A systematic bibliometric search was conducted using the Scopus database, chosen for its comprehensive coverage of peer-reviewed literature. The search query “exclusive breastfeeding” AND “policy” was applied to article titles, abstracts, and keywords. The initial search retrieved 9,495 records. To ensure relevance and consistency, records were filtered to include publications from 2016 to 2025 and written in English, resulting in 6,670 records. These records were subsequently screened based on titles, abstracts, and keywords to identify publications relevant to research on exclusive breastfeeding policy ( Ansar et al., 2026a, b). The study selection process and final inclusion of 449 documents are presented in detail using a PRISMA flow diagram ( Figure 1).

Studies were included if they: (1) focused on exclusive breastfeeding in relation to policy, regulation, or health system interventions; (2) were original research articles; (3) were published between 2016 and 2025; (4) were written in English; and (5) were available as full-text open-access articles. Studies were excluded if they: (1) were published outside the specified time frame; (2) were written in languages other than English; (3) did not address exclusive breastfeeding from a policy perspective; (4) were editorials, commentaries, conference abstracts, or reviews; or (5) were not accessible as full-text open-access articles.

Bibliographic data were exported from Scopus in formats compatible with bibliometric software. Extracted variables included authors, publication year, journal title, institutional and country affiliations, document type, citation counts, abstracts, and author keywords. Following full-text retrieval, the dataset was refined to include 449 eligible documents that met all inclusion criteria and were relevant to exclusive breastfeeding policy research.

Given the bibliometric nature of this study, a conventional methodological quality or risk-of-bias assessment was not performed. Instead, quality control was ensured through strict inclusion criteria, reliance on peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus, and systematic screening following the PRISMA flow diagram. This approach is consistent with established bibliometric research practices, which focus on research output characteristics, collaboration structures, and thematic development rather than study-level methodological quality.

Bibliometric analyses were conducted on the final set of 449 documents to examine publication trends, influential sources and authors, collaboration patterns, and thematic evolution in exclusive breastfeeding policy research from 2016 to 2025. Descriptive indicators such as annual publication output and citation performance were used to assess research growth. Co-authorship analyses explored collaboration networks among authors, institutions, and countries. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic mapping analyses were employed to identify major research themes and their evolution over time. The results were synthesized to illustrate the intellectual structure and development trajectory of exclusive breastfeeding policy research.

3.1.1 Main information on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) policy

The bibliometric dataset on EBF policy covers publications from 2016 to 2025, yielding a total of 449 documents across 153 different sources including journals, books, and conference proceedings ( Table 1). The annual growth rate of 18.57% reflects a steady expansion of scholarly interest in this field. On average, the documents are relatively recent, with an average age of 5.69 years, indicating that exclusive breastfeeding policy has emerged as a more prominent research focus within the past decade. This pattern is consistent with global health and policy agendas that have increasingly emphasized breastfeeding as part of the Sustainable Development Goals ( Requejo et al., 2015).

In terms of research visibility, the documents have received an average of 15.34 citations per publication, suggesting that studies in this domain are gaining traction and contributing significantly to wider academic discussions. While the absence of listed references in the dataset may reflect database extraction limitations, the presence of 1,890 Keywords Plus and 1,080 author’s keywords highlights the conceptual richness and multidimensional scope of this literature. The diversity of keywords suggests that exclusive breastfeeding policy research is not confined to health and nutrition but intersects with themes such as governance, maternal employment, and marketing regulation, aligning with previous findings on the multidisciplinarity of breastfeeding research ( Piwoz & Huffman, 2015; Baker et al., 2021).

The dataset also demonstrates broad author participation, with 3,485 contributing authors. Among these, 15 were single-authored publications, resulting in 15 single-authored documents overall. However, the majority of publications involve collaboration, as indicated by the average of 8.87 co-authors per document and an international co-authorship rate of 43.88%. This level of collaboration suggests that exclusive breastfeeding policy is increasingly recognized as a global issue requiring cross-country comparative studies and international partnerships. The rising trend of international collaboration mirrors similar patterns in maternal and child health research, where global networks have been crucial in advancing evidence-based policies ( Sweileh, 2025).

