Psychosocial Support in Breastfeeding Counselling

The Psychosocial support in breastfeeding counselling manual focuses on psychosocial aspects which can be explored once basic Infant and Young Child Feeding support skills are acquired.

This manual is the outcome from the breastfeeding section of a “Gender-sensitive services” training
developed by ACF MHCP department in North Rakhine State – as part of ACF’s efforts to support
gender mainstreaming within its programming.

The training was the first opportunity for psychosocial workers to reflect and practice specific skills
according to their own gender and to the cultural norms associated with the topic covered. The
breastfeeding counselling session took place in NRS office in a separate, confidential room only with
women staff members. This specific setting allowed to explore practical support in detail, without the barriers of what is culturally acceptable to share and do in front of men. Participants’ feedback on this opportunity to learn amongst women was unanimously positive.