Effects of Moringa oleifera on increasing breast milk in breastfeeding mothers with stunting toddlers in rural Batang-Batang District, Indonesia

Stunting in toddlers (0-2 years) remains a significant public health problem in Indonesia. Adequate breastfeeding is essential for stunting prevention, yet many mothers struggle with insufficient milk production. Moringa oleifera, known locally as moringa, has traditionally been used to increase breast milk production. Moringa plants have the potential to overcome various kinds of malnutrition or malnutrition problems in toddlers, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. This study aims is to examines the effect of consuming Moringa leaf-based vegetable soup on milk production in breastfeeding mothers with stunted toddlers at Leggung Health Centre. A quasi-experimental design was employed with 40 breastfeeding mothers of stunted toddlers (0-2 years) - 20 in the treatment group (given Moringa soup) and 20 in the control group (no treatment). Pretest results showed that only 57% of mother in the treatment group had adequate milk production, which increased to 76% after consuming Moringa leaf vegetable soup. The Mann-Witney U test revealed a significant difference (p = 0.000). These findings suggest that Moringa leaf soup can enhance breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers and may indirectly support stunting prevention efforts.