Tiny Fighters, Strong Families: Navigating Feeding at Home After NICU and Critical Illness

This is a specialized course designed to prepare breastfeeding staff to support families transitioning home after a NICU stay or while caring for a medically fragile or critically ill infant at home. The course emphasizes the unique emotional, physical, and logistical challenges these families face, and highlights strategies for providing trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and family-centered lactation support in the community setting. Participants will gain practical tools to help families navigate feeding plans, maintain or rebuild milk supply, and receive holistic support through the WIC program and community resources.

Michigan Peers: This OA Grant Training meets the 2026 Annual Peer Counselor Training Requirement.

2026 Dates & Times

Friday, June 12
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CST

Register

Tuesday, July 14
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CST

Register

Friday, August 21
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CST

Register

Tuesday, September 8
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CST

Register

This is a live, virtual 4-hour training with three 5-10 minute breaks.

4 L-CERPSwill be offered for this course.

For information on which IBLCE categories are covered in the OA grant-funded trainings, please see the IBCLC CERP Guidance document.

This course is available to WIC peer counselors, CPAs, RD, RNs, and lactation staff in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Due to high demand, this year’s OA Grant trainings will be limited to primarily WIC Staff. For more information, please contact MWRtrainings@mphi.org.

  • Understanding the Transition Home from the NICU:
    • Explore common challenges families face after discharge, such as feeding transitions, complex care needs, and balancing medical appointments.
    • Recognize the stress of leaving the highly structured NICU environment and adjusting to home-based care
  • Emotional and Practical Challenges for Parents at Home:
    • Identify how stress, exhaustion, and trauma may continue after NICU or critical illness.
    • Learn strategies to support parents’ confidence, emotional health, and realistic feeding goals.
  • Supporting Milk Supply and Feeding at Home:
    • Guidance on sustaining or rebuilding milk supply after separation or limited direct breastfeeding.
    • Support for combination feeding, pumping routines, or partial breastfeeding plans that align with family needs and medical recommendations.
  • Feeding Medically Fragile Infants in the Community Setting:
    • Understand how ongoing health issues may impact feeding and growth.
    • Learn how WIC staff can encourage responsive feeding, monitor progress, and provide reassurance without overstepping medical guidance
  • Building Confidence and Parental Identity:
    • Explore how parents may struggle with guilt, loss, or uncertainty after NICU or critical illness.
    • Provide affirming support that empowers families to define their own version of breastfeeding success.
  • Equity, Access, and Cultural Sensitivity:
    • Address disparities in who accesses and benefits from post-NICU lactation support.
    • Provide culturally responsive care that respects family traditions, beliefs, and lived experiences.
  • Supporting Families with Ongoing Medical Needs:
    • Learn how to adapt feeding guidance when infants have feeding tubes, congenital conditions, or are on specialized care plans.
    • Support parents who may have to balance medical regimens with daily life and breastfeeding goals.
  • Connecting Families to Resources Beyond WIC:
    • Identify community supports such as peer groups, home visiting programs, mental health providers, and milk banks.
    • Help families build a network of care that reduces isolation and stress.
  • Counseling and Communication Skills for WIC Staff:
    • Practice active listening and motivational interviewing to uncover families’ priorities and concerns.
    • Learn how to provide reassurance while respecting medical advice families have received.
  • Weaning, Redefining Goals, and Grief Support:
    • Support families who must change or end breastfeeding due to ongoing illness or medical needs.
    • Provide compassionate guidance on weaning, milk sharing, or redefining breastfeeding success

  • Bianca Nash, IBCLC. CD, Doula Trainer

The deadline for registration is 10-14 days before the start of the training. All registrants will be placed on a short waitlist until approved by the Midwest region breastfeeding coordinators.

Once registered, all communication will come from Birth Queens and Milk Queens (Bianca Nash-Miot). There is no fee for this training. In the event you need to cancel or reschedule a training, please email MWRtrainings@mphi.org.

This is a live, virtual interactive training. Participants need a computer with good internet, Zoom, and camera. No extra resources are necessary before, during or after this course.