title: The mothers' support group role in the health care system.
abstract: Women have a need for one-to-one information and support from the health care system about breastfeeding and often they do not get it. Many experienced breastfeeding mothers have formed mothers' support groups to fill that need. As a necessity these groups train their members and ensure they are updated with scientific and other knowledge related to infant health and breastfeeding. In many places, these voluntary groups are working within health care systems and have proved an invaluable adjunct to the professional staff. They should have a role worldwide in counseling new mothers within health care, training health workers and mothers to be leaders and counselors, and helping in planning breastfeeding material and conferences.
authors.affiliation: UNICEF, New York, NY 10017.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kyenkya-Isabirye
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Magalheas
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support