Frequently Asked Questions:

🌿 Microbiome Plan Virtual Conference 2026

📅 25–26 April 2026 | 100% Virtual | Global Access

Q. Who is hosting this conference?

A: This conference is hosted by Alto Films Ltd, the content creation company owned by Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford. Toni and Alex are the filmmakers behind the award-winning documentary MICROBIRTH. Toni and Alex, and their company Alto Films Ltd, are completely independent. We have no affiliations with, and receive no income from, any other organisation or company.

Q. When is the conference?

Pre-conference Sponsor Showcase Day:

Fri 24th April 2026 9-5.30p, (US Pacific Time)

2 Main Conference (Speaker Days):

Sat 25 April 2026 9-5.30pm (US Pacific Time)

Sun 26 April 2026 9-5.30pm (US Pacific Time)

Q. I can't attend live. Can I access the replay?

STANDARD TICKET (or BURSARY TICKETS: You will have access to the replays of the Speaker Presentations for 30 days on the conference platform.

STANDARD TICKET USD $67 (Super Early Bird) >>> BUY NOW <<<

BURSARY TICKET for Students / Unemployed / Low Income Countries USD $27 (Super Early Bird) >>> BUY NOW

PREMIUM TICKET: You will have access to the replays of the Speaker Presentations for 30 days on the conference platform. You will also have access to all presentations for 1 year on our Teachable platform, and CPD/CE credits can be claimed anytime within that year.

PREMIUM TICKET (Includes Breast Milk course) USD $97 >>> BUY NOW <<<

Q. What CPD/CE credits will I receive?

A. PREMIUM TICKET Holders ONLY:

👉 PREMIUM TICKET: 10 Hours CPD/CE and CERPs for MICROBIOME PLAN 2026 Conference.

A downloadable printable certificate of completion will be provided.

10 HOURS CPD ENDORSEMENT Australian College of Midwives (APPROVED)

10 HOURS CPD/CE Applied for from Midwifery Educational Accreditation Council (PENDING)

These are 10 Hours CPD/CE accepted by ACM, MEAC, NMC, and many doula and childbirth education organisations (please check with your provider) - including:

• Australian College of Midwives (ACM)
• Midwifery Educational Accreditation Council (MEAC)
• National Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Lamaze International
• CAPPA
• ICEA
• DONA International
• BirthWorks International
• 10 CERPs accepted by IBLCE

2026 Microbiome Plan Conference

CERP Recertification

IMPORTANT: If this conference is purchased on or after January 1st 2026, according to the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) Individual CERPs Guide For Recertification, Secion IIIA, education that has been awarded educational credit by another board or organization may be counted as CERPs. This conference has been awarded 10 HOURS CPD/CE continuing education credits from Australian College of Midwives (ACM).

Each 1 Hour CPD credit can be counted as 1 CERP, total 10 CERPs.

CERP Information for MICROBIOME PLAN 2026 Conference:

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®)

Lactation specific education:

• Includes in-person presentations, online education, distance learning and independent study modules.
• Education may be from an IBLCE verified Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERP) Provider, but it is not required to be.
• Education is to be on topics that are specific to lactation and breastfeeding, examples of which can be found on the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline.
• One education hour for 60 minutes of education.

Detailed Content Outline

I. Development and Nutrition

A. Infant

2. Food intolerances/allergies

·      Ariangela Kovic, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan, Microbiologist & Computational Biologist

·      Interview: Early Priming Of The Infant Immune System To Prevent Allergies

·      Willem De Vos, Professor, Microbiology, Wageningen University & Finland Academy Professor at Helsinki University

·      Interview: The Disappearing Infant Microbiome: Loss of Bifidobacteria, Causes, and Restoration Strategies

TOTAL: 1 HOUR

3. Infant anatomy and anatomical/oral challenges

·      Rodney Dietert, Emeritus Professor of Immunotoxicology, Cornell University

·      Presentation: Revisiting the Completed Self Hypothesis and the Microbe-Driven Path to a Healthy Life

