Lactation Services
Lactation Services
Education and hands-on support for breastfeeding, pumping, and early feeding challenges.
Feeding your baby might feel like it should come naturally—but for many parents, it doesn’t at first. It’s completely normal to have questions, face challenges, or wonder if you’re doing it “right.”
Our board-certified lactation consultants are here to help, whether you have a specific concern or just need reassurance. Their goal is to give you the information and support you need, no matter what feeding approach works best for your family.
During your hospital stay, you can meet with an on-site lactation consultant to get guidance on breastfeeding techniques, expressing milk, or addressing special feeding needs. After you go home, they’re just a phone call away—ready to offer practical tips, answer questions, and provide support whenever you need it.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Join other parents in a monthly class where you’ll get practical breastfeeding tips and support from a certified lactation consultant.
How We Can Help
Common Breastfeeding Challenges
For you:
- Breast swelling, tightness, or increase in size causing discomfort
- Sore nipples
- Low milk production
For your baby:
- Sucking challenges
- Difficulty latching to the breast
Feeding, Growth, & Development Concerns
- Slow weight gain or failure to thrive (a growth deficit also known as “growth faltering”)
- Jaundice
- Intolerances or allergies to food you’re eating
Support for Complex or Special Situations
- Multiple babies
- Preterm birth
- Separation from your baby due to illness or work
- Cleft lip and/or palate
Family Birth Center Classes and Support Groups
Breastfeeding & Pumping Resources
Breast Pump How-To Videos
Pumping & Storage
External Resources
Other helpful online resources from external sources.
Breastfeeding
- Global Health Media Project Videos:
- Video: Maximizing Your Milk Production
- Breastfeeding Special Circumstances
- Office of Women’s Health: Breastfeeding in Public
Baby
- Video: Should Babies Sleep Through the Night?
- Babywearing, Why Do It?
Medications
- The MommyMeds Mobile App: Android-Google Play or Apple Store
Ongoing Resources
- Kellymom.com
- Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition
- Want to get involved? Visit: https://www.idahobreastfeeding.org/
Donor Human Milk
Babies receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) sometimes need extra support with feeding. When a mother’s own milk isn’t available or a baby needs additional nutrition, donor human milk may be used to support feeding.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends human milk for preterm infants because it provides important nutrients and immune support during early development. Donor milk used at Kootenai Health comes from a regulated milk bank and is carefully screened and processed to meet established safety and nutrition standards.
If your baby is receiving care in the NICU and donor milk is being considered, your care team will explain how it’s used and answer any questions you may have.
Learn more about milk banking
- Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA)
- Northwest Mother’s Milk Bank (Pacific Northwest donors)
Donors can complete the process from home using approved shipping containers.
Please note: Kootenai Health does not accept breast milk donations directly at our facility.
