The relationship between anxiety and breastfeeding among post-partum mothers at the Manduro Community Health Center, Ngoro District, Mojokerto Regency

Background: Breastfeeding is the process of providing milk directly from the mother's breast to the baby from birth. Exclusive breastfeeding plays a crucial role in infant health and strengthens the emotional bond between mother and child. However, not all postpartum mothers can immediately produce breast milk, which may impact the achievement of exclusive breastfeeding targets. The breastfeeding process in postpartum mothers is often hindered by various factors, one of which is anxiety. Anxiety can inhibit the milk ejection reflex by increasing stress hormones such as cortisol, which reduces the release of oxytocin. This study highlights the issue of low exclusive breastfeeding coverage, particularly at Manduro community health center, which has only reached 40% of the 50% target. One of the main obstacles to breastfeeding is delayed milk ejection, which is often influenced by postpartum maternal anxiety. Feelings of worry and uncertainty can hinder breast milk production and reduce mother-infant contact, thereby affecting breastfeeding success. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between anxiety and milk ejection in postpartum mothers at Manduro community health center.
Method: This study is an observational analytic research with a cross-sectional design. A total of 42 postpartum mothers were recruited using consecutive sampling techniques at Manduro community health center, Ngoro District, Mojokerto Regency. The collected data were analyzed using the Spearman rho statistical test. 
Results: The research results indicate a relationship between anxiety and breast milk production in postpartum mothers. It was found that 60% of respondents without anxiety experienced smooth milk production. Among respondents with mild anxiety, 60% (or the majority) experienced insufficient milk production. The majority (75%) of respondents with moderate anxiety also experienced insufficient milk production. Meanwhile, all respondents (100%) with severe anxiety experienced insufficient milk production. Statistical analysis shows a significant relationship between anxiety and breast milk production (p=0.040; r=0.318). 
Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between anxiety and breast milk production in postpartum mothers at UPTD Manduro community health center, Ngoro District, Mojokerto Regency.