Socialization to Postpartum Mothers by Providing Exclusive Breast Milk in Bangun Rejo Village in 2024

Abstract

_{Breastfeeding from an early age has a positive impact on both mother and baby. For babies, breast milk has an important role in supporting growth, health and survival because breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies. Breast milk contains white blood cells, proteins and immune substances that are suitable for babies. Breastfeeding behavior in mothers can reduce morbidity and mortality because the breastfeeding process will stimulate uterine contractions thereby reducing postpartum bleeding (Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, 2013). Exclusive breastfeeding is not optimal due to many factors, namely the mother's lack of knowledge about breast milk, working mother, lack of support from family and environment. Another cause is that the role of health workers directly related to childbirth has not fully assisted in the implementation of early initiation of breastfeeding (IMD) and exclusive breastfeeding (Dinkes, 2019). Breast milk is the best food for babies. The breastfeeding program is a priority program, because it has a broad impact on the nutritional status and health of toddlers. The Ministry of Health is targeting an increase in the target of exclusive breastfeeding to 80%. However, exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia is still low. Achievement of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia is only 74.5% (Balitbangkes, 2019). The impact of not giving breast milk is that it contributes to the infant mortality rate due to poor nutritional status which affects the baby's health and the baby's survival. If the baby is not given exclusive breast milk, this will increase the giving of formula milk to the baby. This statement is supported by the results of Siregar's research in 2004 which showed that exclusive breastfeeding was influenced by various factors, including breast milk not coming out immediately after giving birth/lack of milk production, difficulty for the baby to suckle, the condition of the mother's nipples not being supported, the mother working and the influence promotion of breast milk substitutes (Lestari, 2018).}

Key Words: breast milk, exclusive breastfeeding, early initiation of breastfeeding