Flange Fitting for Clinical Practice (in-person) Workshop

If you are a someone who works with families who are feeding babies, then you've seen (and heard about) about different flanges, and the "new way" of flange fitting.  But just how small of a flange do you try with your clients? How do you assess the flange is fitting? What do you need to have on-hand for a session, even if you are doing telehealth?  We'll discuss all of these topics and so much more!

Explore new ideas about flange sizes, different materials of flanges and flange inserts (which aren't as simple and effective as they may seem).  You'll learn why and how to do an effective flange fitting consultation.  And gain access to videos, resources and a community of colleagues so you can really delve into these topics after the workshop and keep learning.

What is the Flange Fitting for Clinical Practice Workshop?

This in-person workshop provides infant feeding professionals with information, tools and techniques they want to have so they can provide practical support to families who are pumping.  As it's a workshop format, participants will be encouraged to ask questions and share what they know and have experienced in their work with families related to pumping and feeding gear.  Participants will also be asked to BRING some items with them (more on that after you register). 

This workshop/course is led by Jeanette Mesite Frem, MHS, IBCLC, CCE of Babies in Common, who is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and experienced childbirth educator.  Jeanette is the creator of the Flange FITS™ Guide, and does flange fittings and pumping sessions with most of her clients in Central Massachusetts (and she's taught over 15,000 lactation professionals around the world about flange fitting).  

Jeanette is the co-author of the recent research study published 11/30/25 in the Journal of Human Lactation (online, open access), Flange Size Matters: A Comparative Pilot Study of the Flange FITS™ Guide Versus Traditional Sizing Methods, which made her Flange FITS™ Guide the only evidence-based way for flange fitting...come learn all about it!

• What will be presented and discussed?

  • 45+ different types and sizes of flanges (also known as pump breast shields) that we can discuss and you'll see some demonstrated
  • Why the traditional recommendations for flange fittings are no longer what many us recommend for our clients (and the history of why those "old" recommendations were even created)
  • How to do an effective flange fitting with a client (including real parents pumping while YOU help them)
  • What gear you can consider purchasing for use in your practice, where to get it, and how to pay for it. 
    

BONUSES FOR WORKSHOP ATTENDEES

• an invitation to join an active private Facebook group just for workshop attendees to discuss flange fitting in the future as issues with your clients come up and as new products come out,
• private access to many additional resources and videos for workshop attendees

Interested in hosting a workshop?  Availability is now limited for 2025, but reach out to see if it's possible!  If you are interested in hosting a workshop, or email jeanette@babiesincommon.com to enquire about what hosting entails).

IBCLE Detailed Content Outline 
areas this workshop covers

Testimonials from Participants who have attended one of Jeanette's in-person workshops for lactation professionals...

Used info the very next day at work !

I’m using this information all the time now and my clients have already told me they feel much more comfortable.

The whole process of flange fitting has become fascinating rather that the chore it used to be The fact that 1 mm can make such a huge difference is just amazing That his has totally changed my practice

There are so many and new ones on the market all the time so hard to know what to recommend. Seeing the pumps and getting feedback on so many was enormously helpful. I felt kind of out of my depth, even being an IBCLC for many years and I feel so much more confident in what I can recommend to clients now.

This workshop is even more important for those of us who have been IBCLCs for years as the knowledge has changed so much and it has been many years since we have had personal experience with pumping.

Above and beyond what I was hoping for!

Amazing workshop! I tend to fall asleep and get bored but this workshop I was alert and attentive the entire day. It was very interesting and amazing how I had been flange fitting wrong for so many years and then difference it made. I have since implemented in my private practice and has been a game changer. So thankful for Jeanette and everything we learned.

WOW- mind blown. I learned so much but the main takeaways is that we have been doing people using breast pumps dirty! All pumps come with flanges that are the perfect size for cows, but, last I checked, humans are not shaped like cows, and certainly not our breasts and nipples. That standard 24 mm flange is perfect for cows but not for us. According to Jeanette's research (which will be published soon), we need to size down A LOT and have the nipple fill the tunnel, which is the opposite of what we were trained to believe. When it's the right fit, milk should start spraying within 30 seconds, not minutes. Also, hard flanges are much better than silicone flanges. If you are an IBCLC working with people who pump, you really need to take her class. It's offered online and she will be back on the road with her in-person workshops next year. Be sure to sign up for her email list so you don't miss it. You get a discount if you attend the online one first.

