NERS NEWS — Surabaya — Class of 49 Nurse Professional Education Program students from the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga (Unair), conducted a Hospital Health Education (PKRS) session titled “Smooth Breastfeeding, Healthy Baby: Know Fetal/Infant Nutrition and Proper Breastfeeding Techniques” in the PERINA Waiting Area at Universitas Airlangga Hospital (RSUA), Surabaya, on Saturday (10/31/2026). This activity aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of mothers and patient families regarding infant nutrition, breast milk production, and proper breastfeeding techniques, particularly for infants undergoing care in the PERINA ward.
This health education session was delivered via lecture and Q&A using leaflets and posters. The material was presented in a simple, communicative manner so that it could be easily understood by mothers and patient families. The talk addressed the benefits of breast milk as a baby’s primary source of nutrition, factors affecting milk supply, and methods to boost and maintain milk production during lactation.
The program involved Young Nurses from Group D1.1 Class of 49, Faculty of Nursing Unair, under the guidance of academic advisor Dr. Ilya Krisnana, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., and clinical instructor Diah Sukmawati, S.Kep., Ns. The education took place at the RSUA PERINA Waiting Area starting at 11:00 AM WIB. The agenda included an opening ceremony, material presentation, interactive discussion, participant evaluation, and closing.
The educational presentation emphasized the importance of fulfilling lactating mothers’ nutritional needs through balanced nutrition and adequate fluid intake. Participants also received detailed explanations of proper breastfeeding positioning: ensuring the baby’s head and body are aligned in a straight line, the baby’s body is held close to the mother, and the baby’s face directly confronts the breast. Additionally, correct latching signs were highlighted, such as the baby’s mouth opening wide, most of the areola entering the baby’s mouth, the baby’s chin touching the breast, and the lower lip flaring outward. The education also underscored the importance of regular milk expression, particularly for mothers whose infants cannot feed directly due to medical conditions or specialized care in the PERINA ward. Participants were instructed on manual expression and breast pump usage, hygienic practices during expression, as well as proper handling and storage of expressed breast milk in accordance with healthcare provider guidelines.
The activity proceeded to an interactive Q&A session, providing participants an opportunity to ask questions regarding exclusive breastfeeding, factors influencing milk supply, maternal nutrition during lactation, and strategies for managing stress while nursing. Comprehension evaluation was conducted through a simple Q&A format to assess participants’ understanding of the delivered topics.
This PKRS initiative reflects Unair Professional Nurse students’ concrete contribution to advancing maternal and family health literacy. Education on breast milk and proper breastfeeding techniques is crucial, especially for mothers of infants with special conditions such as prematurity, low birth weight (LBW), or those requiring PERINA ward care. Through this program, mothers and families are expected to appreciate the importance of breastfeeding, sustain milk production, and apply correct breastfeeding techniques tailored to their baby’s needs.
This activity supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly
- SDGs 3: Good Health and Well-Being: Achieved through efforts to increase maternal and family knowledge regarding breastfeeding, infant nutrition, and overall maternal and child health support.
- SDGs 4: Quality Education: Achieved through delivering accessible, practical health education that can be applied in daily life.
- SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Achieved through collaboration among students, healthcare professionals, educational institutions, and patient families to support successful breastfeeding.
Through the “Smooth Breastfeeding, Healthy Baby: Know Fetal/Infant Nutrition and Proper Breastfeeding Techniques” program, Nurse Professional students of the Faculty of Nursing Unair hope to boost the knowledge and confidence of mothers and families in supporting successful lactation. This activity stands as a tangible contribution of nursing education in advocating health promotion and improving maternal and child health quality, particularly within Universitas Airlangga Hospital.
Writer: Nabila Aurellia
