Holistic response of mother as caregiver in treating stunting children

Background: Stunting is a physical disorder that occurs in children, namely lack of height based on the child's age. Stunting can result in impaired cognitive development, impaired mental and motor development, and make children more vulnerable to disease. Stunting affects not only the child, but also the parents as the caregivers of the child, especially the mother. In addition, stunting, as well as malnutrition, can cause stigma from the community to the caring family; hence, the condition of the stunting child can arise various responses to the caregiver. Aim: To explore more deeply about family experiences, especially mothers’ caring for children with stunting. Methods: This research was qualitative research with a phenomenological approach. Participants consisted of 12 mothers. Results: One of the emerging themes was a holistic response as the subjective burden for mothers, which was discussed in more detail in this article. Conclusion: Mothers experience diverse responses; therefore, they need support and action to overcome the responses that arise. Furthermore, the readiness of caring mothers needs to be further investigated to determine its relationship with emerging responses and stunting events in Indonesia.