Nicole Bando
Dietitian & Lactation Consultant
B.Nutr.Diet., AdvAPD, IBCLC, Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Education (Counselling), Certificate of Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics
Nicole is an Advanced APD and Lactation Consultant, with a special interest in early life feeding and evidence-based, sustainable nutrition to support optimal growth and healthy families. Nicole has extensive community and national level advocacy experience, frequently commenting in the media (TV, radio, and print), and as a regular presenter to medical and allied health colleagues. As Convenor of the Dietitians Australia Paediatric and Maternal Health Interest Group and Co-Convenor of the Nutrition & Breastfeeding Working Group and member of the Infant and Toddler Foods Research Alliance, Nicole advocates for policy implementation that protects and promotes breastfeeding, to support maternal and infant health. She mentors emerging dietitians and has worked with schools, childcare centres, and kindergartens to improve their menus & nutrition policy. Outside of work, you will find Nicole running or spending time with her partner & two children.
Nicole’s areas of expertise include breastfeeding, mixed (breast and bottle) feeding, transition to solids, toddler and young child nutrition, family and women’s nutrition, poor growth (underweight and overweight), breastfeeding a baby with food allergies and intolerances, nutrition for mum whilst breastfeeding.
Nicole worked as a clinical dietitian at The Alfred Hospital for 15 years and has a wealth of acute clinical experience across many areas; most recently in critical care. After having her two children, she qualified as a Breastfeeding Counsellor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association, and continues to support women on the National Breastfeeding Helpline. Desire to know more led her to qualify as a Lactation Consultant and complete paediatric nutrition training. Her interests include the following.
Infants to Early Adolescence Health:
- Growth and breast/mixed feeding
- Fussy eating
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Progression onto solids
- Obesity
- Gastrointestinal issues (e.g. low FODMAP diets)
- Vegetarian and vegan diets.
Breast Feeding Concerns:
- Antenatal breastfeeding education
- Sore nipples/breasts,
- Low and over supply
- Positioning and attachment
- Mastitis, thrush, vasospasm, white spot
- Breast refusal, fussy babies, sleep and settling.
Women’s Nutrition for:
- Fertility
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Hormonal changes (e.g. PCOS, endometriosis and menopause), gestational diabetes, weight management and gastrointestinal issues (e.g. low FODMAP diets).
Nicole understands the challenges involved with feeding a growing family, in a busy world of often conflicting nutrition information. Nicole’s approach is holistic and evidence-based, with a strong focus on sustainable nutrition and feeding advice to support optimal health and growth which can be integrated into a family’s lifestyle, to nurture them throughout the spectrum of life, always with warmth and empathy.