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National Health And Morbidity Survey 2016 : Maternal And Child Health (MCH) Volume II : Findings
99.10)] while the lowest was from Pahang [81.1% (95% CI: 75.06-85.91)]. Other Bumiputera
has the highest prevalence of children practising breastfeeding or bottle feeding just before
sleep or during sleep [97.8% (95% CI: 94.71-99.10)] compared to other ethnicities.
Giving plain water after breastfeeding or bottle feeding
The prevalence of children who did not drink plain water after breastfeeding or bottle feeding
was 54.1% (95% CI: 51.33-56.78). By state, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya had the highest
prevalence of children who did not drink plain water after breastfeeding or bottle feeding
[68.7% (95% CI: 61.45-75.21)] while Johor had the highest prevalence of children who
practiced drinking plain water after breastfeeding or bottle feeding [64.4% (95% CI: 55.91-
72.06)]. By ethnicity, those from the ‘other’ group [63.4% (95% CI: 54.99-71.05)] were
significantly higher than Malay [42.7% (95% CI: 39.48-46.02)] to skip giving plain water after
nursing. In addition, children from the lowest household income group of less than RM1000
[50.7% (95% CI: 42.61-58.68)] had higher prevalence of drinking plain water after
breastfeeding or bottle feeding as compared to other household income groups.
Children who sleep with a milk bottle in their mouth
The majority of children did not sleep with a milk bottle in their mouth [87.2% (95% CI: 85.43-
88.72)]. By state, Negeri Sembilan had the highest prevalence of children who did not sleep
with a milk bottle in their mouth [96.8% (95% CI: 92.38-98.72)] while the lowest was in Perak
[71.2% (95% CI: 63.86-77.64)]. However, there was no significant difference between sex,
age of mother, ethnicity, citizenship, marital status, education, occupation and household
income.
Sugar added to milk
Overall, almost all mothers did not feed their children aged 0-23 months with sugar added to
milk [98.9% (95% CI: 98.43-99.18)]. However, there was no significant difference by state,
sex, educational status, marital status and household income (Table 5.3.2.11).
Conclusion
This study indicates that early initiation of breastfeeding was more common among Other
Bumiputeras, mothers who were married, mothers who had a vaginal delivery, and mothers with
lower education levels. Apart from that, exclusive breastfeeding practices for babies below six months
of age was more common among Malay mothers, housewives and mothers with lower education
levels. We observed that mothers from rural areas tend to breastfeed longer than mothers from urban
areas. In addition, almost all children were fed appropriately according to their age. Overall acceptable
diet was relatively low especially in the state of Kelantan.
Recommendations
i. To establish a more supportive breastfeeding environment especially at the workplace and public
places such as the availability of facilities to breastfeed or express breast milk and to store
expressed breast milk for working mothers.
ii. To strengthen the breastfeeding education and support to mothers who delivered via caesarean
section and also address specific problems of breastfeeding among this group of mothers.
iii. To create awareness among parents or caregivers about the importance of dietary diversity for
children under two years and to provide specific infant feeding training to health care providers.
iv. To educate parents or caregivers on how to fulfil dietary diversity requirement for children under
two years old in order to improve nutritional status of children especially stunting among children
within this age group.