeeding osteopathy.
◑ Member of the governing bodies of the Portuguese Breastfeeding Movement Association.
◑ Founding member of Ao Serviço da Amamentação (ASA).
Carmela Baeza
◑ Carmela is a medical doctor and family physician.
◑ After a very unsuccessful breastfeeding experience with her first child, who had a congenital heart defect, she realized that her medical training had been completely lacking in the field of lactation.
◑ In 2003 she decided to become an IBCLC and specialize in breastfeeding medicine.
◑ Since then she works in a Family Wellness Clinic in Madrid (Spain), in charge of the Breastfeeding Department, offering consultations to nursing families.
◑ She is also an active lecturer and speaker, both nationally and internationally, and is very involved in training Healthcare Professionals in breastfeeding support and management.
Esther Ramírez Matos
◑ Psychologist, perinatal specialist and family therapist.
◑ For 24 years she has combined teaching with private clinical practice, accompanying mothers and babies, couples and families.
◑ Founder of Aldea Maternidad, a training community for families.
◑ Author of the book “Psicologia del Pos Parto” and the novel “La Outra Cara” (The Other Face).
Ana Miguel
◑ Ana Fidalgo Miguel, 46 years old, 20 years as a physiotherapist and 7 years as a mother.
◑ She has been an activist for student and environmental causes since she was a teenager.
◑ Working in the field of women's health physiotherapy led me to delve into issues related to women's sexual and reproductive rights and violence against women, specifically obstetric violence.
◑ I am a founding member of the Obstetric Violence Observatory Portugal and a member of nascer.pt.
◑ I'm currently studying for a master's degree in women's studies at the Open University.
Rita Parreira
◑ My name is Rita Matos Parreira and I work in various contexts, always with a special focus on babies and children.
◑ I am an IFE doctor in Paediatrics, a dentist and an IBCLC certified international lactation consultant, integrating these three areas in the study and treatment of tongue twisters.
◑ My greatest commitment is to my three children, in the hope that, respecting each other, they will make a significant contribution to society.
Catarina Santos
◑ Licensed nurse since 2003, specialising in Mental Health and Psychiatry since 2010.
◑ She has worked in the HIV Unit at Cascais Hospital since 2004, focusing on mental health, quality of life and ageing with HIV.
◑ Author and co-author of scientific publications, trainer and speaker at various events on HIV, mental health and nursing.
◑ Commissioner of the European HIV Nursing Network (EHNN) since 2007 and member of the APECS executive board (2018-2022).
◑ Founder of the APECS nursing group for the valorisation of the profession.
◑ She has also worked as a consultant for the pharmaceutical industry.
Ana Lúcia Torgal
◑ Nurse specialising in Maternal and Obstetric Health Nursing since 2007.
◑ IBCLC since 2009 and certified until 2029.
◑ Practices at the ULS Lisboa Ocidental in the Oeiras Health Centre, UCC SAUDAR.
◑ Lecturer in the Postgraduate Programme in Breastfeeding at the Catholic University of Lisbon.
◑ Founding member of APCLC.
◑ Participation in volunteer projects such as 'SOS Amamentação' and 'ASA ‐ Ao Serviço da Amamentação'.
Coming soon...
The organization of this conference is the responsibility of APCLC Portuguese Association of Certified Lactation Consultants, headquarters Rua Augusto Macedo 4A, Loja, 1600-794 Lisbon, with Fiscal Number NIPC: 515435066. Contacts: e-mail: ibclc.portugal@gmail.com
APCLC is a non-profit association, formed by professionals from different areas who have specialized and certified in the area of Lactation Science, which aims to promote the profession of Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant, as a profession in the health area, through leadership, promotion, professional development and research.
The Association aims to act as an agent of protection, promotion and support for Breastfeeding, working together with mothers, families, other health professionals, society and policy makers. You can learn more about our mission, vision and values on the page https://www.apclc.pt/.
Nov 4, 2025 – PRE-CONFERENCE
Nov 6, 2025 – WORKSHOPS & INTEGRATIVE DISCUSSION GROUP
Nov 7, 2025 – CONFERENCE
In Figueira da Foz: (november 6 and 7, 2025)
Casino Figueira
R. Bernardo Lopes
3080‐158 Figueira da Foz
Pre‐Conference Course:
Implementation of the New WHO Policies on Immediate and Continuous Skin-to-Skin Contact ‐ Nils Bergman
| Early bird May 2‐Jun 30 | Normal Jun 31‐Oct 31 | ||
| Individuals | 85 € | 100 € | |
| APCLC members, students or 10 people group | 85 € | 90 € | |
| Workers at Cascais Hospital | ‐ | 50 € |
Workshops & Integrative Discussion Group
| Normal till Oct 31 | |
| Workshop 1: | 50 € |
| Workshop 2: | 50 € |
| Workshop 3: | 50 € |
| Integrative Discussion Group | 60 € |
2ª Conference Internacional APCLC
| Flash Sale ??‐?? | Early bird May 2‐Jun 30 | Normal Jun 31‐Oct 31 | |
| Individuals | 160 € | 170 € | 200 € |
| APCLC members, students or 10 people group | ‐ | ‐ | 180 € |
|
► The prices shown are per unit and in euros. |
► The ticket price will only be refundable if the conference does not take place on the scheduled date.
► Ticket refunds will only be made in the event of rescheduling or cancellation. In this case, the cancellation or refund process will be handled on a case-by-case basis by APCLC. Instructions for cancellation or refund of the amount paid will be answered and defined by APCLC, via email conferencia@apclc.pt.
► The refund request must be sent in writing to the contact email address conferencia@apclc.pt, together with proof of payment and account or card ownership, including the respective IBAN, so that the money can be refunded by Bank Transfer. In accordance with legal requirements, the user must also send the duly signed credit note, issued and sent by the same means by APCLC, to the email address conferencia@apclc.pt.
► APCLC undertakes to reimburse the user within a maximum period of 3 months after receiving all the elements necessary for the return (Proof of Payment, IBAN and Signed Credit Note).