About Carolyn
I believe that becoming a parent and breastfeeding is a very personal and precious journey that will look different for each and every family and my goal is to carefully listen, utilize my skills and experience of over 20 years as an IBCLC to help families navigate around some of the hurdles that may be encountered when starting down the lactation path with a new baby to help make these first days and weeks go as smoothly and be as enjoyable as possible.
After finding my own way through the challenges of breastfeeding and becoming well acquainted with all the health-giving benefits and enjoying the close bond that breastfeeding helps foster with my own 3 children, I became a volunteer breastfeeding counselor in 1991 and enjoyed many years of supporting mothers and babies through leading support groups and then reached my goal of becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2004. Shortly after that, I began working in a private practice and teaching breastfeeding classes at Inova Loudoun Hospital and then joined their lactation staff where I spent over 10 years working with countless families in both the inpatient (including NICU and pediatrics) and outpatient settings (including drop-in clinic). Following my years at Inova Loudoun hospital, I was involved with other private practices and also worked for several years at Stone Springs Hospital Center as an IBCLC. Through Nurturing Nature Lactation Services, I’m now looking forward to sharing my love of working with families in a more personalized setting where I can devote my years of experience supporting breastfeeding families through all stages of their journey, from pregnancy through weaning. I'm constantly learning and applying knowledge I've acquired through taking courses for IBCLCs and recently completed the IBCLC Master Class, Babies In Common pumping and feeding workshop (a comprehensive course on the various pumps on the market and proper flange fitting), and the Low Milk Supply specialist course through The Lactation Hub to keep up with the most advanced lactation education. When I'm not helping families navigate through their breastfeeding journeys, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing with my 3 granddaughters who keep me very busy!
"Carolyn was a God-send, hands down! I had my son on March 13, 2020 which was the start of the government shut down, give or take a few days. I never would have imagined how much help she would be to my journey. Aside from all the normal hardships a momma's body goes through and the difficulties with the beginning stages of nursing, additionally I had some abnormal add ons to throw in the load. My son had a tongue tie, which affected his latch and eating, I got mastitis around 5 times (somewhat related), and a number of other things I can't seem to recall. Breastfeeding was very difficult for me to fight through and not give up. Carolyn was there by my side the whole way, with tips and tricks and an immense amount of knowledge and encouragement. I didn't feel alone. And I never felt like a burden (she made sure of that). I don't think I would have been able to go so far with breastfeeding without her. In the next couple of years, my husband and I plan on having another one. Regardless of breastfeeding being easy or hard with the next, I'm going to Carolyn. She makes you feel like you are her most important patient and will take her time to answer all your questions. And as a new momma, there are so many!" - Christin