“Preventing Stunting in Children: 7 Essential Steps for Optimal Growth and Nutrition”

SLEMAN NEWS – Stunting is a condition of failure to thrive in children caused by chronic malnutrition and environmental conditions that do not support optimal growth. Surely parents don’t want their children to be stunted right? To prevent stunting in children, here are some steps you can take:

1. Provision of Adequate Nutrition

Ensure that children receive balanced and adequate nutritional intake, including important nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Provide nutritious and balanced food with a variety of types of food that include vegetable and animal protein, as well as vegetables and fruits fruit.

Also Read: 10 Tips for Facing Difficult Children to Eat

2. Give exclusive breastfeeding

Give exclusive ASI (breast milk) to babies for the first six months of life. Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs and can help prevent stunting. Then try to give complete breastfeeding until the child is 2 years old.

3. Pay attention to ASI Complementary Foods

After the baby is six months old, start giving complementary foods gradually. The point is from the texture, at first it is runny, soft until you are given more solid food. Make sure the food has good nutritional value and is varied, and adapted to the baby’s development.

4. Infection Prevention

Recurrent or chronic infections can cause stunting in children. Maintain personal and environmental hygiene, give proper vaccinations, and avoid exposure to infectious diseases. If possible, vaccinate children who are not covered by BPJS, because this is very important. Such as cough and cold vaccines.

Read also: Psychological impact on children who are often scolded

5. Treat Children’s Health Well

Make sure the child gets regular health care, including growth and development checks. If any health problems are detected, immediately consult a doctor or medical personnel.

6. Provide Education and Understanding

Increase parents’ and community’s understanding of the importance of good nutrition, a balanced diet, and the importance of optimal growth in children. Through education, parents and the community can play an active role in preventing stunting. For example, if you already understand, you will not give random food to children with the excuse “the important thing is to be full”.

7. Ensure Adequate Access to Clean Water and Sanitation

Ensure that children have adequate access to clean water and good sanitation. Poor hygiene and limited access to clean water can increase the risk of infection and disease that contribute to stunting.