Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding Knowledge Through the “HEMAT” Emo-Demo Approach Among Postpartum and Breastfeeding Mothers
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Abstract
Exclusive breastfeeding is a key intervention for supporting infant survival, growth, and development. However, its coverage in Indonesia remains low at approximately 55%, falling short of the national target of 80%. The early postpartum period is a critical phase that can influence breastfeeding success, yet mothers often encounter several challenges, particularly limited knowledge regarding infant stomach capacity, the supply-and-demand mechanism of breast milk production, and appropriate nutritional intake during lactation. This community service program aimed to improve knowledge and encourage optimal exclusive breastfeeding practices among postpartum mothers through an Emotional Demonstration (Emo Demo) approach using the acronym “HEMAT”: Hanya ASI saja (Breast Milk Only), Eksklusif 6 bulan (Exclusive for Six Months), Makan bergizi untuk ibu (Nutritious Food for Mothers), ASI lancar alami (Natural and Smooth Breast Milk Production), and Tanpa tambahan (No Additional Food or Drink).
The program was conducted on June 14, 2026, at the Independent Midwifery Practice of Deyeri/Deri in Palembang City and involved 20 postpartum mothers. The intervention consisted of interactive educational sessions, Emotional Demonstrations, and group discussions, supported by educational materials in the form of leaflets and posters. Participants’ knowledge was assessed before and after the intervention using pre-test and post-test questionnaires, and the results were analyzed using a paired t-test.The findings demonstrated a substantial improvement in participants’ knowledge, with the mean score increasing from 68.0 (SD 11.05) before the intervention to 90.5 (SD 10.50) afterward. The mean increase was 22.5 points (95% CI: 17.49–27.51), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, the proportion of participants classified as having good knowledge increased from 30.0% at baseline to 90.0% after the intervention. These findings suggest that the HEMAT Emo Demo approach is effective in improving postpartum mothers’ knowledge and may contribute to the promotion of optimal exclusive breastfeeding practices.
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Khidmah oleh http://khidmah.ikestmp.ac.id/index.php/khidmah disebarluaskan di bawah Lisensi Creative Commons Atribusi-BerbagiSerupa 4.0 Internasional.
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