Ensuring competency for providers of breastfeeding support and care

Overview

This toolkit supports the verification of competencies among providers of evidence-based breastfeeding support and care, including health professionals, community health workers, counsellors and other personnel involved in maternal, newborn and child health services. Developed by the World Health Organization, it responds to the need for ensuring that providers possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to deliver safe, effective, compassionate and evidence-based breastfeeding counselling and support.

The document emphasizes competency-based approaches that focus on demonstrated performance rather than completion of a specified number of training hours. The document explains key concepts related to competence and competencies and outlines performance indicators for breastfeeding support and care across antenatal, perinatal and postnatal settings. It provides practical resources for competency verification, including observation tools, case discussion instruments, knowledge assessment tools and guidance for examiners. The publication also addresses when and how competencies should be assessed, the role of assessors, and considerations for adapting the tools to different country contexts. Its objective is to strengthen the quality of breastfeeding support services and contribute to the implementation of WHO recommendations and the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative.