Penyusuan Susu Ibu dari Pandangan Islam

Apabila seorang bayi dilahirkan ke dunia ini, dia memerlukan ibunya. Bayi itu perlu diberi makanan yang diserap melalui darah ibunya semasa di dalam kandungan. Makanan ini telah ditukar dengan kehendak dan kuasa Allah kepada susu yang mengandungi semua kandungan penting dan perlu untuk tumbesaran bayi itu.

Al-Quran ada menyebut tentang penyusuan ibu dan perhubungan antara bayi dan ibu susunya iaitu apabila ibunya tidak dapat menyusu dengan sebab-sebab tertentu maka ibu susu diupah untuk menyusuinya. Jika si ibu tidak dapat menyusukan anaknya sendiri, adalah menjadi tanggungjawap si bapa mencarikan ibu susu untuk anaknya.

Ini jelas dinyatakan dalam Al-Quran dari firman Allah SWT yang bermaksud, 

"Para ibu hendaklah menyusukan anak-anaknya selama dua tahun penuh, yaitu bagi yang ingin menyempurnakan penyusuan. Dan kewajiban ayah memberi makan dan pakaian kepada para ibu dengan cara yang makruf. Seseorang tidak dibebani melainkan menurut kadar kesanggupannya. Janganlah seorang ibu menderita kesengsaraan karena anaknya dan juga seorang ayah karena anaknya, dan waris pun berkewajiban demikian. Apabila keduanya ingin menyapih (sebelum dua tahun) dengan kerelaan keduanya dan permusyawaratan, maka tidak ada dosa atas keduanya. Dan jika kamu ingin anakmu disusukan oleh orang lain, maka tidak ada dosa bagimu apabila kamu memberikan pembayaran menurut yang patut. Bertakwalah kepada Allah dan ketahuilah bahwa Allah Maha Melihat apa yang kamu kerjakan."

(Surah Al-Baqarah: 233) 

"Dan Kami perintahkan kepada manusia (berbuat baik) kepada dua orang ibu-bapaknya; ibunya telah mengandungnya dalam keadaan lemah yang bertambah-tambah, dan menyapihnya dalam dua tahun. Bersyukurlah kepada-Ku dan kepada dua orang ibu bapakmu, hanya kepada-Kulah kembalimu."

(Surah Luqman: 14) 

"Kami perintahkan kepada manusia supaya berbuat baik kepada dua orang ibu bapaknya, ibunya mengandungnya dengan susah payah, dan melahirkannya dengan susah payah (pula). Mengandungnya sampai menyapihnya adalah tiga puluh bulan, sehingga apabila dia telah dewasa dan umurnya sampai empat puluh tahun ia berdoa: "Ya Tuhanku, tunjukilah aku untuk mensyukuri nikmat Engkau yang telah Engkau berikan kepadaku dan kepada ibu bapakku dan supaya aku dapat berbuat amal yang saleh yang Engkau ridai; berilah kebaikan kepadaku dengan (memberi kebaikan) kepada anak cucuku. Sesungguhnya aku bertobat kepada Engkau dan sesungguhnya aku termasuk orang-orang yang berserah diri."

(Surah Al-Ahqaaf: 15) 

Dari ayat "Para ibu hendaklah menyusukan anak-anaknya selama dua tahun penuh, yaitu bagi yang ingin menyempurnakan penyusuan.", kita dapati pendirian seperti berikut:

1. Adalah kewajipan ibu untuk menyusui bayinya dan menyempurnakan haknya untuk menikmati dan mendapat kebaikan susu ibu, jika dia mampu.
2. Tempoh penyusuan susu ibu bagi mereka yang ingin memenuhinya ialah dua tahun. Ini jelas dinyatakan dalam Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 233, seperti yang dinyatkan di atas.
3. Bapa sepatutnya membantu ibu yang sedang menyusu dengan menyediakan keadaan yang ibu itu perlukan untuk menyusu. Ini menunjukkan yang Islam menganggap penyusuan susu ibu itu sebagai kewajipan utama yang ibu patut laksanakan. Disini, ibu tidak patut dibebani dengan kerja yang lain. Adalah jelas di sini bahawa al-Quran sudah menjelaskan hak ibu yang sedang menyusu.
4. Jika bapa tiada atau sudah meninggal dunia, salah seorang ahli keluarga (wali/waris anak) harus mengambil-alih tanggunggjawab terhadap bayi dan ibu untuk meneruskan penyusuan.
5. Menceraikan susu adalah dibenarkan sebelum tamat tempoh dua tahun dengan syarat. Keputusan ini dibuat setelah mendapat persetujuan kedu-dua ibu dan bapa, setelah mereka membincangkan kebaikan dan keburukan keputusan yang dibuat serta cara untuk memberi penjagaan yang rapi kepada anak.
6. Ibu yang mampu dan boleh menyusui bayinya adalah di galakkan mengupah orang lain untuk menyusukan bayinya. Islam memerintahkan bapa untuk memberi upah kepada ibu yang menyusukan anaknya. Dengan cara ini, Islam memastikan anak itu mendapat segala keperluannya dalam tempoh penyusuan itu.

Allah telah memenuhi segala keperluan bayi dan susu yang dihisap olehnya tiga hari pertama dalam kehidupan bayi. Buah dada ibunya akan menghasilkan sejenis cecair berwarna kekuningan iaitu kolestrum yang terdapat dalam kuantiti yang kecil. Cecair ini sudah cukup untuk memenuhi segala keperluan makanan bayi dalam hari-hari pertama kehidupannya. Tambahan pula ia membantu bayi untuk mula menerima dan mencernakan makanan yang dihisapnya. Dalam masa 24 jam buah dada ibu menghasilkan susu yang diperlukan untuk makanan bayi sehinggalah dia mencerai susu.

Ibu yang enggan menyusui bayinya tanpa sebab yang munasabah telah mengabaikan satu tanggungjawab hakiki terhadap bayinya yang telah diamanahkan oleh Allah. Penyusuan susu ibu dapat menjalinkan perasaan keibuan dan memperkayakan sifat kasih sayang. Selain dari apa yang diperkatakan tadi, penyusuan susu ibu menggerakkan sistem penghadaman ibu untuk menghasilkan makanan untuk bayi, dengan itu juga mempertingkatkan kesihatan ibu tersebut. Penyusuan susu ibu juga boleh menolong mengembalikan ibu kepada keadaan asal (sebelum bersalin) dengan cepat dan mengurangkan risiko barah buah dada dan ovari. 

PESANAN UNTUK KAUM BAPA 

Ibu yang menyusu bayi sangat mengharapkan sokongan dan galakan anda. Sokonglah dia jika dia membuat keputusan untuk menyusu. Sebagai bapa, anda adalah orang yang paling penting dalam memberi sokongan dan bantuan kepada isteri. Menggalakkan isteri untuk menyusu sendiri adalah permulaan terbaik yang dapat anda berikan kepada bayi anda. Dorongan dan kesabaran anda akan mengeratkan lagi perhubungan kekeluargaan dan ini akan memberi didikan positif terhadap anak-anak anda secara tidak langsung. Di saat menimang cahaya mata baru inilah keadaan isteri anda cukup memerlukan anda. Sebagai ketua keluarga, anda perlu pastikan ahli-ahli keluarga yang lain turut memberi dorongan dan sokongan kepada isteri anda yang baru bersalin. Nenek, datuk dan ahli keluarga yang lain juga dapat membantu dengan cara begini:

Belajar mengenai penyusuan ibu susu ibu dengan berbincang dengan ibubapa yang pernah melaluinya.
Peringatkan ibu bahawa bulan pertama selepas kelahiran adalah masa untuk belajar mengenai penyusuan.
Galakkan ibu untuk berehat.
Ibu yang menyusu perlukan keseimbangan diantara aktiviti dan rehat.
Cuba berikan bantuan dalam kerja-kerja seharian di rumah dan juga dalam penjagaan bayi.

Lindungi ibu dari mereka yang tidak bersetuju dengan penyusuan ibu. Perkara yang biasa didengar dan membuatkan para ibu rasa serba salah dalam usaha menyusukan bayi mereka adalah seperti:

• adakah anda pasti susu anda mencukupi?
• Kenapa bayi anda seringkali lapar?
• Mungkin anda perlu memberinya susu botol/susu berformula

Berikan perhatian kepada anak-anak yang lain agar mereka tidak merasa tersisih. Cubalah mememahami tentang perubahan emosi yang dialami oleh wanita selepas kelahiran.

Luahkan kata-kata perangsang untuk isteri seperti:

"Saya rasa lega awak dapat menyusu anak kita."
"Hari ini, biar saya saja yang masak."
"Tak sangka awak ni seorang ibu yang baik."
"Saya bangga bila tengok awak menyusu anak kita."
"Pergi lah berehat. Biar saya saja yang mandikan anak kita."

Bagi menjamin kejayaan menyusu:- 

• Dapatkan seberapa banyak maklumat mengenai penyusuan susu ibu sebelum kelahiran bayi anda.
• Bincang dengan isteri mengenai perkara-perkara yang membolehkan anda membantunya. Cuba kurangkan beban kerja rumah, saling membantu dan saling memahami antara satu sama lain.

BEBERAPA PANDUAN UNTUK BAPA 

Bayi yang menyusu susu ibu, biasanya kurang mengalami masalah seperti berikut:- 

1. Alahan
2. sakit telinga (otitis media)
3. kerap sakit teruk
4. dan dimasukkan ke hospital
5. cirit birit dan sembelit
6. kerosakan gigi.

Ini bererti anda:

1. tidak perlu kerap berjumpa doktor
2. menjimatkan wang perbelanjaan keluarga
3. mempunyai masa yang terluang untuk diri sendiri dan keluarga
4. adalah lebih mudah dan tenang untuk menjaga bayi yang sihat

Penyusuan susu ibu adalah yang terbaik untuk anak anda kerana:

1. Susu ibu mengandungi segala khasiat yang diperlukan oleh bayi (sila rujuk khasiat-susu- ibu)
2. Susu ibu berubah mengikut umur dan keperluan bayi.
3. Susu ibu lebih mudah dihadam.
4. Najis bayi menyusu susu ibu lebih lembut dan kurang berbau.
5. Susu ibu melindungi bayi daripada bakteria dan jangkitan lain.

Sumber: http://www.susuanibu-pk.gov.my 

*Thus it is so important to fully breastfeed your child... hmmm Oh ALlah please give me the strength to continue breastfeeding my baby with Jiddiyah and Istiqamah. This is my responsibility and I will be questioned in the Hereafter..... 

Penyusuan Ibu: Ayah, susukanlah saya!

Penyusuan Ibu: Ayah, susukanlah saya!0 komen

Oleh admin

Posted pada 31 Jul 2011 pada 2:57pm

artikel ini ditulis oleh Suria Irdayu Ahmad Zaidi, Pembimbing Ibu Menyusu dari Persatuan Pembimbing Ibu Menyusu,  Sempena Minggu Penyusuan Ibu Sedunia  “Berkomunikasilah Dengan Saya! Penyusuan Ibu: Satu Pengalaman 3D”

Nama juga sudah penyusuan ibu, sudah tentu tugas itu adalah tugas ibu. Cliché! Betul, secara fisiologi dan tabii memang penyusuan ibu itu dilakukan oleh ibu tetapi keputusan untuk menyusu ibu atau tidak, siapa yang patut menyusukan si anak dan menanggung perbelanjaan isteri yang menyusu ibu atau perbelanjaan ibu susuan adalah tugas mereka yang diseru dengan panggilan ayah/abah/papa/daddy/abi/abati.

Mengapa Ayah?

Dan ibu-ibu hendaklah menyusui anak-anaknya selama dua tahun penuh, bagi yang ingin menyusui secara sempurna. Dan kewajiban ayah menanggung nafkah dan pakaian mereka dengan cara yang patut. Seseorang tidak dibebani lebih dari kesanggupannya. Janganlah seorang ibu menderita kerana anaknya dan jangan pula seorang ayah (menderita) kerana anaknya. Ahli waris pun (berkewajiban) seperti itu pula. Apabila keduanya ingin menyapih dengan persetujuan dan permusyawaratan antara keduanya, maka tidak ada dosa atas keduanya. Dan jika kamu ingin menyusukan anakmu kepada orang lain, maka tidak ada dosa bagimu memberikan pembayaran dengan cara yang patut. Bertakwalah kepada Allah dan ketahuilah bahawa Allah Maha Melihat apa yang kamu kerjakan. (Surah Al-Baqarah:233)

Dari sudut seerah para Anbiya’, kita lihat Penyusuan Nabi Musa AS dan Penyusuan Nabi Muhammad SAW.

