...to exclusively breastfeed (their babies), mothers really need support from the people around them.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the breastfeeding task force of the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI), Dr. Naomi Esthernita F. Dewanto, on Saturday called for joint efforts to support exclusive breastfeeding for babies.

"Joint responsibility for the low breastfeeding rate is still lacking; we usually just throw the responsibility only to the mother. Whereas, to exclusively breastfeed (their babies), mothers really need support from the people around them," she said during a virtual seminar held as part of the World Breastfeeding Week, which was followed from here on Saturday.

Therefore, for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, a campaign to encourage the establishment of a "warm chain" is being implemented, she informed. The term "warm chain" refers to all elements of society joining hands to form a chain to support breastfeeding mothers, she added.

According to Dewanto, support to encourage breastfeeding requires the involvement of various stakeholders—from doctors, counselors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and media, to family members.

"This counseling, education, breastfeeding support with good lactation management can increase exclusive breastfeeding by up to 50 percent," she highlighted.

As part of the "warm chain,” counseling can also be provided before and after labor, an effective maternity leave policy can be implemented, and interventions can be made to support exclusive breastfeeding.

"Breastfeeding, especially in the first six months, is essential because, not only does it play a role in preventing stunting, it also provides antibody protection as the first immunization received by babies," she explained.

Meanwhile, general chairperson of the IDAI’s central committee, Dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, also highlighted the importance of family support for breastfeeding mothers, including when breast milk does not flow smoothly for some time post-partum.

Yanuarso also urged health workers to make exclusive breastfeeding a priority.

Related news: Breastfeeding is first immunization for babies: Pediatric Society
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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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