Peer-reviewed article
Trends and Research Frontiers on Exclusive Breastfeeding Policy: A Bibliometric Analysis.
Simon Y, Hadju V, Dahlan C, Chaeroel Ansar M ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study analysed 449 research publications about exclusive breastfeeding policy from 2016 to 2025 to understand how the field is developing. Publications on this topic grew by about 19% each year, with peaks around 2020 and 2023 linked to COVID-19. Research themes have broadened from focusing mainly on child health to include maternal factors, workplace support, and health system resilience. International collaboration in research is increasing, though researchers from low- and middle-income countries still contribute less than those from wealthier nations.
Key points
- Annual growth rate in exclusive breastfeeding policy research was 18.57% from 2016-2025
- Publication peaks occurred in 2020 and 2023, partly linked to COVID-19 pandemic
- Research themes evolved from biomedical and child health focus to broader system-oriented perspective including maternal factors and workplace support
- International Breastfeeding Journal and Maternal and Child Nutrition were leading publication venues
- International collaboration increased but contributions from low- and middle-income countries remained limited
Limitations
This is a bibliometric analysis of publication trends rather than an evaluation of interventions or policies themselves, so it cannot tell us about the effectiveness of exclusive breastfeeding policies or programmes. The analysis reflects only published research available in Scopus and does not capture grey literature or unpublished studies.
Abstract
Background Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is vital for child survival, growth, and development, yet its promotion and protection remain challenging across diverse policy and health system contexts. Over the past decade, research on EBF policy has increased alongside global health priorities and emerging crises. This study examines publication trends, key sources and authors, collaboration patterns, and thematic evolution in EBF policy research from 2016 to 2025 using bibliometric analysis. Methods A bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus data retrieved with the query "exclusive breastfeeding" and "policy" for publications from 2016-2025. A total of 449 documents were analyzed based on publication trends, influential journals and authors, citation impact, collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic evolution. Results EBF policy research showed a consistent annual growth rate of 18.57%, with publication peaks in 2020 and 2023, partly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Breastfeeding Journal and Maternal and Child Nutrition were the leading journals, while Pérez-Escamilla, Agho, and Ogbo were among the most influential authors. International collaboration increased, although contributions from low- and middle-income countries remained limited. Research themes evolved from child health and biomedical determinants (2016-2019) to broader issues, including maternal factors, workplace support, nutrition policy, and health system resilience, with COVID-19-related challenges emerging after 2020. Conclusions EBF policy research has shifted toward a more holistic and system-oriented perspective. Strengthening policy frameworks, health systems, and equitable support mechanisms is essential to sustain progress in EBF promotion and protection.