Exclusive breastfeeding plan of pregnant Southeast Asian women: what encourages them?
Idris, N.S.; Sastroasmoro, S.; Hidayati, F.; Sapriani, I.; Suradi, R.; Grobbee, D.E.; Uiterwaal, C.S.P.M.
Breastfeeding Medicine the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 8(3): 317-320
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1556-8342 PMID: 23057643 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2012.0003Document Number: 579051
This study investigated factors involved in breastfeeding planning of pregnant Asian women. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 207 pregnant women visiting the Budi Kemuliaan Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, between June and August 2011. The planned breastfeeding duration and determinants were sought using a standardized self-reported questionnaire. Most subjects had low income (84.1%) and education (79.7%). Women who had been informed about breastfeeding had a higher likelihood to plan longer (≥6 months) breastfeeding (odds ratio [OR] 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-3.75; p=0.04), whereas women who had breastfed previous children over a shorter period had a lower likelihood (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.11-0.59; p=0.001). Age, low education level, first pregnancy, and low income had no association with breastfeeding plans. Working mothers who had to return to work before 6 months and worked for >8 hours/day were less likely to plan longer breastfeeding (OR 0.14; 95% CI 0.02-0.83; p=0.03 vs. OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.17-1.63; p=0.27), whereas those intending to express their milk were more likely to breastfeed longer (OR 16.85; 95% CI 4.21-67.48; p<0.001). Planning of prolonged breastfeeding has little to do with maternal age, education, or number of pregnancies. However, mothers who work, who had previously breastfed for a short period, and who are not well informed about breastfeeding tend to plan shorter breastfeeding. Among mothers who work, it is the length of maternal leave and required working hours that determine the plans.