Provider of breastfeeding counselling

• 1.What works best in terms of staff allocation will vary considerably, depending on the context and national health-care system. At country level, it is important to have a system that enables, where necessary, continuity of care and integration of lay and peer counsellors with non-lay counsellors. Continuity of care is best brought about within a system of collaboration and communication between all providers.
• 2.For breastfeeding counselling to be effective, a good training and mentoring programme, for both lay and non-lay counsellors, will be an essential first step. Careful planning and leadership will be important for those responsible for developing the skills, knowledge and confidence of counsellors in enabling mothers to achieve their goals for breastfeeding.
• 3.A systems-based approach within the health-care system and at community level, with cascade training and support or supervision, may be a constructive way forward, with clearly defined skills, training and supervision for different levels of counsellors, and referral systems. Lactation consultants and other highly trained breastfeeding counsellors can play useful roles in training and supervision.