Regarding document types, most outputs are journal articles (380), followed by reviews (61), conference papers (4), and smaller numbers of editorials, erratum, and short surveys. The dominance of journal articles indicates that the field is primarily driven by peer-reviewed empirical and conceptual contributions, while the presence of review articles suggests an effort to synthesize and evaluate the growing body of evidence. The relatively small number of editorials and erratum may imply that exclusive breastfeeding policy is still a developing domain where journals serve as the primary medium for scholarly exchange. This distribution reflects broader trends in health policy research, where journal articles are the main vehicle for both academic visibility and policy influence ( Donthu et al., 2022).

3.1.2 Publication trends

The annual distribution of publications on EBF policy from 2016 to 2025 demonstrates a clear overall growth trend, despite some year-to-year fluctuations. The field began with a relatively small number of publications in 2016 (19 articles), and a temporary decline was observed in 2017 (16 articles), indicating the early development of EBF policy as a distinct area of scholarly attention. Furthermore, publications increased modestly in 2018 (31 articles) and afterwards till 2025, with over 40 records, suggesting renewed research interest and growing policy engagement.

The highest number of publications was recorded in 2025 (88 articles), reflecting intensified global attention to breastfeeding policy issues. This growth period coincides with increasing policy discussions surrounding maternal protection, workplace breastfeeding support, and regulation of breast milk substitute marketing, as well as heightened concern for maternal and child nutrition during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend indicates that EBF policy research has gained sustained momentum over the past decade, establishing itself as an increasingly important area of public health and policy scholarship.

3.1.3 Most relevant sources

The analysis of the most relevant sources identifies the key journals contributing to the dissemination of EBF policy research over the study period. The International Breastfeeding Journal is the leading outlet, publishing 61 articles, reflecting its strong specialization in breastfeeding promotion, maternal and child health, and policy-related issues. This prominence is consistent with its role as a central platform for global discussions on breastfeeding practices and policy implementation, including the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes ( Rollins et al., 2016). The Maternal and Child Nutrition journal follows with 31 articles, underscoring its influence in advancing research on maternal and child nutrition and related policy interventions.

Several multidisciplinary and open-access journals also make substantial contributions to the field. PLOS ONE (21 articles) and BMC Public Health (13 articles) provide broader public health perspectives, facilitating the integration of breastfeeding policy research into wider health and population-based discussions. Similarly, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (12 articles) highlights the increasing intersection between breastfeeding, environmental health, and sustainable development agendas ( Emmott, 2023). Additional specialized outlets, including BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (11 articles), Nutrients (9 articles), BMC Pediatrics (7 articles), BMJ Open (6 articles), and Frontiers in Nutrition (6 articles), further demonstrate the multidisciplinary nature of EBF policy research. The distribution of sources indicates that while the field remains strongly anchored in specialized maternal and child health journals, it is increasingly disseminated through interdisciplinary and open-access platforms, reflecting the complex and multi-sectoral character of exclusive breastfeeding policy research.

3.1.4 Most relevant authors

The author-level analysis indicates that research on EBF policy over the past decade has been shaped by several highly productive scholars. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla stands out as the most prolific author, contributing 10 publications (fractionalized 2.28). His extensive work is well recognized in the field, particularly on the impact of breastfeeding policies, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), and the role of socio-political contexts in shaping maternal and child health outcomes ( Pèrez-Escamilla et al., 2019). His prominence underscores the centrality of evidence-based advocacy in strengthening global breastfeeding programs.

Following closely are Kingsley E. Agho and Felix A. Ogbo, each with 8 publications (fractionalized 1.49). Both have made significant contributions to the understanding of socio-demographic determinants of breastfeeding practices, particularly within the African and Asia-Pacific regions. Their studies highlight disparities in breastfeeding uptake and explore how maternal education, employment, and health systems influence EBF practices ( Ogbo et al., 2017). Such findings are crucial in informing context-specific policy strategies to improve breastfeeding outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

Other notable contributors include Al-Jawadleh AE, Buccini GDS, and Page AN, each with 6 publications, as well as Kimani-Murage EW, Nguyen TT, and Unar-Munguía M with 5 publications each. Their research spans diverse issues, from marketing of breastmilk substitutes and community-level interventions ( Hromi-Fiedler et al., 2019) to structural barriers facing women in urban Africa ( Kimani-Murage et al., 2015). The presence of Ahmed TJ (4 publications) and others indicates that EBF policy research is characterized by a collaborative and multidisciplinary authorship pattern, supported by the average of over five co-authors per document in this dataset.

