Saint Francis Hospital Partners with Nest Collaborative to Provide Online Lactation Support

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Saint Francis Hospital is pleased to announce it now offers virtual lactation consultation to new moms through its partnership with Nest Collaborative, the nation’s first and largest virtual lactation consultation platform. Saint Francis is the first hospital to partner with Nest Collaborative in the state of Connecticut. The partnership will provide parents who give birth at Saint Francis access to International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants® who provide online video appointments to help guide parents through the breastfeeding process.

Breastfeeding is recognized by pediatricians as an optimal feeding choice to give baby a healthy start and helps create a bond between mother and baby. Saint Francis offers breastfeeding support before delivery, during the hospital stay, and after discharge in order to encourage, teach, and support mothers who want to breastfeed. The new partnership with Nest Collaborative adds another tool to the hospital’s robust support services provided to mothers who deliver at Saint Francis.

Prior to delivery, expectant mothers who plan to deliver at Saint Francis have access to breastfeeding consultation, providing them with the important information and tools needed for a successful start. All Saint Francis maternity unit nurses are trained in lactation support, and certified lactation consultants are available during the hospital stay to assist mothers and babies as they begin their breastfeeding journey, supporting with positioning, latching, and care practices that support breastfeeding and promote lactation.

“The first 72 hours after a new mom leaves the hospital are the most important to successful breastfeeding,” said Walter Trymbulak, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Women and Infants Service Line at Trinity Health Of New England. “We know every new mother is going to run into hurdles and frustrations and we want to provide families with support, so they are able to overcome those challenges and reach their feeding goals.”

Through the partnership with Nest Collaborative, expectant mothers receiving care at Saint Francis are able to sign up for the service at no cost to the patient. The maternity team handles registration for interested parents, providing immediate access to the service once they return home with their newborn.

Nest Collaborative’s expert team provides lactation support for prenatal and postpartum parents from beginning to end. Its nationwide network of lactation consultants is available to families for same-day virtual consultations, increasing access to the help that creates successful breastfeeding journeys.

“Amid the national shortage of baby formula, there has never been a more critical time to support parents in finding the safest, most appropriate way to ensure their newborns are well fed and healthy,” said Judith Nowlin, CEO of Nest Collaborative. “We are grateful to Saint Francis Hospital and Trinity Health Of New England for allowing our certified lactation consultants to help guide hundreds of Connecticut parents to the right choice for their family. Breastfeeding can be challenging, so we focus on helping parents find safe feeding options if exclusive breastfeeding is not possible or desired.”