Ellen Chetwynd, PhD
Lactation Consultant, Researcher, Educator
About Ellen Chetwynd
Ellen Chetwynd, PhD MPH BSN IBCLC
​
LACTATION CONSULTANT
The name of my practice is Teaching Babies to Nurse. We we use an integration of lactation consulting and infant body dynamics. We specialize in difficult breastfeeding situations in which standard practice protocols might not be enough. Resistent pain and poor transfer are of particular interest. Our approach accesses infant learning, guiding babies to think their way to better nursing. Learn more about my journey.
​
RESEARCHER | WRITER
As Editor in Chief at the Journal of Human Lactation I have the privalege of working with researchers from around the world as well as pursuing my own research interests. Reading and writing about the science of lactation is something I do every day. I also have a position at the University of North Carolina in the School of Medicine where my topic area is rural maternity care. My past publications span topics from induction of milk in non-puerpural parents to breastfeeding pain, breastfeeding and metabolic health to the reimbursement of IBCLCs, the efficacy of breastfeeding support to research methodology. Here is a link to my publications.
​
SPEAKER | EDUCATOR
I have always been an educator and have a long history of speaking on professional topics, most recently, about breastfeeding and lactation support. I speak in academic settings, and as an invited or or key note speaker at conferences. I host workshops and provide mentorship opportunities through my own practice several times a year and always enjoy invitations to present.
​
ADVOCATE
Integration of lactation consulting into the mainstream of health care is pivotal to providing access to high quality breastfeeding support. My efforts in this direction have led to leadership positions in North Carolina's Lactation Consultant Association and Breastfeeding Coalition, collaborations with IBLCE and USLCA, providing guidance to the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance on their lactation policy, acting as an expert witness, providing evidence on the field of lactation consulting, and serving on various statewide workgroups and task force meetings.
EDUCATION
PhD, Maternal and Child Health
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2016
MPH, Maternal and Child Health
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2011
BS, Nursing
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1991
BA, Biology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1988
Post-Doctoral Research, Nutrition
North Carolina State University, 2017