MEDIA RELEASE
NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS WEEK: 11-17 May 2008
In the Name of ALLAH(GOD),the Most Compassionate,the
Most Merciful
"AND THE MOTHERS GIVING BIRTH TO THEIR CHILDREN SHOULD BREASTFEED THEM UP TO
TWO YEARS,IF THEY WANT TO COMPLETE THE LACTATION PERIOD."
(AL QUR'AN : Chapter 2,verse 233)
More than fourteen hundred years ago,before any medical knowledge on health
values and the benefits of breastfeeding was available,Islam recommended every
mother to
BREASTFEED her children up to the age of two years if the lactation period was
to be completed.
Similarly,the final prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) demanded that every
mother BREASTFEED her child when he said:
"BREASTFEED your child even from the water of your eyes !".
Evidence suggests that different prophets and the last prophet Muhammad(peace
be upon them),were all breastfed.
It is such a noble Divinly-inspired act to do that Islam allows a mother to be
paid financially for breastfeeding if she so wishes!
However every Muslim mother will be paid by ALLAH/GOD as the prophet
Muhammad(peace be upon him) has said:
"...for every mouthful and for every suck,(the woman) receives the reward of
one good deed..!"
Today,as the slogan BREAST IS BEST is displayed in every clinic,we know that
there are an increasing number of scientific and medical studies proving the
great health and psychological benefits for both :mother and baby in
breastfeeding.
Conversely,we are increasingly aware of the harm,damage and susceptibility to
diseases affecting children who are bottle-fed:skin and allergic
diseases,diarrhea,colic,gastro-intestinal diseases,obesity,kidney damage,lower
IQ,cot death etc....
It is also known that breastfeeding prevents the death of six million infants
annually by giving them:greater resistance against infections and
diseases,especially because of COLOSTRUM,in the first few days of
breastfeeding,as it is highly nutritious and full of antibodies(giving the
child:strong and permanent immunity against diseases: BEST IMMUNISATION..!).
Breastfeeding is important for the psychological health of children helping
them to grow up stable,mature, loving caring, and intelligent.
It is essential for BONDING between mother and child and through skin-to-skin
contact!
Breastfeeding is very beneficial to the mother too for the followings:
Lower chance of breast and ovarian cancer,less chance of obesity and
osteoporosis, and it helps to bring back the womb to its natural size after
childbirth.
Proper and full breastfeeding is one way of NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING if needed,
and is ideal for spacing children(LACTATION AMENORRHEA/LAM).
Breastfeeding is a HUMAN RIGHT for every woman!
Breastfeeding is very ECONOMICALl and saves us a lot of money!
UNICEF in Dhaka reported in 1996 that:
Mother's milk can save Bangladesh $500 million per year !
Breast milk is a natural wholesome pure healthy diet with the right formula
and constituents to the child..it is convenient,easy and at the right
temperature!
It is safe,easy to digest and is free!
It is great for the environment and to save waste!
If,for some reasons,the natural mother can not give her own milk,Islam
recommends that a "wet nurse"(another lactating woman) to breastfeeds her
baby..but precaution should be made to avoid the marriage between the children
of both women/mothers later.
ALL MUSLIM WOMEN SHOULD BREASTFEED THEIR CHILDREN AND OBEY ALLAH GOD AND THE
FINAL PROPHET MUHAMMAD, FOR THE HIGH REWARDS AND THE MANY HEALTH BENEFITS
FOR BOTH:CHILD AND MOTHER IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE LIFE AFTER!
ALL WOMEN OF THE WORLD SHOULD BREASTFEED THEIR CHILDREN FOR THEIR OWN SAKE
HEALTH HAPPINESS and SURVIVAL..AND FOR THE SAKE HEALTH HAPPINESS and SURVIVAL
OF THEIR CHILDREN...!
Some Websites on BREASTFEEDING:
www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk
www.abm.me.uk
www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
www.laleche.org.uk
www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com
www.ibfan.org
www.who.int
.................
DR A.Majid Katme(MBBCh,DPM)
Spokesman:Islamic Medical Association/UK
Leading the Muslim campaign for Breastfeeding
Radiobroadcaster
Tel: 00447944 240 622 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Address:Dr A.Majid Katme 31 North Circular Road Palmers Green London
N13 5EG UK
