Exclusive Breastfeeding and Timing of Postpartum Menstrual Resumption among Lactating Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53713/htechj.v4i5.839Keywords:
Exclusive Breastfeeding, Lactational Amenorrhea, Postpartum Menstruation, Lactating MothersAbstract
Exclusive breastfeeding influences maternal reproductive physiology by suppressing ovulation and potentially delaying postpartum menstrual resumption through lactational amenorrhea. This study examined the association between exclusive breastfeeding and the timing of postpartum menstrual resumption among lactating mothers in Trunamanggala Village, Cimalaka District, Sumedang Regency, Indonesia. A quantitative correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 60 breastfeeding mothers aged 20–35 years with infants aged 6–12 months, recruited using total sampling. Data were collected using a validated 20-item questionnaire covering maternal characteristics, exclusive breastfeeding practices, and the timing of postpartum menstrual resumption. Univariate analysis was used to summarize participant characteristics and study variables, while Spearman’s rank correlation was applied to assess the association between exclusive breastfeeding and menstrual resumption. Most participants (93.3%, n = 56) reported exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months, and 65.0% (n = 39) experienced menstrual resumption at six months postpartum or later. Exclusive breastfeeding was significantly and positively associated with later postpartum menstrual resumption (Spearman’s ρ = 0.364, p = 0.004), indicating a modest relationship between longer exclusive breastfeeding and prolonged postpartum amenorrhea. Maternal age was not significantly associated with menstrual resumption (ρ = −0.196, p = 0.133). These findings support the role of sustained exclusive breastfeeding in delaying the return of menstruation and highlight its relevance to postpartum reproductive health and birth-spacing counseling. Interpretation should remain cautious because the cross-sectional design does not establish causality.
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