Support from health professionals and lay counselors make a significant difference in outcomes for the breastfeeding mother and her baby.

In a survey conducted by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (Formerly NMAA), there were five areas of need as defined by mothers’ reports: reassurance (58.6%), feed frequency (26.5%), positioning and attachment (18.1%), looking after yourself (16.3 %) and fatigue/tiredness (15.3%). Peer counseling by skilled, trained women with supportive resources can build confidence as well as help mothers overcome technical difficulties, such as low milk supply.
Grieve, V. and Howarth, T. The counseling needs of women. Breastfeeding review 2000; 8 (2):9-15.