Meet The Fellow: Lauren Nichols MPH, IBCLC

Ellen and Lauren at Teaching Babies to Nurse

"What I love about working with Lauren is the intuitive presence of a doula she brings to being a lactation consultant—she always knows what's needed for comfort, whether that's a pillow or a word of encouragement. Her intelligence and research background are clear in her approach to learning. She offers warmth and a grounded sense of humor that is a benefit to both her clients and her colleagues! I am excited to see where she takes this blend of skills as she gains more experience as a lactation consultant (IBCLC)." --Ellen

We’re thrilled to introduce Lauren Nichols, one of our amazing Fellows at Teaching Babies To Nurse! With a background in public health, a deep empathy for new parents, and a gift for meeting families right where they are, Lauren brings a beautiful blend of compassion, humor, and expertise to her work in lactation support.

From Massachusetts Roots to North Carolina Community

Lauren and her husband, Brandon.

Lauren grew up in Massachusetts, where she developed a love for seasons, soups, and the quiet power of nature—especially those classic New England blizzards. That grounding in the rhythm of the seasons shaped her sense of resilience and appreciation for change.

After several years of moving—four times in four years, including two moves during COVID—Lauren and her husband finally settled in Chapel Hill. They came for his job, but quickly decided to stay for the people and the strong sense of community that made North Carolina feel like home.

Life Outside of Work

Lauren’s ideal day includes an iced coffee, 70-degree weather, and a good audiobook—plus a bit of time for her “amateur crafts.” After some quiet solo time, she loves spending her days outdoors with her husband and kids—especially when they’re traveling and can step away from everyday routines.

Lauren and her family.

The Journey to Lactation Work

Before becoming an IBCLC, Lauren worked in public health and as a research coordinator at the University of Michigan and the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. She worked on projects in adolescent and maternal health, including one study on teen mothers’ beliefs about weight gain during pregnancy and another called MyVoice, which used real-time text messaging to gather insights from over 1,000 adolescents.

Lauren loved the challenge of grant writing and research—but everything changed one night in her dark laundry room, bouncing her infant while white noise played beside them.

“It hit me: new parents need more help.”

That moment sparked a new direction. She became a new parent group facilitator in Ann Arbor, where she led circles of parents and babies sharing their highs, lows, and learning together. These groups were full of tears, laughter, and connection—and ignited Lauren’s passion for postpartum care.

From there, she trained as a postpartum doula, supporting families in their homes—holding babies so parents could nap, preparing meals, listening, and helping them find their footing in the early days of parenthood.

But Lauren wanted to go even deeper. She began pursuing her lactation credentials by enrolling in the Mary Rose Tully Training Initiative (MRT-TI) program at UNC in August 2023. Despite juggling two young children, a spouse in medical training, and countless bouts of strep throat and impetigo, she completed her clinical hours in May 2024 and passed her IBCLC boards in January 2025.

“Lactation work feels like the culmination of so much of my professional and personal experience—it’s a perfect fit for me.”

Lauren and her family.

 A Patient-Centered Approach

Lauren’s work is deeply collaborative. She believes in blending evidence-based care with each family’s unique reality.

“I know the science—you know your baby and your life. Let’s come up with a plan that truly works for you.”

Her goal is to help families feel informed, supported, and confident—no matter what their feeding journey looks like.

Celebrating the Gray

Parenting can often feel like a series of binary choices—stay-at-home or working parent, cry-it-out or never let them cry, attachment or authoritative. Lauren wants parents to know that there’s space in the middle, and that feeding choices deserve the same grace as all the other complex decisions we make in life.

“Any amount of human milk you provide your baby is something we celebrate.”

What She Loves Most

Few things bring Lauren more joy than seeing a milk-drunk, peaceful baby after a good feed—or getting to hold a fresh newborn on the way to the scale. Those small, tender moments remind her why she loves this work so much.

Looking Ahead at Teaching Babies To Nurse

Lauren says the calm, supportive atmosphere at Teaching Babies To Nurse has been the perfect environment to grow as a lactation consultant. She’s especially excited about bringing ultrasound therapy for mastitis to the clinic in the future.

“I’m so honored to be learning from such amazing colleagues and working with incredible families every day. I love my job on a deep level because I get to provide the kind of care I once needed myself.”