Perilaku Menyusui Bayi pada Etnik Bugis di Pekkae, 2003

Breast feeding evaluation study in District of Barru in 1998, showed that about 99,0% infants and under five years old children is still breastfed. However, the newborn babies were not breastfed during the first hour but instead were breastfed in the first day (40,6%), second day (18,4%), and the third day (41,0%). Generally, the colostrum is given to newborn infant (83,2%) and most of the infant are breastfed (99,0%), but about 75% of the infant are given the prelacteal feeding. This research aimed to understand breastfeeding behavior in Pekkae community, at Tenete Rilau district, Barru regency. This study was conducted in a qualitative approach setting using ethnological and symbolic interactions approaches. Ethnological paradigm was used to understand mother’s behavior based on significant others and generalized other. There were 13 respondents involved in this study consisting of breastfeeding mothers living in Pekkae village, Barru regency. The result of this study showed that the behavior on breastfeeding closely associated with a cultural belief so – called ‘siri’, which is one of the important buginese cultures inspiring the buginese social livelihood. The behavior of buginese mothers from pregnancy until birth and breastfeeding can be considered as ‘significant others’ and ‘generalized others. This behavior is also attributed to ‘ininnawa madeceng’ (good hope) from the parents so that their children may become good people based on buginese normative culture. Key words: Breast feeding behavior, buginese ethnic