Jakarta - The pandemic, its impact, and the fight against COVID-19 have dominated almost all forms of electronic, print, and social media coverage. However, on the other side, there's another crucial reality that cannot be overlooked, which is the concern for the birth of new generations in Indonesia. Every second, there are expecting mothers and deliveries, requiring education and solutions to assist expectant and breastfeeding mothers, especially during this pandemic.

PT. Mecosin Indonesia, as a pioneer in herbal supplements promoting breastfeeding in Indonesia, seeks to support expecting and breastfeeding mothers during the pandemic by conducting an online webinar called 'Breastfeeding Success' on February 10, 2021. The first session of the webinar, conducted live via the Zoom Meeting app, focused on the role of midwives in 'Reducing Stunting Risks Through Breastfeeding.' The speakers appointed to equip the midwives were Dr. Ade Jubaedah, SSiT, MM, MKM (Secretary General of the Central Board of IBI), Dr. Boy Abidin, Sp.OG (Obstetrics and Gynecology doctor and health program host on television), and Mariza Andika Ambarsari (Product Manager at PT. Mecosin Indonesia). The session was exclusively attended by midwives from all over Indonesia who had previously registered through representatives of the IBI (Indonesian Midwives Association). Meanwhile, the second session was open to the public.

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Midwives Must Ensure Mothers Embrace Breastfeeding Despite Busy Schedules

Dr. Ade Jubaedah, SSiT, MM, MKM, at the beginning of her session, highlighted the fundamental aspects of the midwifery profession as healthcare providers sworn to serve and care for the lives of women in Indonesia. Ade, also a lecturer at several universities, emphasized the crucial role of midwives as the frontline in childbirth, particularly in preventing stunting during the first 1000 days of a child's life.

In the middle of the session, one of the best questions from a participating midwife was selected, asking about how midwives could convince today's mothers to continue breastfeeding amid their busy lives.

"The main reason for mothers' failure in breastfeeding is not the lack of breast milk but the lack of support from their surroundings. Midwives need to remind mothers that only breast milk is required for the baby until they strive for 6 months. As midwives sworn to care for the lives of women in Indonesia, the first thing to do is to provide heartfelt attention," Ade explained.

During the 0-9 months of pregnancy, midwives must emphasize the importance of nutrition consumed by expectant mothers as they eat and drink for the fetus in their womb. Additionally, during childbirth, midwives need to encourage Immediate Breastfeeding Initiation (IBI) within the first hour of birth or the first golden hour. While supporting mothers with babies aged 0-11 months, midwives should remind them to provide exclusive breastfeeding until the baby reaches 12-24 months (toddler), stressing the significance of nutrition for the child. This education is crucial for mothers to comprehend as it is essential for improving the condition of future generations.

The second session of the 'Breastfeeding Success' webinar, titled 'Factors Affecting Smooth Breast Milk Production,' was broadcast live through Instagram, allowing mothers across Indonesia to participate freely. The speaker for the second session was a doctor well-known among Indonesian mothers for frequently appearing as a health program host on television, Dr. Boy Abidin, Sp.OG. The audience, including netizens, eagerly engaged in asking questions to Dr. Boy Abidin.

Can Moms Confirmed with COVID-19 Still Breastfeed During the Pandemic?

"Yes, mothers should ideally continue breastfeeding their babies during the pandemic because breast milk is indeed the best and essential food for infants. However, there are a few things to consider if a mother is confirmed positive. If the mother is diagnosed as an Asymptomatic Carrier (OTG) or has mild symptoms, she can still breastfeed the baby directly but should be disciplined in wearing a mask and washing her hands. Conversely, if the mother has moderate or severe symptoms, she can express breast milk first. Then, another family member can feed the expressed milk to the baby," explained Dr. Boy in response to a question from one of the mothers.

There has been no scientific evidence found regarding the presence of the COVID-19 virus in breast milk. Mothers can continue breastfeeding while following the 3M protocols and wearing a mask when nursing their child. Breast milk alone is sufficient for infants aged 0-6 months, so mothers need not worry about the baby's nutritional needs. Dr. Boy emphasized this point while answering a participant's question during the LANCAR ASI webinar.

