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I provide Lactation services and education in the comfort of your home.
​​Serving lower Fairfield County, CT, Westchester County, NY, and the Lower Hudson Valley
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Call or Text 914-218-6231

What is a Telehealth Lactation Consult?

3/22/2020

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Today I am writing about Telehealth Lactation Consults. You may also hear the term Virtual Consults. This method of support has been a part of many IBCLC’s (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant’s) repertoire for years before the current health crisis. Recently many IBCLC’s have added this service and sought training on making this successful for our clients and families.

What is a Telehealth Consult?


A Telehealth or Virtual Consult is a consult that is conducted through HIPAA compliant, secure live video. This means I am still adhering to regulations to safeguard your privacy and medical information. A consult through video has limitations and does not replace an in-person consult and examination. This is also true if you have a Telemedicine visit with your MD.


What can I do to support you and your family through Telehealth?

  1. Thorough history of parent/baby/ feeding history
  2. Address current concerns
  3. Visual exam of breasts/baby
  4. Observe a feeding/latch/position/pumping/Flange Fit
  5. Comprehensive Education
  6. Create a Breastfeeding/Lactation Care Plan with your input with written recommendations
  7. Provide multiple resources targeted to your needs (articles/videos/pictures)
  8. Collaborate with your Health care provider(s)
  9. Provide continuing follow-up per agreement

What is different in a Telehealth Consult?

  1. I may ask you to video part of a feeding/pumping and send it to me via secure portal
  2. I may ask you to make other brief videos to assist me in my assessment. This is all included in the consult even if it takes place later.
  3. I can’t examine your baby or their oral structures
  4. I can’t physically examine your breast or provide in person help with positioning and latch
How to prepare for your Telehealth Consult

Please have a person available to help position the camera/computer during the consult (For those with scheduling issues, I can arrange evening consults)

Please have sufficient lighting in the room and a separate portable light/lamp that can be directly aimed at a subject

Have your camera available to take pictures/videos for later review

Telehealth consults, due to their nature, may require more follow up messaging (this is included)


IBCLC’s are a creative group of professionals. We have always utilized videos, gesticulating with our hands and using props like dolls and knitted breasts to aid us in teaching! We have adapted to Virtual Lactation. Let us be there for you and your family during this time!


Let’s keep the milk flowing, prevent problems and keep the babies/children and parents smiling on this journey! Join us online!


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How do I protect you and your family during the Coronavirus outbreak?

3/14/2020

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During this current health crisis, babies are still being born and more families may need the support of a Lactation Consultant. As a Registered Nurse and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) I routinely work with babies in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and the Newborn Nursery. These babies are fragile and I take my responsibility to protect their health and your families' health very seriously. These are the precautions I take. Excepting the added pre-screen questionnaire, these are the same precautions I take on a regular basis. 

Prior to your consult:

1. I screen all clients and their family for signs of an illness via a questionnaire prior to the consult. I offer a Telehealth consult for those who report symptoms and still desire a consult.

2. I will notify you of any illness in myself or my family and cancel the consult. I will either reschedule or assist you to find another IBCLC in a timely manner

3. I thoroughly clean all my supplies with approved disinfectants, including my iphone/ipad and pen before and after each consult 

During your consult:

1. I wash my hands with soap and water thoroughly for a minimum of 20 seconds and use clean paper towels to dry them

2. I sanitize my scale with an approved disinfectant and use one of your receiving blankets on my scale for weight measurements

3. I use disposable gloves when examining your baby's mouth and any time I touch you

I am now proud to offer Telehealth Consults through a HIPAA compliant Secure Video

I continue to enjoy my passion for supporting families on their breastfeeding and lactation journeys!





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    Author

    Cathleen Walker
    ​Breastfeeding Advocate, RN, IBCLC

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© COPYRIGHT 2016. Cathleen Walker. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Photos used under Creative Commons from jonny.hunter, TrishaLyn, donnierayjones, abbybatchelder
  • Home
  • In-Home Consults
    • TeleHealth Consults
  • Office Visits at Gaea Breastfeeding
    • Free Prenatal Breastfeeding class
  • Book A Consult
    • Services & Fees
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
    • Common Issues >
      • Myths
    • Blog
  • Areas of Service