Breastfeeding Medicine
Lactation consulting and breastfeeding medicine are complementary approaches to feeding care. Understanding the difference can help you decide what type of appointment is right for you.
Breastfeeding Medicine vs Lactation Consult
Lactation consultants focus on feeding function—assessing latch and suck, milk transfer, and the dynamic interaction between parent and baby. They provide hands-on support to improve feeding.
Breastfeeding medicine physicians provide medical evaluation and treatment for conditions affecting lactation and feeding, including both parent and infant health concerns.
Our Breastfeeding Medicine Physician
Dr. Eileen Conaway
At Teaching Babies to Nurse, breastfeeding medicine care is provided by Dr. Eileen Conaway, an osteopathic physician, lactation consultant, and specialist in breastfeeding medicine.
Her approach complements standard breastfeeding medicine with osteopathic medicine, meaning she takes a holistic approach to treating your medical conditions with manual therapy in addition to a physical examination and, when needed, laboratory assessment.
Insurance
Generally, breastfeeding medicine falls under lactation support services. We highly recommend that you check whether your insurance coverage is included with The Lactation Network (TLN) or Wildflower before your visit. These organizations partner with insurance companies so that people within their coverage network can receive free lactation support.
Coverage through TLN/Wildflower can offset the cost of a breastfeeding medicine appointment, but does not fully cover it due to the additional services of physician care and/or OMM. This fee for additional services is not reimbursable by insurance.
When you are not covered by TLN/Wildflower and paying out of pocket for your appointment, we can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
FAQ
How is a breastfeeding medicine visit different from a lactation consultation?
In a lactation consultation, we will typically watch a full feeding and assess the breastfeeding dynamic. In a breastfeeding medicine visit, you can expect your medical issue to be addressed, but not to receive a full lactation consultation.
If I schedule a breastfeeding medicine visit, do I need to schedule a lactation consultation too?
It depends on what the visit is for. If you see one provider for your feeding issue, that doesn’t mean you can’t see other providers for the same or complementary services. We work as a team and will assure you receive the most appropriate and timely care that we can provide.
Since the breastfeeding medicine doctor is also an osteopathic physician, should I expect to receive Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) as part of the breastfeeding medicine visit?
Your provider will assess your situation with all the skills and techniques that are appropriate for you. OMM may be a part of the visit.
Will medications be prescribed or lab work ordered during this visit?
Yes, if needed, we can order labs and prescribe medications.
If my visit is postpartum, should I bring my baby?
Usually the baby is not needed for a breastfeeding medicine visit, but they are always welcome to attend with you!