TOTAL: 1 HOUR

8. Nutritional requirements – including preterm

·      Rajinder Gulati, Pediatrician and national trainer for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)

·      Presentation: Human Milk: The Complete Bioactive Ecosystem for Infant Health

·      Raymond Kiu, Computational and experimental microbiologist, University of Birmingham

·      Presentation: Impact Of Early Life Probiotic Treatment On Gut Microbiome And Resistome Of Preterm Infants

·      TOTAL: 1 HOUR

I. Development and Nutrition

B. Maternal

3. Composition of human milk

·      Bruce German, Professor and Director of the Foods for Health Institute at the University of California Davis

·      Interview: The Chemistry Of Human Milk

·      Jennifer Smilowitz, Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Nutrition, University of California Davis

·      Presentation: Human Milk: the Biological Model For Understanding Prebiotics And Probiotics In Infancy

·      TOTAL: 1 HOUR

V. Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology

B. Birth practices

·      Molly O'Brien, Midwife and Educator, Biomechanics of Birth

·      Workshop: Born To Move: Why Movement Matters In Pregnancy And Birth

·      Debby Bogaert, Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh

·      Presentation: Mother-To-Infant Microbe Seeding: More Than Meets The Eye

·      TOTAL: 1 HOUR

VI. Techniques

A.    Effective milk transfer (including medically-indicated supplementation)

·      Jack Newman, Pediatrician and Founder, International Breastfeeding Centre

·      Interview: Strategies to help breastfeeding after formula supplementation in hospitals.

·      Marcin Pekalski, Immunologist, University of Oxford

·      Presentation: Human Milk, Probiotics And Weaning

TOTAL: 1 HOUR

B. First hour

·      Martina Donaghy, Midwife & International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

·      Workshop: How To Support Skin-To-Skin And Breastfeeding After C-section

·      Kathryn Stagg, IBCLC, Responsive Parenting Twins

·      Workshop: Establishing Initiation of Breastfeeding With Preterm Babies and Multiples

TOTAL: 1 HOUR

H. Skin-to-skin (kangaroo care)

·      Nils Bergman, Neuroscientist & Public Health Physician

·      Presentation: Zero Separation has science, evidence and policy: now what?

·      Francis McGlone, Professor of Neuroscience. Manchester Metropolitan University

·      Interview: Skin-to-skin And Gentle Stroking Touch For The Infant

TOTAL: 1 HOUR

VII. Clinical Skills

B. Education and Communication

4. Educating mothers and families

·      Carol Phillips, DC, Chiropractor and craniosacral therapist

·      Workshop: Dynamic Body Balancing Utilizes A Biomechanical And Craniosacral Approach To Restoring Balance Within The Body Of A Mother And Her Newborn.

·      Dawn Whitten, Naturopath, Herbalist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

·      Presentation: Probiotics For Breastfeeding Women - Which Probiotic, When, Why And Why Not!

TOTAL: 1 HOUR

5. Educating professionals, peers, and students

·      Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery, Associate Dean Research, Western Sydney University

·      Interview: A Roadmap For Change In Maternity Care

·      Michelle Irving, Lecturer in Midwifery, Bournemouth University

·      Presentation: The Microbiome Matters! What Midwives, And Other Maternity Care Workers, Can Do To Protect It.

TOTAL: 1 HOUR

TOTAL: 7 L-CERPs, 3 R-CERPs

👉 PREMIUM TICKET Holders ONLY:

👉 PREMIUM TICKET:17 Hours CPD/CE and 17 L-CERPs for Breast Milk & Infant Microbiome Course

Approved for 17 HOURS CPD Endorsed by Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and 17 Hours CPD/CE approved by Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC).

