FAQ—Learn More About Our Practice!

What is the difference between seeing a lactation consultant and seeing a physician Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Specialist?

Lactation consultants are trained to provide counseling for breastfeeding problems such as going back to work, behavioral means of increasing milk production, and helping with latch to improve comfort. Most lactation consultants are not physicians, and they cannot diagnose and treat breastfeeding and lactation disorders. Therefore, they cannot diagnose and treat low production or chronic breast pain, order an evaluation for a breast mass, evaluate and treat an infant for feeding problems, provide induction of lactation, etc. Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physicians are board-certified in their field of primary care (for us, board certified family physicians), with additional 2 years of didactic training specifically in breastfeeding and lactation medicine. Dr Anne Eglash is the creator of the first 2-year physician curriculum pathway for breastfeeding and lactation medicine. We combine our knowledge of anatomy, physiology, maternal child health, and general medicine to provide the best evidence-based medical care in the intersection of medicine and lactation.

Tell me more about breastfeeding and OMM (Osteomanipulative Medicine)

As a Doctor of Osteopathy, Dr. Angela Marchant has extensive training in Osteomanipulative Medicine, which has been shown in studies to be effective in treating infant musculoskeletal problems that interfere with infant feeding. In addition, OMM is an excellent means of treatment for several parental conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic breast pain, breast edema, chronic back pain, and many other musculoskeletal and soft tissue medical problems.

If I sign up to be a member of the Midwest Center for Breastfeeding and Postpartum Medicine, what should I expect?

From our experience, the most intensive work with us will be in the first 2-4 weeks postpartum or after establishing with our practice, to ensure appropriate milk production, effective infant feeding at the breast (or effective pumping for those who exclusively pump), and to ensure that breastfeeding is comfortable. The visits and other communications are a combination of in-office, virtual, email, and texting. Many families find that they have questions throughout their lactation journey, such as infant behavior (sleep, fussiness, etc), going back to work, pump usage, starting solids, medications during lactation, needing to undergo surgery, return to exercise, parental weight management, and many others. By remaining as a member, you can reach out any time for questions and visits. With the 1 monthly membership fee, there are no other charges for visits and communications. If we need to run labs or imaging, then we can order these tests at facilities that take your insurance.

What is the ‘Postpartum Medicine’ part of the Midwest Center for Breastfeeding and Postpartum Medicine practice?

We understand the pregnancy and postpartum population! Many lactating individuals have not seen their primary care physicians for years, as they have been navigating a journey of fertility and pregnancy. Others have difficulty scheduling timely appointments with their primary care physicians, who have known them well. Because we are family physicians and we recognize the challenges that many parents have in addressing their other healthcare needs during this postpartum period, we believe it is important to also provide primary care. Also, we understand how various maternal/parent health issues impact lactation- such as postpartum thyroiditis, contraception & other medications, allergic reactions, acute illnesses, return of menses, breast masses, and many others.

Why do we not take insurance?

Dr. Anne and Dr. Angela both come from the world of large healthcare systems that bill insurance. We greatly understand that people need health insurance and it should cover breastfeeding medicine. However, breastfeeding and lactation support can be complicated! We know that providing optimal breastfeeding medicine care involves intensive visits and frequent contact until breastfeeding is well established, challenges are conquered, and parents feel confident with infant feeding. Due to chronic and unnecessary understaffing, we found ourselves unable to see families with urgent breastfeeding problems for at least 2-4 weeks, with insufficient ability to provide close follow ups. Unfortunately, in the Dane County market, HMOs are the most common forms of insurance and we, as a tiny group, are unable to secure these contracts. We encourage our patients, if eligible, to establish a Health Savings Account to help pay for health services that are not covered by their insurance, particularly high-deductible plans. In the meantime, we continue to explore opportunities to facilitate families’ use of their health insurance plans.