System Thinking and Causal Loop Analysis of Breastfeeding Status and Sustainability Strategies

This study aims to analyze the dynamics of breastfeeding (BF) continuation by identifying critical variables and systematic efforts from BF planning to continuation through systems thinking perspectives and causal loop analysis. Based on a comprehensive literature review, we constructed a causal loop diagram (CLD) that illustrates the dynamic complexity of BF continuation. The analysis revealed 11 main feedback loops: 3 balancing loops and 8 reinforcing loops, operating across three socio-ecological dimensions (individual, interpersonal, and social levels). The CLD effectively demonstrates key aspects of BF continuation through the identification of causal polarities, time delays, system boundaries, and ecological levels. The findings from this CLD analysis can provide valuable insights for BF policy planners and stakeholders in anticipating and understanding the multiple effects of both short-term and long-term interventions. Future research should focus on developing and validating a system dynamics (SD) model based on this CLD to further enhance our understanding of BF continuation dynamics.