Nabi Musa AS dipungut oleh keluarga Firaun dan telah dipersetujui oleh Firaun untuk isterinya memelihara Nabi Musa AS. Firaun sebagai raja yang mengaku Tuhan itu telah bertanggungjawab untuk memanggil wanita-wanita yang mahu menyusukan Nabi Musa AS dan akhirnya dengan izin Allah, Nabi Musa AS disusukan sendiri oleh ibunya.

Nabi Muhammad SAW pula lahir sebagai anak yatim. Tanggungjawab sebagai ayah telah digalas oleh datuknya Abdul Mutalib. Dialah yang bertanggungjawab membuat keputusan untuk menyerahkan Nabi Muhammad SAW kepada ibu susua dan dia jugalah yang keluar mencari ibu susuan untuk Nabi Muhammad SAW. Ramai wanita-wanita yang ditanya enggan menyusukan Nabi Muhammad SAW kerana Baginda tidak mempunyai bapa. Namun, Halimatun As Saadiah tidak mahu pulang dengan tangan kosong, menerima tawaran Abdul Mutalib untuk menyusukan Nabi Muhammad SAW.

Dari ayat Al-Quran dan dua kisah di atas, kita dapat lihat peranan ayah/datuk dalam penyusuan ibu. Mereka harus menyokong dan menanggung ibu dan anak dalam tempoh penyusuan tersebut. Mereka juga harus mencari ibu susuan sekiranya isteri enggan atau tidak mampu untuk menyusukan anak mereka. Tugas ini juga harus digalas oleh waris / pengganti si ayah seperti yang dilakukan oleh Abdul Mutalib, datuk Nabi Muhammad SAW sekiranya si anak lahir sebagai anak yatim. Peranan yang digalas oleh ayah dalam penyusuan ibu ini jelas sekali mengangkat kedudukan ayah sebagai ketua keluarga dan pengemudi bahtera rumahtangga. Mereka mempunyai tanggungjawab yang besar dalam penyusuan ibu ini kerana mereka harus bertanggungjawab memberikan makanan yang terbaik untuk isteri dan anak yang baru dilahirkan. Sudah tentu makanan yang terbaik untuk bayi ialah susu ibu yang tinggi khasiatnya, dijadikan sesuai dengan keperluan bayi mengikut masa dan mudah diperolehi.

Namun, keputusan yang harus dibuat dan disepakati bersama ini sering diabaikan oleh  ibubapa disebabkan oleh kurang kesedaran dan pendedahan akan keperluan tabii si anak yang bakal lahir kepada penyusuan ibu. Apatah lagi dengan lambakan iklan-iklan susu formula di televisyen dan pemasaran yang efektif yang mereka lakukan di hospital-hospital khususnya dalam bentuk pemberian saguhati dan contoh susu formula secara percuma di kelas antenatal yang nyata bercanggah dengan tataetika pemasaran susu formula.

Sekiranya bayi yang baru lahir itu boleh berkata-kata, mungkin ayat ini yang akan diungkapkan kepada si ayah.

“Ayah, susukanlah saya!”

Suamiku..tulang belakangku...He is my friend, my guidance, my ALL...

Breast Feeding and Islamic Teaching

Mohammad Ali Al-Bar, MB, ChB, MRCP
Dr AI-Bar is a Consultant of Islamic Medicine
at the King Fahd Medical Research Centre,
King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

(Note from Islamic Garden Editors: The following are verses from theQur'an, the Holy Book of Muslims.)

"The mothers (including those divorced) shall nurse their children for two whole years if they wish to complete the period of nursing. The father shall bear the cost of their feeding and clothing on equitable terms. No soul has a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall suffer because of her child. Similarly the father should not suffer. The same duties rest upon the heir (that is, if the father dies). If they (that is, the parents) both decide on weaning (the child) by mutual consent and after due consultation they are not to blame. Also they are not to blame if they decide on a foster mother, provided they insure, in a fair manner the safety of the child."

