GuidelinesIMCI
Communication Skills
IMCI - Counsel the Mother or Caregiver on Infant and Young Child Feeding
Communication skills
- Be respectful and understanding
- Listen to the family’s concerns and encourage them to ask questions and express their emotions
- Use simple and clear language
- Ensure that the family understands any instructions and give them written information
- If a baby needs to be referred, explain the reason for the referral and how the baby will be referred
- Respect the family’s right to privacy and confidentiality
- Respect the family’s cultural beliefs and customs, and accommodate the family’s needs as much as possible
- Remember that health care providers may feel anger, guilt, sorrow, pain and frustration
- Obtain informed consent before doing any procedures
Listening and Learning skills
- Use helpful non-verbal behaviour
- Ask open-ended questions
- Use responses and gestures that show interest
- Reflect back what the caregiver says
- Avoid judging words
Confidence Building skills
- Accept what the caregiver says, how she thinks and feels
- Recognise and praise what the caregiver is doing right
- Give practical help
- Give relevant information according to the caregiver’s needs and check her understanding
- Use simple language
- Make suggestions rather than giving commands
- Reach an agreement with the caregiver about the way forward
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Integrated Management of Childhood Illness 2022; Counsel the Mother or Caregiver on Infant and Young Child Feeding (Birth up to 2 months); Communication Skills
Last checked for updates: June 2023