Media counseling of breastfeeding practice improved newborn growth outcomes in Ngombol Public Health Center, Purworejo-Indonesia

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ngombol public health center is below the regency target which was only 54.4% from 80% in Purworejo in 2019. Program to improve exclusive breastfeeding such as counseling is one of the best ways to increase community participation as this is a crucial phase to fulfill newborn nutrition needs. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of media counseling on increasing breastfeeding practice and improving newborn weight in the first-month-old. We created a quasi-experimental design with one group pre-test and a post-test with a control group design. Of 40 post-partum mothers and newborns were recruited in this study. Data collection was gathered such as socio-demography, breastfeeding observation form, and newborn’s weight both before and after the one-month intervention. The intervention group had been counseled with media such as leaflets, breastfeeding flipcharts, breast props, and newborn dolls. On the other hand, the control group had no received counseling with media. A statistical paired t-test test was created to find the association between those variables using SPSS 20.0 for windows. The mean average of newborn weight after the intervention was 1,005.55 g and 964,50 g for the intervention and control group, respectively. There were differences before and after a month of giving exclusive breastfeeding between the control and intervention groups (p<0.001). Mothers in the intervention group had 80% achieved minimum recommended weight gain (≥800 g/month). Exclusive breastfeeding counseling with media has an impact on improving newborn weight at the first-month-old in Ngombol Public health Center, Purworejo-Indonesia. Using media during breastfeeding counseling regularly may help the awareness and knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding for mothers, yet improve breastfeeding practice.