I learned so much at this workshop! As a hospital based lactation consultant, I meet many new moms who intend to breastfeed, pump and bottle feed. These moms turn to the lactation staff with their questions about pumping, which honestly are front of mind, even moreso than direct breastfeeding. I now feel confident that I can give them sound advice for getting off to a good start with pumping, and helping them trouble shoot if they call our warm line with pumping and feeding questions.

I have used the information I learned in this course more than another other CERPS I have taken. Useful information provided in a way that is easy to remember.

I cannot stress the importance of attending one of Jeanette’s in-person workshops. This was a game-changer for my team and our confidence in sizing appropriately for flanges. Jeanette is a wealth of knowledge and I’m grateful her expertise equipped us with the skills and information to ensure we are providing the most up-to-date education and care for our clients. Highly recommend her class!

It was so inspiring being in a room full of women that share the same passion to change this field and to help people have the best experience possible when it comes to feeding their babies. This workshop made me want to laugh, cry, and at times, stand up and shake my fist in frustration. Such valuable information and community is provided in this course led by Jeanette. I'm grateful to have been a part of it. Thank you for all you do and have done, Jeanette! Megan B. (Lactation Intern)

I was able to take both the virtual and in person workshops, and both were absolutely incredible. This time I was able to have 2 team members with me and they learned so much. We are already implementing what we learned. Thank you Jeanette!! - AB

I think this course is so important that ALL IBCLC's should take it. It is rare for most IBCLC's to be able to see all the pumps, wearables, bottles, and feeding devices on the market the way you can in this course. It was so helpful to understand the history of pumps and flanges and to really challenge the way we traditionally do things. This course will change the way you practice! I highly recommend this course. Dr. Carrie Dendtler PT DPT IBCLC

I had the privilege of not only taking the course, but also being a demo for my colleagues. I am still nursing my almost 1 year old so I rarely pump and when I do output is not near what it used to be. When we used the methods from this course I was stunned. Not only was it more comfortable but it increased output and stimulated more than one letdown. That's not ever been something I've been able to do in my 10 years of breastfeeding. Learning hands on and experiencing it myself was definitely the best way to learn! Highly recommend taking this course. Especially if you're a currently lactating IBCLC!

Jeanette's workshop blew my mind! The hours of hands on, in person, opportunity for questions and real live pumping volunteers to trial different flanges with was worth every cent!!! I HIGHLY recommend this course for any IBCLC working with pumping clients. Thank you!!! Danielle Woods BSN RN IBCLC Valley Woods Lactation Intervale NH

Highly recommend this fun interactive workshop! Jeanette shared a wealth of information and presented in a fun and casual way. I have been an IBCLC for 27 years and left the workshop with new information that I put into practice right away. It was a bonus to spend the day connecting with colleagues in person. Lynne Ricardo, RN, IBCLC, Marshfield, MA

As a newer IBCLC taking this course MY jaw dropped and mouth was open as I examined in surprise the large variety of pumps and bottles and the difference in milk output when the correct size flange was used! Highly recommend this course .. well worth your time and money!! KW IBCLC

I did a flange fitting for a client the week after the course and a patient called it “magical”! Thank you! CB

The amount of information and practical application tips in the Pumping and Feeding Gear workshop is amazing. Jeanette shares so many useful tips and information for flange sizing, choosing a bottles (more complex than you'd think), and everything you want to know and need to know about the pumps on the market. I had taken the online class and it had a huge impact on the care I was able to offer parents. I have to say, the in person class was even more informative and exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds. Seeing the gear in person, being able to interact with it, and having the real life demonstrations for flange sizing, pumping, and bottle choice and feeding was invaluable. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who works with families. Not only will the course impact your practice, the continued conversation and materials she provides guarentees continued support in using the information and to keep up to date moving forward. Thank you Jeanette for depth of knowledge shared! Sabrina, IBCLC Nurture By Nature Holistic Lactation

What a great experience to have such a variety of pumps and flanges, nipple shields, pacifiers, bottles, and too many items to list related to lactation - all in one place! Jeanette was knowledgeable, relatable and FUNNY. She had personal experiences to share as well as many videos and brought in clients to demonstrate techniques for flange fitting in real time with real people using tools we saw and were able to learn about then and there. Jeanette was an interactive speaker and invited participation from the group, which was a good size group, but relatively small enough to be able to have comfortable discussion. I liked that she discussed anecdotal as well as evidenced based evidence for information she shared. I highly recommend this super fun and informative seminar, especially as we have more in person options available compared to the online world we had a few years ago. Jessica Simpson, M.S, CCC-SLP, IBCLC