15.2.5  Counsel the mother

Recommendations on feeding, fluids for the sick child, and when the mother should return with her child to the health post are given on the chart titled Counsel the Mother. If you look at page 42 of your chart booklet you will see that it describes assessing the child’s feeding. For many sick children, you will have to assess feeding and counsel the mother about any feeding problems that you have identified. For all sick children who are going home, you should advise the child’s mother about feeding, fluids she must give the child, and when to return for further care. You should always write the results of any feeding assessment on the bottom of the case recording form. An important aspect of your role as a Health Extension Practitioner is to provide advice to the mother about her own health.

You are now going to look at how to assess and classify for children up to two months old, beginning with essential newborn care.