Breastfeeding practices in Indonesia. 1997

Suharyono, and M Paul
Department of Child Health, Medical School University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Breastfeeding promotion program was started by the paediatricians and others in 1977, and is becoming a strong activity since 1990 it was declared by the President of the Republic of Indonesia as a National Movement. One year later the First Lady stated the importance of every Indonesian mother to breast-feed her baby, and thereafter many hospitals created the so called "Baby Friendly Hospital". In this occasion we only limit with eminent topics, i.e., "Exclusive Breast-feeding" in Indonesia, and "Breastfeeding amongst Working Mothers." In fact, until now the percentage of mothers who breastfeed exclusively is very low. Although the ever breastfed babies in Indonesia is 97% (Kodyat, 1996) but the data of the "Exclusive Breastfeeding" of Indonesia is just like Pakistan and Thailand, i.e. nearly 2 months, whereas the Philippines and Ceylon showed a figure of 4 months, and India 5 months. The Home Health Survey (SKRT) data in 1992 showed that 63.7% of the babies were exclusively breast-fed until 3 months. Three quarter of the quality of the exclusive breastmilk is quite good, enough or excellent, whereas the other one quarter is poor and this should be interfered by increasing the quality of the breastmilk and/or adding other formula, to prevent the baby of getting "failure to thrive" (Suharyono, 1996). Working mothers use to do "Early Weaning Practices" with very high mixed feeding practices (Matulessy et al, 1996). Mothers have to go to work because they have to support their family income, but unfortunately most of them ignore their main task of care their children. CONCLUSIONS the experience in Indonesia proves that a very hard work should still be continued on the effort of promoting breastfeeding, especially regarding the two issues, i.e. "Exclusive breastfeeding" (we do hope at least until 4 months) and the other issue is regarding the "Working Mothers".

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007214 Indonesia A republic stretching from the Indian Ocean east to New Guinea, comprising six main islands: Java, Sumatra, Bali, Kalimantan (the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo), Sulawesi (formerly known as the Celebes) and Irian Jaya (the western part of New Guinea). Its capital is Djakarta. The ethnic groups living there are largely Chinese, Arab, Eurasian, Indian, and Pakistani; 85% of the peoples are of the Islamic faith. Celebes,Indonesian New Guinea,Irian Jaya,Java,Madoera,Netherlands East Indies,New Guinea, Indonesian,New Guinea, West,Sulawesi,Sumatra,Timor,West Irian,Bali,East Indies,Madura,Malay Archipelago
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D001942 Breast Feeding The nursing of an infant at the breast. Breast Fed,Breastfed,Milk Sharing,Wet Nursing,Breast Feeding, Exclusive,Breastfeeding,Breastfeeding, Exclusive,Exclusive Breast Feeding,Exclusive Breastfeeding,Sharing, Milk
D004651 Employment The state of being engaged in an activity or service for wages or salary. Employment Termination,Employment Status,Labor Force,Occupational Status,Status, Occupational,Underemployment,Labor Forces,Status, Employment,Termination, Employment
D005260 Female Females
D006266 Health Education Education that increases the awareness and favorably influences the attitudes and knowledge relating to the improvement of health on a personal or community basis. Community Health Education,Education, Health,Education, Community Health,Health Education, Community
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

Suharyono, and M Paul
March 2022, Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi,
Suharyono, and M Paul
January 1985, Paediatrica Indonesiana,
Suharyono, and M Paul
January 1992, The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association,
Suharyono, and M Paul
November 2008, Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association,
Suharyono, and M Paul
January 1991, Annals of Saudi medicine,
Suharyono, and M Paul
May 2004, Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association,
Suharyono, and M Paul
April 1998, Journal of tropical pediatrics,
Suharyono, and M Paul
January 1992, Annals of Saudi medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!