UP develops India's first facility-based lactation management training module
Uttar Pradesh: Facility-Based Lactation Management (FLBM) training module has been developed in Uttar Pradesh for the first time in the country, aimed at strengthening breastfeeding support in hospitals and reducing dependence on formula feeding.
Facility-Based Lactation Management (FLBM) involves healthcare systems supporting mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding, particularly for preterm or sick newborns admitted to NICUs. It relies on structured frameworks such as the UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative to provide 24/7 counselling, safe milk-expression spaces, and donor human milk banks.
According to TOI, the module was written by experts from leading medical institutions, including Prof SN Singh (KGMU), Prof Shalini Tripathi (KGMU), Prof Anita Singh (SGPGI) and Prof Prathima Anand (Lady Hardinge Medical College). It will train healthcare workers, nurses and doctors to deal with breastfeeding problems and counsel breastfeeding mothers in order to facilitate timely initiation of breastfeeding after delivery.
On 3rd July, 2026, Amit Kumar Ghosh, Additional Chief Secretary, launched the module at a state-level Training of Trainers (ToT) programme conducted by the Directorate of Family Welfare under the National Health Mission in collaboration with UNICEF and King George's Medical University (KGMU).
“The initiative focuses on ensuring that low-birth-weight, preterm and sick newborns receive their mother's milk at the earliest, minimising the use of formula feeding”, Professor Shalini said.
Due to certain inescapable circumstances, the preterm, low birth weight and sick babies admitted at health facilities are devoid of mother’s milk. There is a need to provide a continuous supply of safe breast milk to all babies admitted at health facilities for improved survival and wellbeing.
Facility-based lactation management, through the establishment of Comprehensive Lactation Management Centre and Lactation Management Units, aims to universalise the availability of breast milk to all babies, in addition to the efforts to promote natural breastfeeding by mothers, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
