WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Training Manual
The new California WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training Manual "Mothers Helping Mothers" is now available to download. This manual was designed specifically to train peer counselors to provide breastfeeding support to WIC participants. Some agencies in California are using the manual to train their entire WIC staff, not just their peer counselors!
Highlights of the Manual:
- Learner-centered activities including: facilitated discussions, small group discussions, role plays, hands-on activities
- Provides many opportunities to build counseling skills
- Approximately five four-hour sessions: Includes a Power Point presentation to enhance learning
- Based on the latest scientific information
- Pilot tested
- Reviewed by numerous International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC)
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Erickson at Karen.Erickson@cdph.ca.gov or by phone at
(916) 928-8568.
Comments and Reviews
There was so much energy in the room! We would highly recommend to other agencies that they include their entire WIC staff in the peer counselor training. The training is excellent and it is a great way to build a foundation for breastfeeding support among the entire WIC staff. Our challenge will be to keep up the momentum, which this training has generated!
Mary Woelfel, MPH, CLE Breastfeeding Program Manager Delta Health Care WIC California.
Facilitators Guide
Power Point Trainers Tool
Manual Table of Contents
Topic 1 Housekeeping and Introductions
Topic 2 Session Expectations and Discussion Guidelines
Topic 3 Overview of Peer Counselor Program
Topic 4 Overview of Training
Topic 5 Anatomy of the Breast
Topic 6 Milk Production
Topic 7 Best Start 3-Step Counseling Strategy
Topic 8 Closing Activity and Preview
Topic 1 Welcome Back
Topic 2 Formula and Its Disadvantages
Topic 3 Recognizing When to Feed Baby
Topic 4 Getting Breastfeeding Off to a Good Start
Topic 5 Signs that Breastfeeding is Going Well
Topic 6 Guest Speaker
Topic 7 Closing Activity and Preview
Topic 1 Welcome Back
Topic 2 Early Breastfeeding Problems
Topic 3 Medications and Herbal Remedies
Topic 4 Birth Control Methods
Topic 5 Unhealthy Environments
Topic 6 Closing Activity and Preview
Topic 1 Welcome Back
Topic 2 Helping Mothers with Special Challenges
Topic 3 Helping a Grieving Mother
Topic 4 Expressing Milk
Topic 5 Weaning
Topic 6 Cultural Awareness
Topic 7 Closing Activity and Preview
Topic 1 Welcome Back
Topic 2 Challenges to Breastfeeding
Topic 3 Referral to a Lactation Specialist or Health Care Provider
Topic 4 Documentation and Confidentiality
Topic 5 Telephone Manners
Topic 6 Topics to Cover When Talking to Mothers
Topic 7 Practice Counseling
Topic 8 Next Step and Feedback
Topic 9 Closing Activity and Celebration
Appendix