Dee Bell is a Registered Midwife, IBCLC, and Specialist Tongue-Tie Practitioner with over 20 years of experience. She is the founder of Birth, Baby & You, a leading service offering expert feeding support and tongue-tie services across Sussex and Kent. Dee provides comprehensive care for families, offering guidance on all types of infant feeding and tongue-tie, helping parents navigate the often complex journey of infant feeding.

In 2021, Dee expanded her impact by founding The Infant Feeding Academy, an initiative aimed at empowering and educating Perinatal Practitioners. She offers specialised Tongue-Tie Training for the NHS and has developed two flagship programmes for practitioners: the Infant Feeding Coach™ Certification and the Tongue-Tie Assessor Award™. These programs provide in-depth training and support to practitioners, helping them to enhance their skills and grow their practices.

Her passion lies in supporting other practitioners, and through the Academy, Dee creates a supportive community where they can access education, resources, and connect with like-minded individuals, enabling them to thrive in their careers.

Her work continues to inspire and support many families and practitioners, reflecting her commitment to improving infant feeding outcomes and fostering a network of practitioners dedicated to helping families thrive.

Osteopath- Infant Feeding and Postural Asymmetry: Understanding the Connection.

Dr Julie Ellwood DProf (Ost), MSc (App Haem), BSc (Hons) Ost is a practising osteopath in Ireland.

Julie graduated from the College of Osteopaths in London in 2004. Since then, Julie has pursued her special interest in the care of children and babies and completed her Professional Doctorate in Osteopathy through the University College of Osteopathy in London in April 2016. Her research study was investigating the cause of unsettled infant behaviour with particular focus on the relationship of this with the musculoskeletal system and was conducted under the supervision of Professor Alf Nicholson, paediatrician at The Children’s Hospital in Tallaght and Temple Street, Dublin.

Julie has continued her interest in paediatric manual therapy research and has published her work in several peer reviewed journals. She is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Health Sciences University (HSU) in Bournemouth, UK and a member of Osteopathy Europe (OE) research committee. She teaches on post-graduate continual professional development (CPD) paediatric programmes at HSU and other international osteopathic educational institutions and has participated in research steering committees for important research projects. She has run successful CPD learning programmes in Ireland with internationally renowned experts in their fields, and has developed a tailor-made suite of CPD programmes which she delivers live online. Julie believes in supporting and mentoring students in osteopathy and has engaged in roles such as director of supervision to Masters Degree students of Osteopathy at the Haute Ecole de Sante in Fribourg, Switzerland as well as examiner to Master Degree programmes at Unitec Institute of Technology, New Zealand. Julie encourages observation and collaboration between osteopaths and other healthcare professionals, and frequently welcomes interested healthcare professionals into the clinic for inter-professional learning and development purposes. She has run successful work experience programmes for Transition Year students over several years.

Julie was appointed president of the Osteopathic Council of Ireland in November 2024, where she endeavours to continue her commitment to the campaign for Statutory Regulation for the profession of Osteopathy in Ireland. Julie was joint author of the 2020 Global Report for the Osteopathic International Association (OIA) with Professor Dawn Carnes. Julie also has an MSc in Applied Haematology, a Fellowship in Biomedical Science and a Diploma in Sports Medicine. She is registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) UK, and the Osteopathic Council of Ireland (OCI).

Sleep Matters: How Quality Rest Impacts Infant Feeding

Coming from a French flying doctor Dad and a consciously enquiring Mom, Erwann has been exposed to various concepts of health wellbeing and trans-cultural imprints from a very early age.

Trained and practiced as a physiotherapist in France he then moved to Osteopathy and was drawn to explore the movement world not only through the scope of bodywork, but also in its psychological and social contexts.

His 25 years of experience are backed up by an executive coaching training and a full time postgraduate Diploma on the neurophysiological and multidisciplinary approach to pain both acquired at the University of Cape Town South Africa.

Erwann has extended his training in the field of genomics and has completed PG, Dip in sleep medicine and circadian rhythms in the Nuffield department of clinical neuroscience at Oxford University.

He is lecturing and working both in Europe and South Africa with the precision medicine tools applied to chronobiology, sleep, movement, breathing and pain management that he is fortunate to propose for world athletes and leaders. 

Feeding Difficulties in Infants: Effective Evaluation and Assessment Strategies

1 hour.

A graduate of the UCO, Samantha is Course Leader for the Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Paediatric Osteopathic Practice.

Samantha was a member of UCO clinic faculty for eight years before stepping into the course leader role so knows first-hand some of the challenges that students face on their journey to becoming an osteopath. 

As an active member of faculty and the wider osteopathic community, Samantha sits on several UCO committees and is part the General Osteopathic Council steering group looking at minimum standards in paediatric practice. Her specialist area is paediatrics and she continues to lecture in this subject both in the UK and Europe, delivering an evidence-based approach to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

She is an enthusiastic senior member of staff who, when not at the university, heads up The Jamii Project, a social enterprise working with young people not in education, employment or training. Her passion is to see osteopathy recognised in remote areas of the world, so she regularly works alongside a UK medical team in Burma with displaced indigenous people.

