Session 14

Step 10

On-Going Support for

Mothers
Session Objectives:
1. Describe how to prepare a mother for
discharge;
2. Discuss availability of follow-up and support
after discharge;
3. Outline ways of protecting breastfeeding for
employed women;
4. Discuss sustaining breastfeeding for the
second year or longer;
5. Discuss group support for breastfeeding.
 Step 10
Foster the establishment of BF support
groups and refer mothers to them on
discharge from the hospital or clinic

Health facility
initiate and establish BF or safer
feeding when necessary
assure BF support upon discharge
 Before mother leaves the health facility, she
should :
1. Be able to feed her baby.
2. Understand the importance of exclusive
breastfeeding for 6 months and continued BF
after the introduction of complementary foods
to two years and beyond.
3. Be able to recognize that feeding is going well.
4. Find out how to get the on-going support that
she needs.

cont
Before mother leaves the health facility, she
should :

5. Understand the importance of

exclusive breastfeeding for 6
months and continued BF after
the introduction of
complementary foods to two
years and beyond.
cont
Before mother leaves the health facility, she
should :

6. Be able to recognize that

feeding is going well.

cont
Before mother leaves the health facility, she
should :

7. Find out how to get

the on-going support
that she needs.
Follow up and support after discharge

Resources available in the local community :

Family and friends

Primary and community
health workers
Mother to mother
support groups

cont
Mother to mother support groups:
Usually in her community
One on one or group based
Help is accessible and free or very
inexpensive
Experienced mothers who lead have been
trained to give support
Feeding and caring is seen as normal
activities
 Developing a mother to mother
support group
They need a warm-hearted and kind facilitator
Identify facilitator
Provide accurate information and help
Encourage the group to meet
Introduce mothers to nearest facilitators
Be available to the facilitators
Include them in trainings
When formal support is not available:

Discuss what family support she has at home

Talk with family members
Give contact person in the facility
Follow up 2-3 days after discharge
Remind key points of optimal feeding
Give written materials
If possible, you contact mothers
 Baby Friendly communities
- A health facility or local health care system
that actively supports early and exclusive BF
- Ten Steps to a successful breastfeeding
- Mother-to mother support in place
- Compliance to Milk Code is practiced
- Local or civil society creates activities that
supports optimal breastfeeding practices
Protecting BF in employed women
For the mother: For employer:
Less illness for baby Less absences from work -
Ease of nite feeds Children healthy
Bonding Mom can concentrate on her work
Chance to rest Retains skilled workers
Special relationship Interested in working for
with baby supportive employers
Breastfed babies grow up to be a
health future workforce
Discuss with mother who is preparing to
return to work
Could baby go with her?
Could baby be cared for near her
workplace?
Could she work for shorter hours till
baby is older?
If not...

cont
If not...
BF exclusively and frequently during maternity
leave.
Bf when mother is around.
Do not start other feeds before needed.
Learn to express milk.
express every 3 hrs at work.
Cares to give EBM by cup.
Contact & get support from other working
mothers.
EBM expressed breast milk
 Sustaining continued BF for 2 yrs or
longer
BF cont to provide closeness to mother, protection
from illness , good nutrition.

BF a older baby/young child is valuable if the child is

ill.

BF is soothing to child in pain or upset.

BF older baby is different from BF a newborn.

Young children BF only 1-2x; when upset.

 Complementary Feeding
After 6 months, breastfeeding baby needs
additional foods to complement it.
Breastmilk is the main part of a babys diet
until he eats a variety of food.
BF before giving complementary foods.
A child stops breastfeeding when they are
ready as a natural part of their development.
Other national health programs for
mother and child
Safe motherhood programmes
IMCI
EPI
Micronutrient supplementation program
for iron and vit A
Neonatal screening program
Early Child Development program
Family planning program