Abstract

The pattern of motor skills development and growth at 3 – 6 months infants are affected by nutrition. Exclusive breastfeeding is the best for infants feeding and nutrition. World Health Organization (WHO) recommended to breastfeed exclusively and continuation of breastfeeding for 2 years or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant. In Indonesia exclusive breastfeeding administration hasn’t reached the expected rate (42.3%), whereas exclusive breastfeeding for six months has significant effect in growth and development. This study aimed to determine the differences in motor skills development and growth of exclusive breastfeeding and nonexclusive breastfeeding infant. The method is cohort study that selected the participants by consecutive sampling. Total participants are 60 infants divided into two groups according to the type of nutrition. Statistical analysis revealed that breastfeeding infants have significantly differed in motor skills development at 3 months (p = 0.001), but no significant difference in motor skills development at 6 months (p = 0.952). Average increase of weight, length, and head circumference presented the group of exclusive breastfeeding significantly differed compare to nonexclusive breastfeeding (p < 0.05). The result confirmed that infant who are breastfed exclusively develop better motor skills and growth for first 6 months of life and this study recommend to breastfeed exclusively.