Breast Milk (ASI) is a very nutritious food for babies, and its benefits are widely known by the community, especially in supporting children’s growth and development. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indonesian government recommended exclusive breastfeeding for six months with breast milk complimentary food and continued until the child is two years old. Exclusive breastfeeding is breastfeeding without food or other drinks from being born up to 6 months. Children who get exclusive breastfeeding have better body defenses compared to children who do not get exclusive breastfeeding.

Even though there are many benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, not all mothers give exclusive breastfeeding to their babies. According to 2017 nutritional status monitoring in Indonesia, exclusive breastfeeding coverage is still very low at 35.7%. It means that only one out three mothers give exclusive breastfeeding to their children.

Several factors influence exclusive breastfeeding include knowledge, attitudes, and employment status of the mother, socio-economic condition and normal delivery process or caesarean section. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and exclusive breastfeeding practices in East Java.

This study was conducted in a cross-sectional manner for 330 women in Surabaya City and Sidoarjo Regency in 2017. Knowledge, attitudes and exclusive breastfeeding practices were asked using a structured questionnaire by trained enumerators. This study shows that the average age of mothers was 30.8, and the infants were 13.4 months. Most mothers are housewives, with an education level below high school (SMA), and income less than 4 million rupiah per month.

The result of this study showed that one in two mothers give exclusive breastfeeding to their babies. However, only one-third of mothers have proper knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding. A total of 15 questions related to the definition, benefits, time of giving complementing food (MP-ASI)and weaning time were asked to the mothers. Based on the theme of the question, the definition of exclusive breastfeeding, the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding related to the growth and development of children and the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers are still not well understood by the respondents. Most mothers have heard and learned about exclusive breastfeeding. However, they do not know the definition of exclusive breastfeeding correctly. Insufficient understanding of the definition resulted in bias information when the mother is asked whether the mother is giving exclusive breastfeeding to her baby. While on the other hand, mothers already know well the right time to wean and give MP-ASI.

Half of the mothers have positive attitudes related to exclusive breastfeeding. However, there are three obstacles in the implementation of exclusive breastfeeding, formula milk, working mothers and the ability of mothers to provide exclusive breastfeeding. Many mothers agree if breast milk can be replaced with formula milk under any conditions. The mothers argue that they are difficult to give exclusive breastfeeding because they have to work. Furthermore, they also feel they need special training related to exclusive breastfeeding.

Based on Republic of Indonesia Law No. 36 of 2009 concerning Health, article 128 states that every baby has the right to get exclusive breastfeeding from they are born to six months of age except for specific medical indications, and it is recommended that breastfeeding to be continued until the child is two years old. The medical signs referred to this law are the presence of metabolic disorders in infants such as galactosemia, phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease and other metabolic disorders, very low birth weight and premature birth.

This study showed that there is a positive relationship between knowledge, attitudes and exclusive breastfeeding practices. It illustrates that increasing awareness and attitudes of mothers regarding exclusive breastfeeding can improve the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for their babies. Nutritional knowledge on the definition and benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and positive attitudes related to the use of appropriate formula milk, exclusive breastfeeding for working mothers and support to all mothers that they can practice exclusive breastfeeding instinctively without the need for special training.

Author: Rian Diana, SP., M.Si.

Detailed information from this study can be seen in our article in the Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development. http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ijphrd&volume=10&issue=3&article=171  

Diana R, Adi AC (2019). Mother’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 10 (3): 887-892. DOI Number: 10.5958 / 0976-5506.2019.00614.4