**5.6 Implementing breastfeeding support**

WHO has provided guidance on 'Counseling women to improve breastfeeding practice', which was compiled based on a systematic literature review and developed by a group of international experts. The policy expands on prior recommendations from the 'Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding' and increases the strength of the recommendation for breastfeeding counseling. It provides evidence-based breastfeeding counseling suggestions: (1) Every pregnant woman and mother with newborns or young children should get breastfeeding counseling. (2) Breastfeeding counseling should be provided during both the antenatal and postnatal periods, for a duration of up to 24 months or longer. (3) Breastfeeding counseling should be offered at least six times and as required. (4) Face-to-face breastfeeding counseling should be provided. Breastfeeding counseling may also be delivered over the phone or through other remote ways of counseling. (5) Breastfeeding counseling should be offered as part of a continuum of care by suitably qualified healthcare professionals as well as community-based lay and peer breastfeeding counselors. and (6) Breastfeeding counseling should anticipate and overcome major breastfeeding issues and situations, as well as help the mothers to develop skills, competencies and confidence. By implementing breastfeeding counseling optimally for mothers and families, it is hoped that it can increase the understanding of mothers and families and increase the self-efficacy of mothers to breastfeed their babies [52].