The prominence of these authors reflects a research community that is both globally distributed and highly collaborative. The literature shows that leading voices such as Pérez-Escamilla and Agho have played pivotal roles in linking empirical findings with advocacy and policymaking, thereby shaping the global breastfeeding agenda. The diverse geographic focus of these scholars further emphasizes that exclusive breastfeeding policy is not a uniform challenge, but one deeply embedded in cultural, economic, and political realities across regions.

3.2.1 Most cited documents

The analysis of the most cited documents highlights key studies that have shaped EBF policy research over the past decade ( Table 2). Highly cited publications mainly focus on determinants of EBF, policy implementation, and population-level patterns, emphasizing the applied and policy-oriented nature of the field. The most cited study by Kimani-Murage et al. (2015) examines barriers to implementing WHO breastfeeding recommendations in urban poor settings, reflecting strong scholarly attention to structural challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Other influential works, including Pérez-Escamilla and Buccini ( Pérez-Escamilla et al., 2019), have stimulated global debate on the relevance and feasibility of the six-month exclusive breastfeeding recommendation, while studies by Ogbo, Agho, and Page ( Ogbo et al., 2015, 2019) provide large-scale evidence on socio-demographic and health system determinants of EBF.

Additional highly cited contributions, such as the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) Index developed by Pérez-Escamilla and Buccini ( Pérez-Escamilla et al., 2018), offer important policy frameworks for assessing national readiness to scale up breastfeeding programs. Studies on suboptimal breastfeeding practices in Nigeria further highlight the influence of socio-economic and health service factors on EBF outcomes. Overall, citation patterns indicate that EBF policy research is strongly grounded in population-based evidence and policy evaluation, with a growing focus on implementation challenges, equity, and scalability. This trend reflects the field’s shift toward a more policy- and systems-oriented approach to improving breastfeeding practices globally.

3.2.2 Source impact

The impact of sources on EBF policy research can be assessed using bibliometric indicators such as the h-index, g-index, m-index, and total citations (TC) ( Table 3). Among the sources, the International Breastfeeding Journal shows the highest influence, reflecting both a high volume of publications and sustained citation impact over time, and positioning it as a central platform for breastfeeding research and policy discussions ( Rollins et al., 2016). This is followed by Maternal and Child Nutrition, which also demonstrates strong and consistent scholarly influence. Other specialized journals, including Breastfeeding Medicine and the Journal of Human Lactation, further highlight the important role of discipline-specific outlets in translating clinical and research evidence into policy-relevant knowledge ( Pèrez-Escamilla et al., 2019).

In addition to specialized journals, multidisciplinary outlets such as PLOS ONE and BMC Public Health contribute to expanding the reach of EBF policy research to broader scientific audiences, enhancing its visibility and cross-disciplinary relevance. Similarly, journals like Nutrients and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reflect the integration of breastfeeding within wider public health and nutrition contexts ( Pérez-Escamilla et al., 2023). The findings reveal a dual pattern in which specialized journals drive citation impact, while multidisciplinary platforms amplify dissemination, ensuring both scientific rigor and broader policy influence ( Sinha et al., 2015).

3.2.3 Author impact

The author impact analysis highlights key scholars who have shaped EBF policy research over the past decade. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla emerges as the most influential author, with strong bibliometric indicators and a substantial number of citations, reflecting his leading role in breastfeeding research, particularly in relation to the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), global policy frameworks, and social determinants of maternal and child health ( Pèrez-Escamilla et al., 2019). Kingsley E. Agho and Felix A. Ogbo follow closely, both demonstrating significant impact through large-scale epidemiological studies on breastfeeding practices, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where they identify important socioeconomic and health system determinants of EBF ( Ogbo et al., 2017).

Other contributors, including Al-Jawadleh AE, Page AN, Buccini GDS, and Kimani-Murage EW, further illustrate the diversity of research areas, ranging from structural barriers and policy implementation to community-level challenges and formula marketing regulation ( Kimani-Murage et al., 2015). Overall, the findings indicate that EBF policy research is driven by a relatively small but highly influential group of scholars whose work integrates empirical evidence with policy advocacy. Their sustained contributions and collaborations play a crucial role in translating research into global guidelines and strengthening the overall impact of breastfeeding policies ( Victora et al., 2016).

