Socio-Cultural Experiences of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Banjar Mothers in Indonesia
Dina Aprilia1,2, Afra Hafny Noer1, Retno Hanggarani Ninin1
1Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Padjadjaran Bandung, Jatinangor 45363, Indonesia.
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is recognized as an effective public health intervention; however, its practice is shaped by complex social, emotional, and cultural dynamics, particularly within collectivist societies. This study aims to explore in depth the meaning of exclusive breastfeeding in the early postpartum period within the socio-cultural context of the Banjar community with a focus on postpartum stress and the dynamics of social support. Methods: This qualitative study, grounded in a constructivist paradigm and designed as a case study, was conducted among 15 Banjar mothers aged 18-35 years with infants aged 0-6 weeks in Banjarmasin City and Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke between May and August 2024. All interview data were translated and verified through collaborative review among bilingual researchers to ensure accuracy. Results: The analysis identified five main themes: breastfeeding knowledge, social support, postpartum stress, attitudes toward breastfeeding, and exclusive breastfeeding practices. Although some participants experienced formula introduction, breastfeeding practices were often described as efforts to maintain exclusive breastfeeding rather than continuous exclusive adherence. The findings reveal that breastfeeding is interpreted not only as nutritional provision but also as a relational, moral, and religious practice embedded within collectivist values and Islamic teachings. Social support is experienced as ambivalent, functioning as both a protective and normative force within extended family structures. Postpartum stress specifically related to breastfeeding emerges from limited early initiation of breastfeeding, surrounding formula-feeding dilemmas, and internal conflicts between feelings of guilt and commitment to breastfeeding. Maternal attitudes are shaped by personal commitment, religious beliefs, and critical reflections on medical interventions, while exclusive breastfeeding practices are enacted through adaptive strategies, breast milk management, and reinforcement from the social environment. Conclusions: This study provides a context-sensitive understanding of early postpartum exclusive breastfeeding as a culturally embedded maternal experience. By highlighting how social support, cultural expectations, postpartum stress, and maternal attitudes intersect to shape breastfeeding practices, the study contributes new insights for culturally grounded maternal health interventions in collectivist Muslim societies.
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is recognized as an effective public health intervention; however, its practice is shaped by complex social, emotional, and cultural dynamics, particularly within collectivist societies. This study aims to explore in depth the meaning of exclusive breastfeeding in the early postpartum period within the socio-cultural context of the Banjar community with a focus on postpartum stress and the dynamics of social support. Methods: This qualitative study, grounded in a constructivist paradigm and designed as a case study, was conducted among 15 Banjar mothers aged 18-35 years with infants aged 0-6 weeks in Banjarmasin City and Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke between May and August 2024. All interview data were translated and verified through collaborative review among bilingual researchers to ensure accuracy. Results: The analysis identified five main themes: breastfeeding knowledge, social support, postpartum stress, attitudes toward breastfeeding, and exclusive breastfeeding practices. Although some participants experienced formula introduction, breastfeeding practices were often described as efforts to maintain exclusive breastfeeding rather than continuous exclusive adherence. The findings reveal that breastfeeding is interpreted not only as nutritional provision but also as a relational, moral, and religious practice embedded within collectivist values and Islamic teachings. Social support is experienced as ambivalent, functioning as both a protective and normative force within extended family structures. Postpartum stress specifically related to breastfeeding emerges from limited early initiation of breastfeeding, surrounding formula-feeding dilemmas, and internal conflicts between feelings of guilt and commitment to breastfeeding. Maternal attitudes are shaped by personal commitment, religious beliefs, and critical reflections on medical interventions, while exclusive breastfeeding practices are enacted through adaptive strategies, breast milk management, and reinforcement from the social environment. Conclusions: This study provides a context-sensitive understanding of early postpartum exclusive breastfeeding as a culturally embedded maternal experience. By highlighting how social support, cultural expectations, postpartum stress, and maternal attitudes intersect to shape breastfeeding practices, the study contributes new insights for culturally grounded maternal health interventions in collectivist Muslim societies.
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