Infant feeding practices and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from an online cross-sectional study in Indonesia

Judhiastuty Februhartanty, Cahya Ayu Agustin, Athiya Fadlina

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic presents a challenge to ensuring optimal infant feeding practices. This study aimed to assess infant feeding practices and investigate potential factors associated with exclusive and continued breastfeeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Methods: An online survey was conducted during December 2020 – August 2021. A total of 817 Indonesian mothers aged ≥18 years old with infants aged <18 months were obtained through convenience sampling. Exclusive breastfeeding was the practice at the time of the survey among infants <6 months old; continued breastfeeding was considered when infants aged >6 months received any type of breastfeeding in the previous day. Results: Most subjects were aged 25–34 years old (81.3%), had a high education level (85.7%), with middle household income level (40.5%), and lived in Java Island (81.6%). Infants’ age and sex were comparable between younger vs. older infants and boys vs. girls, respectively. Exclusive breastfeeding was 81.3%. Continued breastfeeding was 93.4%, with 74.3% meeting the minimum acceptable diet. Breastfeeding intention (92.9%) and husband’s support for infant feeding (67.2%) were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate analyses showed that breastfeeding intention was one of the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding [aOR=12.6; 95%CI (4.1–39.1)] and continued breastfeeding [10.9 (4.4–27.0)]. Conclusion: The study suggested that mothers’ intention to breastfeed during the COVID-19 pandemic provided affirmation of good breastfeeding experiences by allowing mothers to have more time for childcare activities and more opportunities to develop meaningful co-parenting practices while staying at home.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)167-179
Number of pages13
JournalMalaysian Journal of Nutrition
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • breastfeeding intention
  • continued breastfeeding
  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • exclusive breastfeeding
  • minimum acceptable diet

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