La Leche League of Western Pennsylvania

Conference Features

Bookstore: A selection of breastfeeding and parenting books will be available at a discount at our conference Bookstore. Please visit the Bookstore on the day of the conference.  At the Bookstore, you can purchase books you’ve wondered about and discover new treasures -- without paying shipping costs.  Your Bookstore purchases help LLL of WPA to encourage, inform and educate breastfeeding mothers throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Theme Baskets: We encourage all Groups to put together a Theme Basket for the Silent Auction. Theme Baskets that have done well in the past include kid’s toys, gardening, art baskets, chocolate, and pamper mom baskets. All Western Pennsylvania Leaders can download and print a Theme Basket Application: LLLWPANEWS@yahoogroups.com.Please complete and return the application by April 1st.If you have any questions, please contact Becky Ashkettle at beckyashkettle@yahoo.com.

Boutique:  La Leche League of Western Pennsylvania Groups can rent Boutique tables at the conference for only $5.On the table you may sell items of your choice (subject to LLL approval) and keep the proceeds for your Group. All Western Pennsylvania Leaders can download and print a Boutique Application at: LLLWPANEWS@yahoogroups.com. Please complete and return the application by April 1st.If you have any questions, please contact Becky Ashkettle at beckyashkettle@yahoo.com . 

Blossoms:  List your child as a Blossom of La Leche League in the Conference Program Booklet for the cost of $2 per child. Please list each child on the appropriate section of the Registration Form and include the additional cost with your registration payment.

Donations:  We welcome donations and will include recognition of all our donors in the Conference Program Booklet. Donation categories are: Patron $50 and more; Supporter $25 —$49; and Friend $10 — $24. In-kind contributions of goods or gift certificates for the Silent Auction are also appreciated. To make an in-kind donation, please contact Beth Moore at (724)379-6684 or bethannmoore@comcast.net. Donations must be received no later than April 1st to be included in the Conference Program Booklet.

Dedications:  You are welcome to make short dedications (30 words or less) in our Conference Program Booklet.  Each dedication costs $5.Please list the number of dedications you would like on the Registration Form and attach a separate paper with the text of your dedications.  If registering on line, please email your dedications to territheterrible@verizon.net.

Children at the Conference: Parents, babies, children and even grandparents attending together are a La Leche League tradition. We hope to make the conference one that your entire family can enjoy, so please plan to bring everyone. Parents are responsible for their own children AT ALL TIMES including those using the Playroom and other activities. All caregivers must be 12 years of age or older and have the parent’s complete schedule.  A Play Room is available for children ages six and under filled with age appropriate toys. We will also have a Rock ‘n Rest room complete with rocking chairs for mothers and babies who need a little quiet time.

Extra Fun in the Play Room: Household Harmony Director Daisy Klaber will present a free demonstration of Music Together, an internationally acclaimed early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners and adults, for a family sing-along break.

IBLCE CERPs and La Leche League CEUs: CERPs and CEUs will be available for a fee of $5 per session. (CERP and CEU Fees are free for accredited LLL Leaders with paid Registration; the cost will be $5 per session for all others.)  Each morning session provides 1.25 CERPs and CEUs and each afternoon session provides 1 CERP and CEU. CERPs have been granted by the Eastern US Division of LLLI through a providership with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE). Children, regardless of age, are allowed to accompany their parents to CERP sessions at the Area Conference. CERP speakers and attendees should be aware and accepting of the fact that parents and older children may attend these sessions. Please be respectful of the needs of all attendees and quietly respectful to the speaker who is presenting. 

Snack Table: Please bring a nutritious snack to share with everyone at the conference for our snack table. Snacks are great for keeping moms alert and kids happy, so we are hoping that everyone can bring something.  Here are some snack suggestions organized by your first name beginning with A-E—fruits or veggies; F-J—cheese or spreads; K-O—snack food (crackers, pretzels); P-U-baked goods; V-Z-light colored juice or tea.  Please bring a list of ingredients to display with your homemade goodies to aid those with food allergies. If you have any questions about our snack table, please contact Madeline Huypen at madeline@huypen.com 724-941-2248.  Thank you!

Silent Auction: The Silent Auction committee is looking for items such as new toys, gift certificates and crafts. Additionally, we are proud to feature Theme Baskets prepared by LLL Groups throughout the Area. To donate an item, please contact Beth Moore at (724)379-6684 or bethannmore@comcast.net.Cash, check and credit card accepted.

Featured Guest Speaker

Eydie Moses-Kolko, MD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Eydie L. Moses-Kolko, MD completed her undergraduate education at Brown University and medical school education at the University of Maryland. She completed her psychiatry specialty training and fellowship in clinical psychiatric research at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She is a board certified psychiatrist with subspecialty experience in women’s mental health.

Since completing her training, she has worked as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and has been working as a psychiatrist in the Women’s Behavioral HealthCARE program for greater than six years.

On Saturday, Eydie will present three sessions of interest to mothers and those who counsel them: What is Post Partum Depression? Depression During Pregnancy and Post Partum Depression Treatment.

Guest Speaker

Cathy Daniels
Certified Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master/Teacher

Cathythe mother of three home-educated children (ages 21, 17 and 12) and a retired La Leche League Leader.As the owner of One Gentle Spirit Holistic Services One Gentle Spirit, she is also a Natural Health Educator and has been sharing her passion, experiences and information regarding natural ways of bringing positive changes to the body, mind and spirit for the past 13 years.

As well as providing private sessions, Cathy holds classes and workshops on Hypnotherapy, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Natural Health and Nutrition Awareness. Her “alter-ego” business is Cardinal Web Design www.cardinalwd.com through which she co-created the Holistic Services Directory for Northeast Ohio www.holisticbodymindspirit.com.

Cathy will present the Reiki discussion and mini-sessions on Friday night and the Healthy Planet/Healthy You session on Saturday.

Portrait Playtime is Back!

Back by popular demand, Portrait Playtime is coming to support Pittsburgh with another fundraiser on behalf of LLL of Western PA. where you can participate in a Professional Photo Shoot at the conference. 
 
Portrait Playtime, owned by Jessica Wallach, an active LLL Member in Virginia, will set up her studio in our main ballroom Friday night, April 24th from 5:00 to 9 pm and on Saturday, April 25th from 8 am – 4 pm.

Jessica has consciously sought to work with and photograph families who practice and support mothering through breastfeeding.  Jessica states, “During a photo session we encourage play because play is ‘the language of children’. Playfulness allows children and their families to connect, relax and show themselves fully. Playing is way of showing children complete respect.” 

This is a wonderful opportunity to get artistic photographs that capture your: nursling in action, loving family, pregnant tummy, brilliant children or grandchildren that you will treasure for years to come—portraits that make  wonderful Mother’s Day gifts!

You can sign up for one of the available photo sessions, which includes a 10 minute photo shoot and a choice of one high quality, black and white or color, professional 5 x 7 print of any image.  Each photo session costs only $25 and Portrait Playtime has generously agreed to donate 80% of the proceeds to La Leche League of Western Pennsylvania. 

Since Jessica is traveling from out of state, reservations are a must and need to be made ahead of time, so please choose a time that is best for your family.  We must have 20 reservations by 6pm on April 10th in order for Portrait Playtime to come to Pittsburgh.  So please sign up today so you won’t miss out on this rare opportunity.  Please check out
the details of the fundraiser and to sign up at www.portraitplaytime.com/lll-wpa-2/