When Lactation Meets Medicine: How IBCLCs, and Nurse Practitioners Work Together to Support Feeding

When families think about lactation support, they often think of an IBCLC — and for good reason. IBCLCs are the gold standard in infant feeding care. But in some situations, feeding challenges go beyond mechanics and education alone. This is where breastfeeding medicine and advanced clinical training come in.

At Wisco Lactation, we’re proud to offer a team made up not only of experienced IBCLCs, but also an NP, IBCLC — allowing us to bridge the gap between lactation care and medical management when families need more comprehensive support.

The Role of an IBCLC: The Foundation of Feeding Support

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a highly trained clinical specialist in lactation and infant feeding. IBCLCs complete extensive education, thousands of clinical hours, and must pass a rigorous international board exam.

IBCLCs are experts in:

• Latch, positioning, and feeding mechanics

• Milk production and milk supply concerns

• Pumping, bottle feeding, and combination feeding

• Infant oral function and feeding behavior

• Creating individualized, evidence-based feeding plans

• Providing emotional, judgment-free support

  
  

For many families, an IBCLC is exactly what they need — and often the best place to start.

When Feeding Is Also a Medical Issue

Sometimes, feeding challenges are influenced by underlying medical factors that require more than traditional lactation support alone. These may include:

• Chronic or unexplained low milk supply

• Hormonal or endocrine concerns

• Postpartum medical complications

• Infant medical conditions impacting feeding

• The need for prescription medications that affect milk production or infant feeding

  
  

In these situations, having a provider who understands both lactation science and medical management can make a meaningful difference.

What an APNP, IBCLC Brings to Breastfeeding Medicine

A provider who is an NP, IBCLC  brings multiple layers of expertise into one visit.

As an NP, they bring strong clinical assessment skills and a deep understanding of postpartum and infant health.

As an IBCLC, they maintain advanced, evidence-based expertise in lactation and infant feeding.

Our Nurse Practitioner (NP)—with advanced training through the IABLE Breastfeeding Medicine course—is able to:

• Assess, diagnose, and manage medical conditions

• Prescribe medications when appropriate

• Order labs or additional evaluations when needed

• Address complex postpartum or infant health concerns

  
  

This combination allows for a breastfeeding medicine approach — where feeding challenges are addressed from both a functional and medical perspective, without families needing to bounce between multiple providers.

Why This Matters for Families

When one provider can integrate lactation care with medical decision-making, families benefit from:

• More streamlined care

• Faster identification of underlying issues

• Treatment plans that align feeding goals with medical needs

• Fewer referrals and less fragmented support

• Confidence that nothing is being overlooked

  
  

Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, this approach looks at the whole picture — the parent, the baby, and the feeding relationship.

How Our Team Supports You at Wisco Lactation

At Wisco Lactation, our care model is built on collaboration and advanced training. Our team includes:

• Highly trained IBCLCs who provide the foundation of expert feeding support

• An NP, IBCLC  who can step in when breastfeeding intersects with medical complexity

  
  

This means whether you need foundational lactation support or a more advanced breastfeeding medicine approach, you can receive care within the same trusted team.

The Takeaway

IBCLCs are essential to infant feeding care — but when feeding challenges become medically complex, having access to a provider who is both an IBCLC and a medical provider can offer an added layer of support.

At Wisco Lactation, we believe families deserve care that meets them where they are, adapts to their needs, and supports their feeding goals fully — medically, functionally, and emotionally.

You don’t have to choose between lactation support and medical care. With the right team, you can have both.

Book a visit with Wisco Lactation! We offer home & office visits in Southern Wisconsin and NE Illinois. Including Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha and the surrounding areas. Virtual visits offered worldwide!

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