About Carol Chamblin, RN, APN, IBCLC

Mission To serve my community by supporting new moms and infants in their choice of feeding method. Vision That all moms who wish to breastfeed receive accurate, evidence-based "how-to" information for their success. Values Empowerment, Compassion, Nurturance, Acceptance, Self-Esteem

Carol Chamblin, RN, APN, IBCLC has over 35 years experience as a Registered Nurse working with mothers and infants. She is an Advanced Practice Nurse with a license to practice in the State of Illinois. She is a provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO. Currently she is in private practice and serving DuPage Medical Group, in the western suburbs of Chicago, in her specialty as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Her affiliation with the physicians of DuPage Medical Group permit higher insurance reimbursements. In addition to her work, Carol is a student in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Rush University in Chicago, IL with her project titled “Lactation Services Offered by the Advanced Practice Nurse in Pediatric Practices.” Her passion is to promote the role of the APN/IBCLC in pediatric practices across the country as a standard of care so that more mothers and infants can have access to the expertise to optimize their breastfeeding goals.

In January, 2011, the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding announced that breastfeeding for a year provides many health benefits for infants including protection from several infections and illnesses such as diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma. Children who were breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese. Actually, every month that mothers breastfeed their infants, there is a 4% reduction in becoming obese, and breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Besides the health benefits of breastfeeding, there are economic benefits. When optimal breastfeeding practices are followed, the savings on infant formula for the first year of life is estimated to be about $1,200-$1,500. Furthermore, the cost savings from reduced medical costs if mothers were to breastfeed for six months is estimated to be billions of dollars for the United States.

Many mothers discontinue breastfeeding before six months of age and lack exclusivity because they cannot find the lactation services to assist with breastfeeding-related problems. In the state of Illinois, the initiation rate is 70.2% with continuation rates of 36% at six months and 16.4% at 12 months. Rates of exclusivity are 27.9% and 11.2% at three months and six months respectively. Indeed, research shows that pediatricians, nurses, and other health care staff do not have the knowledge and skills needed to provide appropriate interventions for managing breastfeeding problems effectively. Common problems such as difficulties with latching technique, sore nipples, and low milk supplies can be effectively managed with lactation services provided in pediatric practice settings. Consequently, these services can address the national breastfeeding promotion targets of increasing duration rates to 60.6% at six months and 34.1% at 12 months, and exclusivity rates of 46.2% and 25.5% at three and six months, respectively.

Work History

1982-1987 - Staff nurse in NICU at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL
1987-1988 - Head nurse of ventilator-dependent unit at LaRabida Children's Hospital in Chicago, IL
1988-1990 - Head nurse of nurseries at University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago, IL
1990-1996 - Staff nurse at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL and taught at Children's Memorial Hospital for Harper College
1995 - Faculty status for Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center

2000-present - Owner of Breast 'N Baby Lactation Services, Inc. providing lactation consultations, Medela Breastpump rentals and purchases, and other breastfeeding-related products
2002-2005 - Coordinator for IBCLC Day for ILCA (International Lactation Consultant Association)
2003 - Lectured on the topic of "Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction" sponsored by Medela, Inc.
2004 - Lectured on the topic of "Nipple Shield Use in the 21st Century" sponsored by Medela, Inc.
2004 - Consultant for NICU Lactation Room Re-Design at Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford, IL
2006 - Lectured on the topic of "Breastfeeding Assessments for Mothers and Babies" sponsored by Medela, Inc.
2006 - Published article - AWHONN's (Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nursing) Lifelines 10 (1), 42-49. February/March 2006 - Published "Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction: What Nurses & Moms Need to Know"
2007 - Parent Panel on "Babies Who Can't Latch" sponsored by Medela, Inc.
2006-2008 - Served as Board of Director - Reimbursement for the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA)
2009 - Lectured on the topic of "When Babies Won't Latch" at North Central Illinois Breastfeeding Task Force
2010-2012 - Perinatal Advisory Council of the Illinois Chapter of the March of Dimes
2010 - Lectured on the topic of "When Babies Won't Latch: Preserving Production While Fixing the Latch" at International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) Conference in San Antonio, TX
2010 - Lectured on the topic of "The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse Offering Lactation Services in Pediatric Practice Settings" at the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing Conference in Lombard, IL
2011 - Lectured on the topic of "Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse Offering Lactation Services in Pediatric Practices" at the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing Conference in Peoria, IL
2012 - Lectured on the topic of "Impacting Breastfeeding Duration Beyond The Early Days" at the March of Dimes Conference in Lisle, IL

Carol became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in July 1995. She has a vast experience in providing breastfeeding assistance for common problems and concerns.

Carol began her private practice in November 2000 as a rental station for Medela, Inc. She provides Medela Symphony breastpumps for rental and Pump In Style Advanced breastpumps for purchase, and other pump parts. She is certified in bra fittings and carries Medela nursing bras, including hard to find sizes. Another popular product is the Easy Expressions hands-free bra, especially beneficial for the working moms.

She offers Prenatal Breastfeeding classes at:

Breast'N Baby Lactation Services
Cedar Avenue Business Center
1020 Cedar Ave., Ste. 2E
St. Charles IL, 60174

Carol is available for presentations related to breastfeeding for community groups. Contact her via e-mail at carolibclc@sbcglobal.net or via phone at 630-513-1101.