Supporting Exclusive Breastfeeding Through Early Breastfeeding Initiation - Khairunnisa, Nining; Anggraini, Meiry Reflita; Ruhama, Ruhama; Noviana, Riska; Sitorus, CristinaIma ndarsari; Saragih, Elv. Feedia Mona (Program Studi Kebidanan Fakultas Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Malahayati, 2025)
Pendahuluan: Inisiasi menyusu dini (IMD) dan pemberian ASI eksklusif merupakan praktik penting dalam mendukung pertumbuhan dan perkembangan bayi secara optimal. Meskipun IMD telah banyak dilakukan, namun keberhasilan pemberian ASI eksklusif masih tergolong rendah, termasuk di UPT Puskesmas Delitua.Tujuan: Mengetahui hubungan inisiasi menyusu dini dengan pemberian ASI eksklusif pada bayi usia 0–6 bulan di Wilayah Kerja UPT Puskesmas Delitua Kabupaten Deli Serdang Tahun 2024.Metode Penelitian: Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain deskriptif analitik dan rancangan cross sectional. Populasi penelitian adalah ibu yang memiliki bayi usia 0–6 bulan dan membawa bayinya imunisasi di UPT Puskesmas Delitua, sebanyak 118 responden. Teknik sampling menggunakan total sampling. Instrumen penelitian berupa kuesioner dan data rekam medis. Analisis data dilakukan secara univariat dan bivariat dengan uji Chi-Square.Hasil: Sebanyak 57,6% ibu telah melakukan IMD, namun hanya 35,6% yang memberikan ASI eksklusif. Hasil uji Chi-Square menunjukkan terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara IMD dengan pemberian ASI eksklusif (p = 0,024).Kesimpulan: Terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara inisiasi menyusu dini dengan keberhasilan pemberian ASI eksklusif. Peningkatan edukasi dan dukungan dari tenaga kesehatan sangat diperlukan untuk mendorong praktik IMD dan ASI eksklusif, khususnya bagi ibu bekerja.Saran: Penelitian selanjutnya perlu menelaah faktor-faktor lain yang memengaruhi rendahnya keberhasilan ASI eksklusif setelah IMD, terutama tantangan yang dihadapi ibu bekerja. Selain itu, tenaga kesehatan perlu memperkuat edukasi, dukungan, dan penyediaan fasilitas guna meningkatkan praktik ASI eksklusif. Kata kunci: Inisiasi menyusu dini, ASI eksklusif, bayi, ibu menyusui ABSTRACT Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding are essential practices to support optimal infant growth and development. Although EIBF has been widely implemented, the success rate of exclusive breastfeeding remains low, including at the Delitua Health Center.Objective: To determine the relationship between early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding among infants aged 0–6 months in the working area of UPT Delitua Health Center, Deli Serdang Regency, in 2024.Methods: This study employed a quantitative approach with a descriptive analytic design and a cross-sectional method. The population included mothers with infants aged 0–6 months who brought their babies for immunization at UPT Delitua Health Center, totaling 118 respondents. The sampling technique used was total sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires and medical records. Data analysis was conducted using univariate and bivariate methods with the Chi-square test.Results: A total of 57.6% of mothers practiced EIBF, but only 35.6% exclusively breastfed their infants. The Chi-square test showed a significant relationship between EIBF and exclusive breastfeeding (p = 0.024).Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between early initiation of breastfeeding and the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Enhanced education and support from healthcare workers are crucial to promoting EIBF and exclusive breastfeeding practices, especially for working mothers. Suggestion: Future studies should explore other factors influencing the low success of exclusive breastfeeding after EIBF, particularly the challenges faced by working mothers. Moreover, health workers need to strengthen education, support, and the provision of facilities to improve exclusive breastfeeding practices. Keywords: Early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, infants, breastfeeding mothers