Public Value of Working Women towards the Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding and the Provision of Nursing Room

Mothers who have to return to work after giving birth and having 3-month maternity leave are facing challenges in giving exclusive breastfeeding, which should be given for the first 6 months, and decided to use formula milk. The Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 15 of 2013 concerning Procedures for Providing Special Facilities for Breastfeeding and/or Expressing Breastmilk has been ineffective. This preliminary study was a desk research reviewing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in working women and their needs of nursing rooms in their workplace. The method used in the study was literature review on the research in the recent 10 years regarding women's attitudes and knowledge towards exclusive breastfeeding and the needs of nursing rooms. The results of this study indicate that there is still a socio-cultural influence on the values, attitudes and knowledge of women regarding the obligation to provide breast milk to their babies, work obligations and the availability of nursing rooms in their workplace. This research has practical benefits regarding the effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding and the provision of nursing rooms in Indonesia.