NIA Child Survival Project Community Health Curriculum
Facilitator’s Guide, Module 4, Lesson 1: Immediate Breastfeeding
Teaching Methods
Guided discussion
Use questions like the following to learn what participants already know about the topic:
 Have you heard about the first breast milk?
 Who can describe what it looks like?
 How many of you gave the first milk to your babies?
 What do mothers in your community usually do with this first breast milk?
Short lecture
The first breast milk is called colostrum and comes for the first two to three days. It
does not really look like other milk. It is thick and yellowish in color. There is not much of
it. Because it looks different, has an odd smell and comes in small amounts, many people
think it is no good for the baby and even believe it should be discarded. In fact, the
opposite is true. It is a very precious thing. The first breast milk is rich in nutrients and
antibodies (protection). It is very important for a newborn baby. All new babies should be
breastfed within one hour after delivery. This is the meaning of immediate breastfeeding.
Discussion pairs
Ask the mothers to discuss the following three questions with a partner:
 What are some of the reasons you have heard from mothers and other family
members about why colostrums (the first milk) are not given to the new baby?
 What are some of the benefits you have heard about giving this first breast milk?
 What are some ways you could convince a pregnant woman of the importance of
breastfeeding her infant within the first hour after delivery?
After about 10 minutes, bring everyone back together and have them share what they
discussed question by question. Share these important benefits of immediate
breastfeeding and colostrum:
1. Colostrum is a natural and 100% safe vaccine against some serious illnesses; which
protect the baby until he begins his immunizations
2. Colostrum is low in fat but high in protein and carbohydrates
3. Colostrum is easy to digest and acts as a natural laxative, which helps baby pass his
first stools and prevent jaundice
Learning Objectives:
1. Mothers can explain the meaning of immediate breastfeeding
2. Mothers can describe the benefits of immediate breastfeeding
3. Mothers can discuss barriers and benefits with family members and encourage
other mothers to adopt immediate breastfeeding
4. Immediate breastfeeding helps to stop her bleeding after the woman delivers
5. Immediate breastfeeding often helps the breast milk to come faster so there will
be enough as baby’s appetite grows
6. It helps the mother and her new baby to immediately begin forming a loving bond
NOTE: Be sure to also address (correct) any myths or misinformation that is shared.
Role play – There are four characters (plus a doll baby): a new mother, her husband, her
mother-in-law and a midwife. There are two scenes.
(1) After delivering the baby, the midwife gives him to the new mother and encourages her
to try breastfeeding. She explains that it is important to breastfeed right away. The
mother tries a bit and the midwife leaves, saying she has another visit to make.
(2) After the midwife leaves the mother starts to complain to her family that she is too
tired to breastfeed. She says she wants to sleep and feed the baby later. She says he isn’t
hungry anyway because he isn’t sucking. The family members encourage her to keep
trying and remind her of what the CHF and midwife said about the importance of starting
breastfeeding right away. She tries again and is successful. Everyone is happy.
Debrief
 How did the family help the new mother in the role play?
 Why is it important for family members to encourage a new mother?
 What did you see in the role play about family roles and relationships?
Spiritual integration
After listening to their responses, talk to participants about the role they can play in
helping the men in their lives understand the importance of being involved fathers and
supportive of their wives during and after pregnancy; and, also of their own role as women
in educating and encouraging their sisters, daughters and other women in the family during
and after pregnancy.
You may want to use I Peter 3:7, Titus 2:4 and I Timothy 5:8 to illustrate the biblical
basis for strong and supportive family relationships; and our responsibility to share
knowledge with other family members. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you
live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with
you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers, I Peter 3:7.
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, Titus 2:4.
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he
has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever, I Timothy 5:8.
Assessment: 3-by-3
Ask mothers to work in groups of three and decide on the three most important points
made in the lesson. Also, ask each group to think of three places they could talk about this
issue and three people they would share the information with. After 10 minutes, go around
to each group to hear their three learning points. Ask each group to share their three
places and three people out loud to the rest of the mother-participants.
Teaching materials
 Doll