Counsel the mother

The IMNCI strategy includes working with families to help them understand how to prevent disease and illness. The strategy also involves helping the mother and family to provide effective home care and treatment for a sick young infant or child. You've read about the importance of good communication skills and how to teach the mother to give oral drugs and to treat infections at home. You have also learned about how to advise the mother on feeding her sick young infant or child, such as increasing fluid and food for the child during illness. Advising the mother or caregiver when to return to the health facility is also important, so you are able to monitor a child's progress.