JAKARTA - Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life is one of the important foundations in supporting optimal growth and development as well as strengthening the child's immunity.
The World Health Organization recommends that babies only get breast milk without any additional food or drink during this period. However, in practice, there are still many social, cultural, and economic challenges that make the exclusive breastfeeding target has not been fully achieved in various regions.
A study conducted by researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Population Research Center, Yuly Astuti, revealed a number of key factors that contribute to the low practice of exclusive breastfeeding. The results of the study showed that there were certain variables that significantly increased the likelihood of babies not getting exclusive breast milk.
Statistically, mothers with an elementary school education or less have a 8.84 times higher risk of not providing exclusive breastfeeding compared to mothers with higher education. In addition, employment status also has an effect. Babies born to working mothers have a 6.45 times higher chance of not receiving exclusive breastfeeding compared to babies from mothers who do not work.
"Based on the analysis, as many as 58.1 percent of children in the study sample did not receive exclusive breast milk during the first six months. This figure shows the strength of structural and social barriers in breastfeeding practices," Yuly said in a statement delivered in Jakarta, Monday.
The study used a mixed-methods approach involving 706 mothers with children aged 6 to 59 months. The study was conducted in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java.
The research findings highlight that the level of maternal education, employment status, and the practice of giving food or drinks other than breast milk early (prelakteal) are the dominant factors that affect the success of exclusive breast milk in the region.
One of the most prominent results is the practice of prelakteal in the form of giving honey or sugar water to newborns.
This habit has been proven to increase the risk of not being given exclusive breast milk up to 5.67 times. Around 36.1 percent of respondents admitted to practicing this, generally because of cultural beliefs that sweetness will bring blessings or goodness to children in the future.
"Prelacteal practices are not just a tradition, but have real consequences for the failure of exclusive breastfeeding. This is a very important point of intervention," he explained.
In addition to these factors, the study also found that male babies are more at risk of not receiving exclusive breast milk than female babies. Children from low-income families are also more likely to have the opportunity to experience practices of feeding other than breast milk before their time.
Yuly explained that the social, economic, and gender construction dimensions also shape the pattern of infant care. In the study area, there is a view that boys as family successors must grow stronger, so it is considered not enough with breast milk and need to be given additional intake early.
According to him, social construction related to gender roles contributes to the failure of exclusive breastfeeding practices. Therefore, this issue cannot be seen solely as the responsibility of the mother.
He emphasized that health policies and promotions must be based on scientific evidence while considering the local social and cultural context.
By combining quantitative analysis and qualitative findings, this BRIN research presents a comprehensive picture of social and cultural determinants in exclusive breastfeeding practices.
"This finding is an important basis for designing more effective and context-appropriate behavioral change communication strategies. At the same time, it strengthens BRIN's contribution in supporting the acceleration of stunting reduction and health development based on scientific data," concluded Yuly Astuti.
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