ALCI NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022

It is with great delight The Association of Lactation Consultants of Ireland (ALCI) announce an in-person conference in
advance of National Breastfeeding Week 2022. ALCI invite members and non-members to join them at The Radisson
Blu Hotel Limerick. To facilitate a broader audience this event will also be live-streamed. The years ALCI National
Conference will take place on 24th Septembe, 2022.
And the line up will certainly entice an enthusiastic audience with both Irish and international representation to deliver
the most up to date research and information on subjects dominating Lactation Care. To open up the Conference we
will hear from both Laura McHugh National Breastfeeding Coordinator along with Claire Kennedy newly appointed
BFI Lead.

Dr. Roberta Martinelli, this years keynote speaker, Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP), Specialist in Orofacial
Motricity; holds a Master’s Degree and PhD. in Science (University of São Paulo). She is the Coordinator of the
Orofacial Motricity Department of the Brazilian Society of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Renowned Author
of the study that served as basis for the “Frenum Inspection Law” in all newborns in Brazil. And current Coordinator
of the lingual frenulum assessment department of Santa Therezinha Hospital.
Martinelli will take us through, step by step, the Lingual Frenulum Protocol application for infants. This protocol, a
specific tool for evaluating the lingual frenulum, with the objective of identifying possible anomalies and assessing the
limitation of tongue movements, which may compromise the functions of sucking, swallowing, chewing and speaking,
is recommended by HSE for the assessment of infants. This protocol is a valid and reliable assessment tool, ensuring
accuracy to diagnose tongue-tie.

Lucy Ruddle IBCLC, renowned author will join us, in person, from UK and present her work on supporting
Neurodivergent Parents. A topic, close to many, Ruddle will steer us to access information and support networks and
how we can offer care to neurodivergent families.

Other speakers include The Purple Hearts, Nichola O’Byrne Paediatric Nurse & IBCLC, Caoimhe Whelan IBCLC and
Meadbh Anne McNamarra IBCLC, telling the story of the Purple Hearts breastfeeding group and how they have
combined to provide specialist support to Mother’s experiencing low milk supply. Liz O’ Sullivan along with Deborah
Byrne; Dr. Anne Doolin and Lorraine O’Hagan will further enthral the audience with information and case studies
pertinent to practice.

The National Conference promises an exciting return to in-person networking with Stand viewing and a poster
competition open to both research and non-research based topics. There will be 6.5 L (Lactation) IBLCE CERPs and 7
NMBI CEU’s awarded for attendees both in person and online and viewing will be available for two weeks after the
conference.

Membership of ALCI is not essential for this event, however, there is a concession for members alongside early bird
prices available until the end of July 2022. Booking is now open.

We look forward to welcoming you all back to what promises to be a sensational National Conference.