Smita Hanciles is one of Deputy Programme Directors within the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly team and leads on Education.  She originally trained as a Nutritionist, working initially in Higher Education before moving into Infant Feeding Lead roles within Public Health and the NHS; implementing Baby Friendly standards of care within Health Visiting and Early Years services. During this time she was the London Regional Lead for the National Infant Feeding Network. She is particularly interested in how effective breastfeeding and infant feeding support can impact parent and infant mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Tongue tie: Culture and Context

Paediatric Osteopath and Medical Anthropologist PhD(c), MSc, M.Ost

Maria Larraín is a paediatric osteopath and medical anthropologist with a clinical and academic career that began in 2009 when she qualified as an osteopath. Currently pursuing a PhD in Medical Anthropology at University College London (UCL), her research focuses on the social context of maternal health, breastfeeding challenges, and the cultural significance of tongue-tie in the UK.  

Maria is the founder and director of Butterfield Osteopathy, an award-winning clinic renowned for its holistic care of children and its support for parents and babies postpartum. Her interdisciplinary expertise combines clinical practice, anthropological research, and a commitment to equitable, informed healthcare.  

A sought-after speaker at academic and professional events, Maria regularly shares her insights on integrating anthropology into clinical practice, mentoring young osteopaths and contributing to advancing professional understanding of tongue-tie and breastfeeding.

This presentation situates tongue-tie within broader healthcare debates, drawing on ethnographic fieldwork (2020–2022) with 30 mothers and 25 healthcare professionals, including observations in public and private healthcare settings and on Facebook. 

Maria’s research examines the political economy of healthcare, addressing key controversies such as scissors versus laser treatment, the contested status of posterior tongue-tie, and bioethical concerns around pain management and prophylactic procedures. It also explores how authoritative knowledge is negotiated between healthcare professionals, mothers, and breastfeeding support networks. 

Within contemporary parenting culture, social media amplifies both knowledge-sharing and anxiety around infant care and maternal well-being. Conflicting advice from healthcare providers, private practitioners, and peer support groups fuels uncertainty, shaping parental decision-making and reinforcing the "anxiety economy" of modern motherhood. These contradictions contribute to social suffering for new mothers, who must navigate competing narratives around infant feeding, medical intervention, and expertise.  

This research provides a biosocial perspective on tongue-tie, revealing how economic, ethical, and social forces intersect to shape maternal and infant care in London today.

Chiropractor

Nurturing All Families: Inclusive Approaches to Infant Feeding in LGBTQ+ Households

Dr. Amy Miller is a Lecturer in Clinical Sciences within the AECC School of Chiropractic, where she splits her time between teaching and research in a range of areas - including paediatrics and interprofessional collaboration.

Chiropractor

Emily began working at Health Sciences University in April 2016 and works full time as the Master of Chiropractic with Gateway Year - MChiro (Hons) Course Leader and Clinical Science Lecturer.

Effective Communication Strategies for Engaging Parents and Families in Clinical Settings

MSc, ICF PCC,EMCC

Phyllis is a coach, speaker, Osteopath and multi-modal practitioner who bridges the gap between academic knowledge and real-world client care. As an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)— only held by just over 4,000 coaches in the UK—she brings a unique blend of theory and practical experience to her work. Her training also includes hypnotherapy and movement therapies, adding further depth to her approach.

Her experience spans from frontline support in local government to teaching at university level (undergraduate and Masters) working with patients individually and as a clinic tutor. This diverse background informs her work, allowing her to connect with people on many levels, from academic discussions to compassionate conversations. Whether mentoring coaches, speaking to large groups, or working one-on-one,

With a background in advanced communication methodologies like NLP (Master Practitioner) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), combined with experience in local government supporting vulnerable individuals, Phyllis has a knack for connecting deeply with people facing diverse challenges. This experience has honed her ability to communicate empathetically, especially in times of crisis over the last 40+years..

As an EMCC AC Supervisor and ICF Mentor, Phyllis guides and supports other coaches while also working directly with clients—from healthcare professionals and corporate leaders to individuals navigating personal growth or challenging situations. She adapts her approach to each client and patient, drawing on coaching, movement, and hypnotherapy techniques to facilitate meaningful change.

A sought-after speaker, Phyllis has shared her expertise with organizations like NHS Trusts and the Women's Institute, as well as at professional conferences. Her presentations and workshops blend academic insights with practical tools, delivered with a genuine connection that resonates with audiences. She's also a frequent podcast guest, discussing topics ranging from women's health to professional development.

Phyllis is dedicated to creating lasting impact through expert guidance and authentic connection.

Christina is a Chiropractic Paediatric Practitioner Educator with a deep passion for paediatric musculoskeletal health. She earned her Master of Chiropractic (MChiro) with Distinction from Health Sciences University in 2019 and returned in 2023 as a Lecturer at the AECC School of Chiropractic before transitioning to Clinical Services.

Dedicated to advancing paediatric care, Christina runs a thriving private practice in Bournemouth while pursuing her MSc in Paediatric Musculoskeletal Health. She has also recently qualified as a FEDANT-registered Infant Feeding Coach, further expanding her expertise in supporting infant health and development.