These are 17 Hours CPD/CE accepted by ACM, MEAC, NMC, and many doula and childbirth education organisations (please check with your provider) - including:

• Australian College of Midwives (ACM)
• Midwifery Educational Accreditation Council (MEAC)
• National Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Lamaze International
• CAPPA
• ICEA
• DONA International
• BirthWorks International
• 17 L-CERPs accepted by IBLCE

Bonus Breast Milk & Infant Microbome Course

CERP Recertification

IMPORTANT: If this course is purchased on or after January 1st 2026, according to the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) Individual CERPs Guide For Recertification, Secion IIIA, education that has been awarded educational credit by another board or organization may be counted as CERPs. This course has been awarded 17 HOURS CPD/CE continuing education credits from Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC)

Each 1 Hour CPD credit can be counted as 1 CERP, total 17 L-CERPs.

Lactation specific education:

• Includes in-person presentations, online education, distance learning and independent study modules.
• Education may be from an IBLCE verified Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERP) Provider, but it is not required to be.
• Education is to be on topics that are specific to lactation and breastfeeding, examples of which can be found on the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline.
• One education hour for 60 minutes of education.

Breast Milk and the Microbiome

17 CPD Hours – approved BY ACM

Accepted as 17 CERPs in the following categories as outlined by IBCLC-Commission Detailed Content Outline:

International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

Detailed Content Outline

I. Development and Nutrition

A. Infant

2. Food intolerances/allergies

·      Session 6: Infant Immune Training

·      Session 6: Further Learning: Infant Immune Training

·      2 HOURS

3. Infant anatomy and anatomical/oral challenges

·      Session 5: HMOs and Microbes In The Infant Gut

·      Session 5: Further Learning: HMOs and Microbes In The Infant Gut

·      2 HOURS

4. WHO guidelines for introducing complementary foods

·      Session 9: HMOs and Infant Formula

·      Session 9: Further Learning: HMOs and Infant Formula

·      1 HOUR

6. Milk banking – formal and informal

·      Session 8: Expressed Milk and Donor Milk

·      1 HOUR

7. Normal infant behaviours

·      Session 6: How HMOs Affect Infant Body Systems

·      Session 6: Further Learning: How HMOs Affect Infant Body Systems

·      2 HOURS

11. Term development and growth

·      Session 8: Further Learning: The Protective Power of Breast Milk

·      1 HOUR

B. Maternal

3. Composition of human milk

·      Session 1: Introduction to human milk

·      Session 1: Further Learning: What is in human milk?

·      Session 2: Microbes in Human Milk

·      Session 2: Further Learning: Microbes in Human Milk

·      Session 3: HMOs in Human Milk

·      Session 3: Further Learning: HMOs in Human Milk

·      6 HOURS

4. Maternal anatomical challenges

·      Session 4: Variations of HMOs in Different Mothers

·      Session 4: Further Learning: Secretors versus Non-secretors

·      2 HOURS

Total 17 HOURS = 17 L-CERPs

PREMIUM TICKET USD $97 (Includes Breast Milk & Infant Microbiome Course) >>> BUY NOW <<<

Q. Can I sponsor this event?

Absolutely! We are looking for individuals and organisations connected to the birth world who are looking to sponsor this event. We offer tiered pricing to suit all budgets.

Prices start from USD $1000 for being a sponsor, including the chance to add something to the SWAG BAG (digital product, a digital sample or flyer) to be distributed to all attendees.

Platinum and Gold level sponsors have a virtual booth in the Exhibit Hall plus other branding opportunities.

Click this link to download the 2026 Conference Sponsor Pack >>> https://form.jotform.com/253452780416357

Q. Do I need to install any special software?

A. NO. You do not need to download or install any software to participate in our conference. You only need to have access to the Internet.

Q. How do I get a Bursary Ticket?

You click the Bursary Ticket button! If you are a student, unemployed, or if you are from a country that faces economic challenges (see the list of countries at the bottom of this page), you can buy a Bursary Ticket. If you are unsure if you qualify for a Bursary Ticket, please Contact Us HERE

Q. Can I get a Group Discount?

A: For groups of 10 or more, a 20% discount is available.

Contact us HERE

Q. How do I access the LIVE conference?

A. Full instructions for virtual conference access will be available a week before the conference starts. Tech support will be available inside the conference.

Q. What if I have another question?

A. A: For any other questions or inquiries, contact: Toni Harman, Producer/ Director, MICROBIRTH contact us here