Pengabdian Masyarakat Tentang Sosialisasi Pentingnya Pemberian Asi Eksklusif

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (breastfeeding) is giving only breast milk without giving liquids or other solid foods except for vitamins, minerals or drugs in the form of drops or syrup until the age of 4-6 months. 1 Various studies have examined the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in terms of reducing infant mortality, reducing infant morbidity, optimizing infant growth, assisting the development of children's intelligence, and helping to extend the gap between pregnancies for mothers. According to Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS) 2021 data, 52.5 percent – ​​or only half of the 2.3 million babies aged less than six months – are receiving exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia, or a decrease of 12 percent from the 2019 rate. The rate of initiation of breastfeeding (IMD) also decreased from 58.2 percent in 2019 to 48.6 percent in 2021. North Sumatra Province itself is still in the third lowest ranking in the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding with an achievement of 57.17% after Gorontalo Province 52.7% and Central Kalimantan 55.78%. The low coverage of exclusive breastfeeding shows the importance of providing counseling to increase mother's knowledge and exclusive breastfeeding. Extension activities were carried out in Pantai Cermin Kiri Village, Deli Serdang Regency.