3.3.1 Co-citation analysis

The co-citation analysis reveals the intellectual structure of EBF policy research by identifying frequently co-cited authors and their scholarly clusters ( Figure 2). Two main clusters emerge. Cluster 1 is centered on Pérez-Escamilla R, who shows high influence and connectivity, alongside authors such as Buccini GDS, Chen H, and others. This group focuses on breastfeeding promotion, hospital-based initiatives, and regulatory frameworks such as the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, emphasizing the importance of institutional and policy-level drivers in shaping EBF outcomes ( Pèrez-Escamilla et al., 2019).

Cluster 2 is led by Kimani-Murage EW, who plays a central role in research on contextual and community-level determinants of breastfeeding. Together with authors such as Ickes SB and Kavle JA, this cluster examines socio-cultural, economic, and health system factors affecting EBF practices, particularly in low- and middle-income countries ( Kimani-Murage et al., 2015). The analysis highlights two complementary research streams: one focused on global policy and advocacy, and the other on local implementation and contextual realities. The integration of these perspectives is essential for advancing effective and context-sensitive breastfeeding policies ( Victora et al., 2016).

3.3.2 Collaboration networks

The collaboration network analysis highlights the importance of transnational partnerships in EBF policy research ( Figure 3). Argentina emerges as a key hub, maintaining strong research connections with countries such as Bahrain, Cyprus, Finland, Estonia, and Bulgaria, indicating active co-authorship and participation in multinational initiatives on maternal and child health ( Victora et al., 2016). The country also shows notable collaboration with Congo, reflecting the growing role of South–South partnerships in addressing shared challenges among low- and middle-income countries. However, weaker or negative collaboration patterns with countries such as Gambia and Guatemala suggest uneven research connectivity, likely influenced by differences in funding, academic networks, and policy priorities.

These findings confirm that international collaboration plays a crucial role in enhancing research visibility, impact, and policy relevance in EBF studies. Cross-country partnerships not only increase citation potential but also support knowledge exchange and policy transfer across diverse contexts ( Moed et al., 2005). In line with previous studies, global initiatives and coalitions in breastfeeding promotion rely heavily on such collaborations to strengthen advocacy and monitor progress. The central role of Argentina further highlights the growing contribution of Latin America in bridging collaborations between high-income countries and other LMICs.

3.4.1 Keyword co-occurrence

The keyword co-occurrence analysis highlights the main thematic structure of EBF research, with dominant terms such as “human,” “breast feeding,” and “female” acting as central nodes within a single large cluster ( Figure 4). These keywords, along with related terms like “infant,” “newborn,” and “mother,” indicate that the literature strongly emphasizes the maternal–child health relationship as the core focus of breastfeeding research. High betweenness values suggest that these terms connect various subtopics, reinforcing the central role of breastfeeding as both a biological and public health concern. This pattern shows that much of the research remains grounded in biomedical and clinical perspectives, where maternal and infant health outcomes are the primary focus ( Wang et al., 2021).

From a broader perspective, this trend aligns with global research patterns that prioritize nutritional, developmental, and disease prevention outcomes in breastfeeding studies. However, it also suggests a relative underrepresentation of broader determinants such as workplace support, social environments, and structural inequalities. Previous studies highlight the need to expand the focus beyond individual-level factors to include systemic and policy-related influences on breastfeeding practices. Therefore, while the keyword network demonstrates strong research density around core biomedical themes, it also reveals important gaps in addressing social, economic, and policy dimensions of EBF ( Wang et al., 2021).

3.4.2 Thematic evolution

The thematic evolution analysis shows a clear shift in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) research priorities over time, reflecting increasing thematic specificity and broader policy orientation ( Figure 5). During 2016–2019, research was dominated by general themes such as child and human, focusing on infant health, child development, nutritional status, and socio-demographic risk factors. In 2020–2022, these broad themes evolved into more focused clusters, including breastfeeding, mother, and preschool child. This transition reflects a growing emphasis on maternal determinants, workplace and social support, nutrition policy, stunting, and health system interventions, in line with global nutrition agendas and the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the most recent period (2023–2024), thematic evolution was strongly influenced by global disruptions, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. Research attention shifted toward hospital-based practices, maternal health services, and adaptations of breastfeeding support policies such as the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. At the same time, continuity in core themes related to maternal and child factors persisted. Overall, the thematic evolution highlights a progression from predominantly biomedical and child-centered perspectives toward more integrated approaches that incorporate policy, health systems, and social environments, underscoring the increasing complexity and maturity of EBF research.