Meet the team
Bursledon Breastfeeding Babes is run entirely by volunteers.
Debbie Hampton
Debbie is an ABM Mother Supporter and a trainee Breastfeeding Counsellor. She is Mum to Bethany who was born in October 2005, and Finlay who was born in August 2007. She is expecting baby number three in May 2010. She breastfed Bethany until she self-weaned at 16.5 months of age and Finlay until he self-weaned at 17.5 months of age.
Debbie says, ‘I believe passionately in the benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and their babies and am keen to ensure that no mother who wants to breastfeed should have to stop due to misinformation or inappropriate advice. Breastfeeding gives your baby the best start in life and is a lovely way to bond with your child. Our aim is to enable mothers to feed their babies for as long as they wish to and to support them through each stage of their breastfeeding journey.’
Dominique Mylod
Dominique is a midwife with the Weston team and Mum to Francesca who was born in December 1998. She breastfed her daughter until she self-weaned after blowing out her 1st birthday candle!
Dominique says, ‘Not knowing one end of a baby from the other, I shed many perplexed tears down a few helplines whilst feeding my daughter! Breastfeeding is of course, the norm for infant feeding and I feel passionately that families should be welcomed, supported and have access to evidence based, sensible information - I can’t say it was my own experience, but I have been working very hard ever since to improve matters. It is such a pleasure to support the group and meet the families who come along for a chat, to get information and drop in to feed their babies in a friendly and supportive environment. We are always happy to offer advice and support – if we don’t know the answer, we’ll go and find it!’
Caroline Jerrim
Caroline is an ABM Mother Supporter and a trainee Breastfeeding Counsellor. She is Mum to Emily who was born in July 2006 and Gabriel who was born in August 2008. She breastfed Emily for 9 months and Gabriel until he self-weaned at 17 months of age.
Caroline says ‘After struggling to breastfeed Emily in the early days I wish there had been some local support, the fact that this has now been granted is fantastic. I firmly believe that all parents should have information available to them of the benefits of breastfeeding not only for their baby but for themselves and society as a whole. I am so proud to be a part of Bursledon Breastfeeding Babes, we aim to support mothers throughout their breastfeeding journey and want that to be a positive experience for both mum and baby.’
Bethany Reynolds
Bethany has recently qualified as an ABM Mother Supporter. She is hoping to also undertake Breastfeeding Counsellor training in the future. She became Mum to Tobias in March 09, whom she is still currently breastfeeding.
Bethany says, ‘The key to successful breastfeeding is correct information and support, we as a team aim to offer both. Breastfeeding has supported my relationship with my son and I love breastfeeding because I know I’m giving my son the best start in life. We offer support to mothers so that they too can continue to breastfeed as long as they want to. Breastfeeding is not always easy, but we are here to make it easier.’