A Community of Care: Transforming Breastfeeding Support in Malaysia
In conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week, we spotlight a grassroots movement that has grown into a national force of change: the Malaysian Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor Association (MBfPCA).
From Grassroots Beginnings to National Impact
The Malaysian Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor Association (MBfPCA) began in 2010 as a humble, yet ambitious initiative known as the Malaysian Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor Training Program. Sparked by a group of passionate advocates including lactation consultants, healthcare professionals, and community leaders, the program emerged in response to the low breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates reported in the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2005.
Recognizing critical gaps in postnatal care and support, particularly at the community level, the founders designed a peer-led model to train and equip women to become breastfeeding peer counsellors (PCs). Their goal was to ensure mothers had continuous, accessible, and culturally sensitive support beyond hospital discharge.
In 2012, the initiative was formalized into a registered NGO. Since then, MBfPCA has become a recognized force in Malaysia’s maternal and child health ecosystem.
What Is a Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor?
Breastfeeding peer counsellors are trained volunteers who offer mothers compassionate, evidence-based breastfeeding support from one mother to another. They are the first responders in the breastfeeding support chain, helping mothers:
Navigate common breastfeeding challenges.
Receive emotional and practical support in their own language and context.
Connect with lactation consultants or healthcare professionals when needed.
Over the last 15 years, MBfPCA has trained over 600 peer counsellors from all walks of life, many of whom have gone on to lead community groups, advise workplaces, or become certified lactation professionals.
Building a Movement: MBfPCA’s Training Model
MBfPCA’s training follows WHO/UNICEF-recommended frameworks, drawing on the "10th Step" approach to breastfeeding support. The initial modules, adapted from La Leche League International (LLLI), were developed with support from WABA and UNICEF. Training includes:
Fundamentals of lactation science and milk production
Proper positioning and latch techniques
Communication, empathy, and active listening
Cultural sensitivity and ethical frameworks
Training is experiential and community-based, using role plays, real-life scenarios, reflection, and community mapping to help PCs not just learn, but embody the values of peer-to-peer support.
A Network Rooted in Partnership
MBfPCA thrives on cross-sectoral collaboration. It works closely with the Ministry of Health Malaysia on initiatives such as "The First 1000 Days of Life," and partners with public hospitals, universities, and NGOs. Internationally, MBfPCA connects with WABA, IBFAN Southeast Asia, and ILCA, contributing to regional and global dialogues on breastfeeding and maternal health.
This ability to work across disciplines allows MBfPCA to bridge clinical care and community realities, filling the often-overlooked gap in postnatal support.
Measurable Impact, Real Stories
Peer counselling has a proven impact. Numerous studies globally and in Malaysia show that peer support:
Improve exclusive breastfeeding rates
Increases maternal confidence and mental health
Reduces reliance on infant formula
In many underserved areas, MBfPCA-trained PCs are the only accessible source of breastfeeding support. Through home visits, hotlines, social media, and local clinics, these women are changing lives in real-time.
One mother shared: "I had no one to talk to when I struggled with breastfeeding. My peer counsellor gave me confidence, held space for my tears, and helped me keep going."
Vision 2025: Strengthening Malaysia’s Breastfeeding Ecosystem
MBfPCA’s tagline is clear: Empowering Breastfeeding Communities. Looking ahead, the Association is focused on three strategic pillars:
Strengthening Breastfeeding Protection
MBfPCA is advocating for:
Stronger enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
Legal protection for breastfeeding in workplaces and public spaces
Policy reforms embedding breastfeeding into national health strategies
Expanding to Underserved Areas
Most peer counsellors today are based in urban or accessible regions. MBfPCA aims to reach:
Rural and remote districts
Urban poor and low-income flats
Marginalized communities, including refugees and indigenous populations
Through localized training and outreach, the organization hopes to close access gaps and build breastfeeding equity.
Elevating Community-Based Support
By upskilling volunteers and recognizing peer counsellors as part of the broader healthcare ecosystem, MBfPCA is ensuring that support doesn’t stop at clinic doors.
MBfPCA stands out not only for its grassroots foundation but for its unwavering commitment to mother-led solutions. Its core belief: "When one woman is empowered to support another, the impact can ripple through generations."
With dedicated leadership, transparent ethics, and a deep-rooted understanding of Malaysia’s socio-cultural dynamics, MBfPCA is leading the way in reimagining breastfeeding support in the country.
Whether advising a single mother struggling with latch, or speaking at global forums on breastfeeding rights, MBfPCA’s voice is one of both compassion and conviction.
Breastfeeding as a Right, Not a Privilege
As we mark World Breastfeeding Week, MBfPCA reminds us that breastfeeding support is not a luxury, it’s a public health priority. When support is localized, culturally relevant, and community-led, breastfeeding becomes more sustainable, and maternal health outcomes improve.
