Background It is a well-known fact that exclusive breastfeeding benefits both mothers and their babies. The aim of this study is to assess the associated factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding of babies until 6 months of age.
Methods The study used data from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Overall, 1,542 women who had infants aged below 6 months were included in the study. Sociodemographic and maternal health service utilization factors were examined for association with exclusive breastfeeding, using logistic regression for a complex sample design.
Results The proportion of exclusive breastfeeding was 52.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.498–0.548). Parity, antenatal care visits, early initiation of breastfeeding, low-income households, and rural areas were significant factors associated with the increased likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding. However, working status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57–0.86) and caesarean delivery or C-section (aOR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57–0.99) were factors for a lower likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusion Working women are at risk of discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers who had a normal vaginal delivery and practiced early initiation of breastfeeding had a higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding. These findings have important implications for developing comprehensive guidance and resources for women regarding the importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the early postpartum period.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Correlations between family characteristics and childcare in optimizing the growth of children under six years Laili Rahayuwati, Desy Indra Yani, Sri Hendrawati, Arlette Suzy Setiawan, Damar Irza, Sherllina Rizqi Fauziah BMC Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Educational Packages on Breastfeeding Increase Behavior and Self-Efficacy of Mothers Stefi Maizuputri, Muthia Mutmainnah, Meinarisa Jurnal Berita Ilmu Keperawatan.2024; 17(2): 152. CrossRef
Role of proper postnatal care in continued exclusive breastfeeding among young Indonesian mothers Wahyu Triadmajani, Shinta Prawitasari, Abdul Wahab Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2024; 67(12): 686. CrossRef
Does caesarean section have an impact on exclusive breastfeeding? Evidence from four Southeast Asian countries Kyaw Lwin Show, Nampet Jampathong, Pyae Linn Aung, Kyawt Mon Win, Chetta Ngamjarus, Porjai Pattanittum, Thae Maung Maung, Khaing Nwe Tin, Su Mon Myat, Meghan A Bohren, Nogati Chairunnisa, Pisake Lumbiganon BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
The practice of exclusive breastfeeding by region in Indonesia Haerawati Idris, Dea Widya Astari Public Health.2023; 217: 181. CrossRef
Social media utilization and knowledge levels in exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Indonesia Deswani Deswani, Dea Eki Rahmawati, Yuli Mulyanti, Syafdewiyani Syafdewiyani, Rita Ismail, Sri Djuwitaningsih Healthcare in Low-resource Settings.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Analysis of Supporting Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice in the Urban Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic Agrina Agrina, Dedi Afandi, Suyanto Suyanto, Erika Erika, Yulia Irvani Dewi, Siska Helina, Dita Pramita, Nanda Safira Children.2022; 9(7): 1074. CrossRef
Background Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal and natural method of feeding infants. However, there are obstacles that can limit exclusive breastfeeding practices during the first 6 months of an infant’s life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding and its associated factors among mothers who work as healthcare providers at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 295 medical doctors and staff nurses from June to December 2015. Simple random sampling was applied. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed.
Results The prevalence of unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding among the study participants was 58.3%. Mothers who preferred formula milk (odds ratio [OR], 4.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45–13.31) delivered via lower segment cesarean section (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.07–4.98) and produced inadequate breast milk (OR, 4.06; 95% CI, 2.40– 6.89) were significantly associated with unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusion The prevalence of unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding among the study participants was high. Maternal characteristics such as preference towards formula milk, mode of delivery and adequacy of breast milk must be assessed to prevent unsuccessful exclusive breastfeeding among healthcare providers.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
The Relationship Between Mother's Level of Knowledge and Attitude Towards Exclusive Breastfeeding Febri Adriati, Rizka Dita Hidayati Jurnal Midpro.2025; 16(2): 203. CrossRef
Enhancing maternal role achievement and breastfeeding success through health belief model intervention Nurus Safaah, Esti Yunitasari, Budi Prasetyo, Mira Triharini, Pipit Feriani Healthcare in Low-resource Settings.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
The practice of exclusive breastfeeding by region in Indonesia Haerawati Idris, Dea Widya Astari Public Health.2023; 217: 181. CrossRef
Exploring the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months in the Gambia using gambian demographic and health survey data of 2019-20 Bewuketu Terefe, Kegnie Shitu BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Exclusive Breastfeeding in Health Personnel: Incidence and Barriers Tongta Nanthakomon, Sonthaya Nukaw, Sudatip Kositamongkol Children.2023; 10(8): 1424. CrossRef
Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice in Indonesia: A Population-Based Study Maria Gayatri Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2021; 42(5): 395. CrossRef
On the Relationship between Social Support and Early Breastfeeding Termination Marzieh Faghani Aghoozi, Mohaddeseh Karimi Khoshal, Sanaz Faiazi, Shahnaz Tork Zahrani, Malihe Amerian Preventive Care In Nursing and Midwifery Journal.2019; 9(1): 1. CrossRef