According to the CDC, over 83% of babies are breastfed at some point in their infancy. You might choose to breastfeed for many reasons from the health benefits associated with breastmilk, to the bonding you experience with your new baby. However, breastfeeding can be just as challenging as it is rewarding. It’s important for new moms to have access to reliable support and expert advice to overcome breastfeeding hurdles.

That’s why Intermountain Health is excited to offer Connect Care Lactation, virtual lactation consultations from the convenience of home or anywhere.

What is Connect Care Lactation?

Connect Care Lactation connects you with board certified lactation consultants through virtual appointments on your phone or computer. New moms meet with a specialist over a video call. The goal is to help new moms address breastfeeding needs, questions, and concerns.

Commonly assisted problems include:

• Latching
• Engorgement
• Milk supply
• Breast and nipple soreness
• Weight concerns (pre/post feeding weight from health provider's office required)
• Pain or breast damage
• Supplementation
• Plugged milk ducts
• Breastfeeding/chest feeding
• Mastitis spectrum
• Induced lactation
• Re-lactation
• Feeding techniques
• General advice
• Weaning
• Bottle-feeding
• Breastmilk pumping
• Back to work

So far, the service has helped many mothers overcome their breastfeeding challenges like Connect Care patient and mother of two, Mary Martha Ostler. When Ostler felt pain when breastfeeding, she assumed it was normal. But when her infant son Josh woke up after a feeding with blood in his mouth, her pediatrician recommended she meet with a Connect Care lactation consultant to make sure all her concerns were addressed.

“I was very skeptical at first because I didn’t know how they could help me physically through a virtual lens,” Ostler said. “Just the convenience of being able to be seen in my own home with my husband’s help was important to me. We met with a woman named Lara and I’ll be forever grateful to her because she sat with me for an hour and a half and worked through all his issues with latching and the appropriate medications, I could use to help repair the skin around my nipples to reduce my pain.”

Benefits of Telehealth Lactation Services

All breastfeeding moms can enjoy a variety of benefits by accessing Connect Care Lactation Services.

Convenient Access to Experts

Through Connect Care Lactation, you have access to board-certified lactation specialists from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, 365 days a year. Appointments can usually be made same-day. Commuting and waiting room delays are things of the past. If you have internet access, you can get care from the comfort of home or anywhere.

Personalized Support

During a virtual lactation consultation, you’ll receive personalized guidance tailored to your unique breastfeeding journey. Lactation consultants can assess your baby’s latch, provide tips on positioning, and offer solutions to any challenges you may be facing. The one-on-one nature of these consultations ensures that your specific needs are addressed, helping you gain confidence, meet your goals, and improve your breastfeeding experience.

Better Health for All

Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits for both mothers and babies, and access to professional lactation support can enhance these benefits. For babies, breastfeeding can boost the immune system, reduce the risk of infections, and promote healthy growth and development. For mothers, it can lower the risk of certain cancers, aid in postpartum recovery, and strengthen the maternal bond. By making lactation support more accessible through telehealth, the Connect Care Lactation Services contributes to better health outcomes for families, fostering a healthier community overall.

“I think between my determination and Connect Care, we’re now here with an 8-week-old who’s 16 pounds and eating very well. And I’m in no pain. I just feel grateful for the service,” Ostler said.

Getting Started

Visit the Connect Care Lactation page on the Intermountain Health Website

Access frequently asked questions and learn more about the services offered.

Schedule an appointment

Patients in Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Montana can call (385) 297-MILK (6455) to schedule their lactation consultation appointments.

Prepare for your Consultation

Ensure you take your call on a device with a camera and stable internet access. Make sure you’re in a quiet, comfortable spot where you can feed your baby with any relevant materials you may need such as a breast pump, nursing pillow, or nipple cream. Asking a support person of your choice to hold and maneuver the camera is recommended as well, so your consultant can closely assess your baby’s latch.

Connect with your Consultant

At the scheduled time, join the virtual consultation and receive expert breastfeeding support. Be open and honest with your location consultant to make the most of your appointment. They’re a judgment-free space, there to support you and your growing baby.

If you need to be seen in-person, our virtual lactation consultants can provide you with in-person lactation referrals. You can also view in-person options here.