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| UMM Students Share Education on the Importance of Optimal Nutrition During the First 1,000 Days of a Baby's Life with Mothers (Photo : Special) |
A bright and promising future for their child is the dream of every couple, especially for a mother. This is closely related to the golden period of a baby's growth and development, which is during the first 1,000 days of life. In light of this, students from the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) shared education on the importance of optimal nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a baby's life with mothers in Sempu Hamlet, Dau District, Malang Regency, on July 28.
This outreach activity was part of a series of Community Service Programs by Students (PMM) Group 64, Wave 2. Interestingly, before the outreach event, there was a posyandu program and health check-ups, which were positively received by the mothers. The participants’ enthusiasm was also evident with the presence of toddlers during the event. The outreach highlighted the secrets to optimal nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a baby's life.
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Maria Noveareza Hadrun, the presenter, emphasized that the fulfillment of nutrition, affection, and stimulation for the baby is crucial during the first 1,000 days. The nutritional phase begins from the mother's pregnancy. At this step, good nutritional status is required to avoid negative impacts on the fetus in the womb. Important nutrients that need attention include folate, calcium, vitamin D, protein, and iron
“We need to pay attention together, that the 1,000 days include 270 days of pregnancy and the rest is the child’s age from birth until reaching 2 years old. At the age of 0-6 months, breast milk (ASI) is the best source of nutrition for the baby. Besides being a source of nutrition, breast milk also provides affection and sensory stimulation, which are important for the baby's development and intelligence level,” she explained.
The woman, who is also a UMM Medical Student, also emphasized that babies over 6 months old who are only given breast milk are not sufficient to meet their macronutrient and micronutrient needs. She emphasized that at this stage, the role of Complementary Foods to Breast Milk (MPASI) is important to consider as additional nutrition. MPASI is introduced gradually, starting with texture and consistency that becomes coarser as the baby's oral-motor skills develop.
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“If mothers have heard that giving breast milk is not important after the baby reaches 6 months old, that is a myth and is very incorrect. The correct approach is to gradually introduce MPASI. It is important to remember that what happens, is done, and is consumed during the first 1,000 days of life will have a long-term impact on the child's future,” she advised.
Finally, she hoped that through this education, it would also provide more knowledge to the community to pay more attention to the first 1,000 days. There are many benefits that arise, starting from preventing stunting, optimizing the child's nutrition, to enhancing the child's cognitive and mental abilities. Thus, this also serves as the first step in creating a healthy and superior generation. (Din/Faq/Fajr)
