The effect of gender on the exclusive breastfeeding practices in the first month of life

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding practice (EBP) has a main role in growth and development of infant. Research show that EBP in the first month of life influenced by many factors. Therefore, this study aimed to identified factors that related to EBP of infants in the first month of life. A cross sectional study was conducted on 35 breastfeeding mothers in Kedungmundu Sub-district, Semarang, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Mother’s general characteristic and prelacteal feeding were collected by structured questionnaires. Moreover, anthropometric measurements such as mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), height, body weight, and body fat percentage were also collected. Data analysis used Chi-square, Fisher Exact, Mann-whitney, and Logistic Regression Test. The results showed that all of infants were born in normal birth weight. MUAC, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and median parity of mothers were 26 cm, 23.2 kg/m2, 29.6% and 2 children, respectively. This study also found that mothers who breastfeed their babies exclusively in the first month of life were only 44%, and gender was significantly related to EBP (p=0.026). 65% non EBP mothers have a male infant which is they need large amount of breast milk than female. In conclusion, gender effect on the availability of breast milk on breastfeeding mothers.