The relationship between birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding on the height of toddlers aged 1-5 years in Mekanderejo village, Kedungpring district, Lamongan regency

Background:  The occurrence of stunting or height that is not appropriate for age in children under five is a health issue that needs attention in Indonesia. Stunting can cause growth failure, delays in cognitive and motor development, metabolic disorders, and reduced intellectual capacity. This study aims to analyze the relationship between birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding with the height of children aged 1-5 years in Mekanderejo Village. 

Methods: This type of research is an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design. Data collection was conducted using primary data through questionnaires containing the characteristics of mothers and children and secondary data from the respondents' MCH books. Data analysis used the Chi-Square test. 

Results: The results of the study showed that there were still 8 (10.96%) children born with low birth weight, 28 (38.36%) children with a history of not being exclusively breastfed, and 6 (8.22%) children with very short height. The bivariate Chi-Square test results showed a p-value of 0.035 (<0.05), indicating a significant relationship between birth weight and child height, and a p-value of 0.047 (<0.05), indicating a significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and child height. 

Conclusion: These data indicate a relationship between birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding with the height of children aged 1-5 years in Mekanderejo Village.