Indonesia’s National Population and Family Planning Agency is urging proper birth spacing, ideally 24-36 months apart, to support optimal breastfeeding and reduce the risk of maternal and child mortality. A United States Agency for International Development study recommends a three- to five-year age gap between siblings. Short birth intervals risk stunting and malnutrition, and the agency is calling for increased support for Special Allocation Funds and Family Planning Operational Assistance to maximize such efforts. West Sumatra province has a high total fertility rate and a stunting prevalence of around 25.2%, above the national average.

The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) in Indonesia is urging people to maintain proper birth spacing to support mothers in providing exclusive breastfeeding to their children. BKKBN head Hasto Wardoyo recommends a 30-month interval between births to optimize breastfeeding benefits. Adjusting birth spacing can also reduce the risk of maternal and child mortality. Studies have shown that the ideal age gap between siblings is three to five years. Non-optimal breastfeeding, especially in the first 1000 days of a child’s life, due to short birth spacing poses a high risk of malnutrition and stunting among children. West Sumatra province, with a relatively high total fertility rate and a stunting prevalence of 25.2%, highlights the correlation between stunting and short birth spacing. BKKBN suggests the use of contraceptives to provide mothers time for breastfeeding and asks regions to increase and absorb Special Allocation Funds and Family Planning Operational Assistance. BKKBN encourages exclusive breastfeeding to prevent stunting in children’s growth.