Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates in Indonesia Continue to Improve Over the Past Four Years

The trend of infants receiving exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) or those under six months old in Indonesia is improving. This is based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) which shows that the national percentage of exclusive breastfeeding has continued to increase over the last four years (2019-2022).

The latest data shows that the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding in the country reached 72.04% of the 0-6 month old infant population in 2022. This figure increased by 0.65% compared to the previous year (year-on-year/YoY), which was 71.58%.

The upward trend began in 2019. Exclusive breastfeeding growth surged 50.33% from 2018, reaching 66.69%. This percentage increase was the highest in the last seven years.

Over the last seven years, the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia reached its highest point in 2022. Conversely, the lowest percentage occurred in 2018.

By province, the highest national rate of exclusive breastfeeding in 2022 was in West Nusa Tenggara, reaching 79.69%. It was followed by Central Java and North Kalimantan with exclusive breastfeeding percentages of 78.71% and 78.7% respectively.

Meanwhile, Gorontalo was recorded as the province with the lowest national rate of exclusive breastfeeding in 2022, at only 53.6%.

Central Kalimantan had the second lowest national rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 55.26%. North Sumatra and Maluku followed with exclusive breastfeeding percentages of 57.17% and 59.62% respectively in 2022.

The importance of exclusive breastfeeding was also highlighted by the Director General of Public Health (Dirjen Kesmas) of the Ministry of Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi. According to her, if babies are not breastfed, they will have an increased risk of infection and nutritional problems.

"Breast milk contains the most complete nutrition, so if babies are not breastfed, they risk experiencing allergies and lactose intolerance," said Maria, as quoted from Antara, Tuesday (8/8/2023).

On the other hand, Maria emphasized that the responsibility for maintaining breast milk production is not solely the mother's, but also the family's, to ensure that the quality of breast milk remains maintained.

"The family's role at home is crucial in monitoring whether the mother gets enough rest and whether she is in good psychological condition; this also affects breast milk production," said Maria.