Natural Doesn't Mean Easy: The Truth About Breastfeeding

In this episode of the Patient Innovations Podcast, hosts Rashmi Kandwal and Colleen Rogers explore breastfeeding from three perspectives: lived experience, clinical medicine, and maternal health innovation.New mom and content creator Brittany Runck opens up about her fertility journey, a NICU stay with her son Briggs, and what she calls the "middle ground" that doesn't get talked about enough. Dr. Michelle Haggerty, DO, MPH, IBCLC — founder of Fourth Trimester Doc — brings clinical precision to the question of why postpartum care in America is failing mothers, and what it looks like to actually fix it. And Ashley Mooneyham, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Momease Solutions, shares the research behind a 97% dissatisfaction rate with breast pumps — and the startup she built to do something about it.Every feeding path is real. Every mother deserves support.Top Learnings From This EpisodeWhat the "fourth trimester" is and why it matters for maternal healthMatrescence: the birth of a mother, and why it deserves the same attention as adolescenceWhy 60% of maternal deaths happen postpartum — and 85% are considered preventableThe connection between lactation and maternal mental healthWhy breastfeeding reduces long-term risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancersNew clinical data: 10-20% of mothers physiologically cannot fully breastfeedNew treatment guidelines for mastitis (it's inflammatory — not always bacterial)What's wrong with the standard six-week postpartum visit, and what better care looks likeWhy 97% of mothers surveyed were dissatisfied with their breast pump experienceSupporting pumping moms in the workplace: rights, tools, and what employers can doThe NICU experience and the unique breastfeeding challenges NICU families faceFeatured GuestsBrittany Runck — Content creator and new mom sharing her fertility journey, NICU experience with her son Briggs, and the realities of early motherhood. Instagram and TikTok: @BrittanyRunckDr. Michelle Haggerty, DO, MPH, IBCLC of Fourth Trimester Doc — Physician board-certified in family medicine, integrative medicine, and lactation, providing in-home postpartum medical care for mothers and newborns. Currently in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield.Ashley Mooneyham, PhD of Momease Solutions — Co-founder and CEO of a maternal health startup built on the voices of over 2,000 mothers. 2024 Minnesota Cup Grand Prize winner and 2025 HealthcareMN Startup of the Year.Hosted ByRashmi KandwalColleen RogersConnect With Our GuestsBrittany Runck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanyrunckFourth Trimester Doc: https://fourthtrimesterdoc.comMomease Solutions: https://momease.comPetal Soft Breast Flange on IndieGoGo (launching summer 2026): https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/momeaseResources From This EpisodeFind Lactation SupportILCA Lactation Consultant Directory: https://www.ilca.org/why-ibclc/falcLa Leche League International: https://www.llli.orgLa Leche League of MN and the Dakotas: https://www.lllofmndas.orgMinnesota WIC Breastfeeding Hotline (free): 1-800-708-9010 | https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/bf/index.htmlMaternal Mental HealthPostpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.netPSI Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 | Text: 503-894-9453PSI Minnesota Chapter: https://psichapters.com/mnMothers on Edge: https://www.mothersonedge.orgMaternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance: https://www.mmhla.orgNICU Family SupportRonald McDonald House Upper Midwest: https://rmhc-uppermidwest.orgEveryday Miracles (MN): https://www.everyday-miracles.orgWorkplace PumpingPUMP Act / FLSA Break Time for Nursing Mothers: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/73-flsa-break-time-nursing-mothersBusiness Case for Breastfeeding (employer toolkit): https://womenshealth.govMamava: https://www.mamava.comMilkMate: https://milkmate.comFeeding Equity and AdvocacyFed Is Best Foundation: https://www.fedisbest.orgBlack Mamas Matter Alliance: https://blackmamasmatter.orgMinnesota Perinatal Network: https://www.mnperinatal.orgFind a DoulaDONA International: https://www.dona.org/find-a-doulaAbout the Patient Innovations Podcast The Patient Innovations Podcast brings together patients, clinicians, innovators, and healthcare leaders to explore how lived experience and human-centered innovation are reshaping healthcare.Listen and subscribe: https://healthcare.mn/podcast Contact: [email protected]#PatientInnovations #Breastfeeding #MaternalHealth #FourthTrimester #BreastfeedingSupport #NICU #PostpartumCare #WomensHealth #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareMN