Caregiver anak dengan Down syndrome sering menghadapi tantangan feeding yang meningkatkan tekanan psikologis dan memengaruhi efektivitas feeding. Dukungan sosial berperan penting dalam membantu caregiver menurunkan tekanan psikologis dan meningkatkan efektivitas feeding. Penelitian ini bertujuan memberikan gambaran yang lebih mendalam terkait dukungan sosial bagi caregiver dalam menghadapi kesulitan feeding pada anak Down syndrome. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain kualitatif dengan metode pengumpulan data berupa observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Responden dipilih berdasarkan purposive sampling. Pengambilan data dilakukan terhadap tiga orang tua anak dengan Down syndrome berusia 2-5 tahun yang mengalami kesulitan makan di Kota Metro, Lampung, dan sekitarnya, selama periode Februari hingga April 2025. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa caregiver menerima berbagai bentuk dukungan sosial, yaitu: dukungan instrumental berupa bantuan menyuapi anak, pekerjaan rumah tangga, dan dukungan finansial dari pasangan atau keluarga; dukungan emosional dari pasangan, orang tua, dan komunitas orang tua disabilitas; dukungan informasi dari tenaga kesehatan dan sesama orang tua; serta dukungan persahabatan melalui interaksi sosial yang memperkuat ketahanan psikologis. Keberadaan berbagai bentuk dukungan sosial ini, terutama dari pasangan dan lingkungan terdekat, terbukti memiliki kontribusi penting dalam menjaga kesejahteraan psikologis caregiver dan efektivitas proses feeding.

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Caregivers of children with Down syndrome often face feeding challenges that increase psychological distress and affect feeding effectiveness. Social support plays a crucial role in helping caregivers reduce psychological distress and improve feeding effectiveness. This study aims to provide a more in-depth overview of social support for caregivers in addressing feeding difficulties in children with Down syndrome. This study used a qualitative design with data collection methods including observation, interviews, and documentation. Respondents were selected based on purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted on three parents of children with Down syndrome aged 2-5 years who experienced feeding difficulties in Metro City, Lampung, and surrounding areas, from February to April 2025. The results showed that caregivers received various forms of social support, namely: instrumental support in the form of assistance with feeding, household chores, and financial support from partners or family; emotional support from partners, parents, and the community of parents with disabilities; informational support from health workers and fellow parents; and friendship support through social interactions that strengthen psychological resilience. The existence of these various forms of social support, especially from partners and the immediate environment, has been shown to play a significant role in maintaining caregivers' psychological well-being and the effectiveness of the feeding process.