The Relationship between Expressed Breast Milk Management and The Success of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Working Mothers at Banyumas Regional General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal employment significantly influence breastfeeding rates. The challenges of exclusive breastfeeding are often more prevalent among working mothers due to limited time spent with their infants, coupled with demanding work schedules that leave little time for expressing breast milk or nursing.

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the relationship between expressed breast milk management and the success of exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers.

Methods: The type of research employed in this study is retrospective descriptive research with a cross-sectional approach. The research sample consists of RSUD Banyumas working women with children aged 6-12 months, selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, totalling 32 individuals using the total sampling method. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square correlation analysis.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 26-45 years. The majority of respondents had higher education (D3-S1), comprising 29 respondents (90.6%), and most of them worked as nurses/midwives, totalling 15 respondents (46.9%). Regarding parity, some respondents had more than one child, precisely 17 respondents (53.1%). Based on the research results obtained from 32 respondents, the majority have a moderate breast milk expression method, which is 20 individuals (62.5%), and most of them have successful exclusive breastfeeding, totaling 18 individuals (56.3%). The research findings indicate that the significance value (2-tailed) is 0.002, with a sample size (N) of 32 respondents and an alpha (α) value of 0.05. Chi-square test results reveal a p-value of 0.002, which is smaller than the alpha value of 0.05, indicating the acceptance of the alternative hypothesis (Ha). Therefore, the analysis results demonstrate a correlation between the breast milk expression method and the success of exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers at RSUD Banyumas.

Conclusions: Giving expressed breast milk correctly can affect the success of exclusive breastfeeding because the correct method benefits both the baby and the mother. Proper breastfeeding maintains the content of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the baby. The appropriate technique also enhances the comfort of both the mother and the baby during breastfeeding, leading to maximum milk production. Therefore, the process of successfully providing exclusive breastfeeding can proceed effectively.