LAM: A Postpartum Contraceptive Method for Women Who Breastfeed
Training Module for Health and Family Planning Service Providers
Audience: Health and family planning service providers, program staff from child survival, reproductive health and family planning projects.
Purpose: Train health care personnel and community health workers to provide the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) within their child health, reproductive health, or family planning services.
Content:

Technical

· LAM criteria
· Benefits of child spacing
· Physiology of LAM
· Advantages and disadvantages of LAM
· Optimal breastfeeding practices
· Special situations that can affect breastfeeding
· Differences between LAM, breastfeeding, and amenorrhea

Skills

· Counsel women on:
    · LAM
    · Transitioning to another method
    · Preventing and overcoming breastfeeding difficulties

Methodology: A participatory training approach, geared towards practical responses to problem solving and questions related to difficulties encountered by women using LAM. Includes role-plays, small and large group activities, brainstorming activities, lectures, question and answer sessions, and a practicum.
Structure: The module is divided into two units and a practicum. Unit 1 focuses on basic LAM concepts and Unit 2 on providing LAM services. The practicum is conducted in the community and/or a facility, as appropriate.
Materials: Participant materials include exercises, pre/ost-test tool with answer sheet, and LAM counseling skills checklists. Trainer materials include instructions for learning activities, transparencies, and a training evaluation.
Time: 9 1/2 hours plus a 2-4 hour practicum
Languages: View modules in English, French,and Spanish. Arabic is available upon request.
Applications:

LINKAGES project in Jordan, Madagascar, Ghana, and Nicaragua

Date: Updated March 2004 (English, Spanish) and January 2002 (French)