Hi, my name is Debbie Dixon. I am based in Dubbo in the Central West region of New South Wales in Australia.
I am the mother of 3 sons, now ranging in age from 14 to 29 years, who were all breastfed.
I am currently listed as a health practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a non-practising Registered Nurse. I am a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Massage Therapist and Infant Massage Instructor.
My focus group is on regional, rural and remote communities in the Central West region providing services specific to mothers, babies and their families.
I commenced training in 1980 to become a Registered Nurse at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney.
This was followed by a variety of post-graduate employments in public and private hospitals and specialty clinics around the inner suburban Sydney areas.
I completed a post-graduate certificate in Operating Room Nursing and worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Perioperative Nursing at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney.
During my older children's early years in the 1990s, I became a member of the Nursing Mothers' Association and local group volunteer (now known as the Australian Breastfeeding Association) for the Wallerawang/Lithgow Groups, west of the Blue Mountains. Following a relocation to Dubbo, I was involved with voluntary group work with the Dubbo/Wellington Groups.
Around this time, I began developing an interest in natural therapies, obtaining a Diploma in Remedial Massage and Aromatherapy.
My increasing focus on the care of mothers and babies further led to a completion of certificates in pregnancy and postnatal massage therapy.
After my last child was born in 2006, I re-joined the Australian Breastfeeding Association (previously the Nursing Mothers' Association), and became an active volunteer, for the Dubbo/Narromine Group, qualifying as an Association Breastfeeding Counsellor in 2008 and filling the role of local Group Leader for a time.
I decided to deepen my breastfeeding knowledge and gain clinical expertise in lactation and breastfeeding on another level by completing a Graduate Certificate in Professional Lactation Consultancy, gaining the IBCLC credential in 2011, and recertifying as an IBCLC in 2016 for a further 5 years.
As a lactation consultant in private practice, I offer antenatal breastfeeding classes in a small group or private setting and postnatal lactation consultations, including assessments of tongue and lip ties.
I currently stock a supply of hospital grade electric breast pumps for hire or purchase.
I qualified as a Remedial Massage Therapist in 2002 and gained further certificates in pregnancy and postnatal massage therapy in 2005 and 2006.
I qualified as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and Paediatric Massage Consultant in 2013 and run group or private baby massage classes, popular for mothers' groups and playgroups. I am also able to offer presentations to health care professionals on infant massage.
As a professional, I have observed today's health care professionals facing increased pressures to provide an optimal health care service that meets with current best practice standards.
My aim is to liaise with and provide current information, resources and education to health care professionals within the hospital and community health services in the form of breastfeeding inservices and clinical support as needed, thus facilitating and strengthening their care and support role.
As a mother, I can well appreciate the emotional swings, dilemmas and sheer hard work faced by families caring for young children.
I am fully aware of parents' needs for up-to-date knowledge, ready access to experienced health care practitioners and a solid, reliable and non-judgmental support network to call upon particularly during challenging times.
As I work in private practice, I am able to deliver these services flexibly by travelling out to my clients (families or health care professionals) within their own towns or work settings at mutually agreed and convenient times.
A unique customisable experience is of particular value within a rural locality where specialised resources are limited and/or difficult to access.
Qualifications
Debra Dixon IBCLC CIMI
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Certified Infant Massage Instructor
RN (non-prac)
Registered Nurse (non-practising)
Remedial Massage Therapist
Certificate IV in Remedial Massage
Additional certificates in Pregnancy & Postnatal Massage Therapy