He also advised mothers planning to have a child, currently pregnant, or recently gave birth to prioritize Exclusive Breastfeeding. This means providing only breast milk to the baby for the first 6 months, then introducing complementary foods after the baby reaches 6 months, and continuing until the child is 2 years old.

For addressing breastfeeding issues, Dr. Boy recommended several points that breastfeeding mothers can consider.

1. Enhance breastfeeding frequency
2. Create a comfortable environment during breastfeeding
3. Regularly express breast milk to stimulate increased production
4. Pay attention to the baby's attachment during breastfeeding (latch on)
5. Breastfeed from both breasts
6. Ensure adequate nutritional intake
7. Consume foods known to enhance breast milk production
8. Massage breasts to stimulate milk production
9. Take lactation-boosting supplements, and
10. Drink traditional herbal concoctions to increase milk production

Meanwhile, in the special session attended by approximately 500 midwives from across Indonesia, the topic discussed was 'Reducing the Risk of Stunting Through Breastfeeding,' featuring speakers Dr. Ade Jubaedah, SSiT, MM, MKM, who serves as the Secretary-General of the Central Board of the Indonesian Midwives Association (Ikatan Bidan Indonesia). Both Ade and Dr. Boy Abidin addressed questions from the attending midwives during the live 'Smooth Breastfeeding Webinar' conducted via Zoom Meeting, utilizing understandable language for practical application in their daily practice.

If Short Parents Have a Short Child, Is it Due to Stunting or Genetics?

"Mothers, stunting is a condition of inadequate growth in toddlers due to chronic malnutrition, especially during the first 1000 days of life. Stunting is indeed characterized by a short stature, increased susceptibility to diseases, below-average intelligence, and reduced productivity. However, being short does not imply that a child will also be short if their parents are short because short stature is not necessarily genetic. If a child receives good nutrition and a balanced diet, they can grow optimally," explained Dr. Boy Abidin.

The active health advocate, who shares health tips and knowledge through his social media accounts and personal YouTube channel, further emphasized that preventing stunting can be achieved by providing exclusive breastfeeding. Giving only breast milk for the first 6 months and continuing breastfeeding along with complementary feeding until the child reaches 2 years old can help prevent stunting.

Exclusive from Dr. Boy Abidin, Sp.OG.:

"The LANCAR ASI Webinar: Engaging, Essential, and Highly Beneficial"

"It's engaging because the topic about stunting and breastfeeding is often questioned, focusing on how to prevent stunting by providing exclusive breastfeeding. Stunting is a long-term investment that needs to be prepared for from the start. Meanwhile, breastfeeding always needs to remind mothers planning to have children or those who are pregnant to provide exclusive breastfeeding as the best food for babies. Providing breast milk is very beneficial for the baby, mother, family, and the environment. It's essential as it provides information and education, especially concerning the varying breast milk production in each mother, ranging from none to excess milk. For mothers who cannot produce breast milk or have a low supply, several efforts are needed to increase production. One of them is by using supplements containing lactagogues, as detailed in the previous session. It's beneficial because the concept of the LANCAR ASI Webinar can provide additional insights, with discussions from two perspectives that synergize—midwives and mothers—working together for mutual benefit," expressed Dr. Boy Arifin, sharing his opinion on the LANCAR ASI Webinar held that day.

The obstetrician-gynecologist, who practices at a private hospital in the Kelapa Gading area, further explained that breastfeeding is a process and not immediate. Breast milk production starts after the placenta detaches, then stimulation occurs in the brain to trigger the hormone prolactin, followed by the release of oxytocin, allowing the breast milk to flow and be suckled by the baby. For this process to happen, support or assistance is needed, including health, nutritional factors, the environment, emotional factors, and the mother's belief in producing breast milk effectively. If all these factors are optimized, but the mother still faces challenges in the quantity of breast milk production, supplements might be necessary. All of these actions need to happen simultaneously and harmoniously."