Exclusive Breastfeeding for Twin Babies and Its Influencing Factors: A Study in East Java, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to identify the factors that influence the success of exclusive breastfeeding in twins. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 mothers who had twins aged 6–23 months in Malang Raya, East Java, Indonesia and used the consecutive sampling technique. The data was collected through distributing questionnaires containing questions related to knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and the support of family and certified health workers. Multinomial regression statistical test results show that the most influential factor for the success of exclusive breastfeeding with twins was breastfeeding self-efficacy (OR 0.111; 95% CI 0.033–0.387). A high level of breastfeeding self-efficacy can increase a mother’s confidence to be able to provide exclusive breastfeeding for twins. This study suggests that nurses can provide breastfeeding counselling to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy.

KEYWORDS:

• Exclusive breastfeeding
• self-efficacy
• twin babies

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank all mothers involved in this study.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by Hibah PITTA 2018 funded by DRPM Universitas Indonesia No. [1841/UN2.R3.1/HKP.05.00/2018].