Table 5 Levels of training provided to health and community staff
Level | Length | Target audience | Topics covered |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Half a day | Staff not expected to have in-depth conversations with women/families (e.g. reception, kitchen, buildings, admin). | Providing a welcoming breastfeeding environment; the benefits of breastfeeding (health and emotional); the WHO code; signposting to services/groups. |
2 | 1 day | Staff who have in-depth conversation with women and families (but not directly in relation to infant feeding support) (e.g. Children’s Centre staff, health care assistants). | Level 1 training + how to have a mother-centred conversation; building/the importance of close and loving mother-infant relationships); responsive feeding; safe preparation of bottle feeds; co-sleeping practices; returning to work; and introduction of solid foods. |
3 | 2 days | Health and community staff who provide infant feeding support (i.e. peer supporters, midwives, health visitors). For the volunteer peer supporters - the 2-day course was delivered over 6-weeks, 2-h/week. | Level 1, 2 + positioning and attachment; hand expression; when to refer for more specialist support; signs of successful breastfeeding; how to store breast-milk; feeding cues; support to other family members. |