"Remain conscious of God, and know that God sees all that you do." (Qur'an 2:233)

"His mother bore him by strain after strain. His nursing (suckling) period lasts two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents." (Qur'an 31:14)

"In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth, and her bearing and his suckling period took thirty months." (Qur'an 46:15)

"Let the women divorced (in the waiting period) live in the same house you live in and in the same manner, in accordance with your means. Do not harass them, and if they are pregnant spend freely on them until they deliver their burden. If they nurse your offspring, give them their due recompense. Counsel each other in a fair manner about the child's future. If you get in discord, let another woman nurse him; and the father should pay for the nurse."

"The wealthy should spend in accordance to his wealth, and the poor should spend in accordance to his income. God does not burden any soul more than it can bear."

"God will grant after hardship ease." (Qur'an 5,6:7)

From these verses we can understand the following points regarding the "nursing of the child."

• Mothers are encouraged to nurse their babies for a period varying from 16 to 24 months.

• Even if the mother is divorced, she should be supported in her nursing of her child for that period. The father should pay her cost of living as she will be fully occupied by nursing his offspring.

• If the parents are separated or divorced they should frequently counsel each other for the sake of the child's future.

• If it is decided that the mother cannot nurse the baby (for example, if she lacks milk in her breasts), then a wet nurse must be asked to help. The wet nurse in Islam is a foster mother; she is also considered as the child's mother. Her children become the baby's brothers and sisters, and her husband becomes another father for the baby. No marriage, however, is allowed between the baby and its foster mother's children, brothers, sisters and husband. The true father should pay the foster mother recompense.

• If the mother dies, the baby's heir should support both the nursing mother and her baby for the period of breast-feeding. The custody of the baby remains in the hands of the nursing mother.

During the reign of Khalifa Omer Ibn AI-Khatab, every Muslim in the community, except for new born babies up to and including the weaning stage, received social security benefits from Baitulmal, the Government treasury. When Omar noticed that mothers tended to wean their babies too early to get the benefit of social security he cried, "How many young Muslim souls you have deprived from their food O, Omar!" So he ordered that every new-born should get the subsidy from birth.

From Surah 2:233 and from Surah Al Hakaf 46:15 (Chapters from the Qur'an -ed.), Ali lbn Abi Talib deduced that the shortest period of pregnancy for a child to survive was six months.

It was not recognised until recently that a six-month-old baby can survive (outside the womb-ed.). Until the sixties it was taught in medical schools that viability is not possible before 28 weeks: that is, seven months.

The Islamic communities paid great attention to breast-feeding and wet nurses were very common until recently. Even if the mother nurses her baby it is not uncommon for a neighbor, relative or friend to breastfed the newcomer. Extended families also have the advantage of relieving the burden from young mothers.

If we remember that many girls marry at 15 or less, and boys under 18 too, then we are aware of their need for help and guidance from older generations.

I personally saw a lady in my clinic in Jeddah who became a grandmother at the age of 27. Al Imam AI Shafi saw a girl of 21 who had become a grandmother.

However, the tide of western civilisation is quickly changing the pattern of social and cultural attitudes in all Muslim countries. This is more pronounced in the urban areas. Breast-feeding is rapidly declining not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. There are many reasons such as the influence of the western and industrial culture, the dramatic changes in the structure of Islamic and Third World societies, and promotion of bottle feeding by multi-nationals. The baby food companies are the vital cause of the decline of breastfeeding in developing countries. The companies saw the potential of increasing their sales and profits to the large and rising infant population of the developing world. The sales of these companies to the Third World alone have already exceeded $8,000m annually.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) consider these companies as the number one killer of babies in the Third World and have strongly advised Third World governments to ban the advertising of manufactured baby foods.

Bottle-fed infants in the Third World often receive dilute and contaminated feeds containing little nutrients and massive doses of micro-organisms. It is estimated that 9.4 million cases of severe malnutrition occur in the Third World annually, of which at least half are due to bottle feeding.Similarly, there are annually about 10 million infant deaths due to GE in the Third World. At least half of them are due to bottle feeding.

Thus, we find 10 million babies die annually due to the widespread use of bottle feeding in the Third World. They can be saved by the simple measure of breast feeding.

All the bodies concerned with infant health, including WHO and UNICEF, stress the importance of breast-feeding, especially in the Third World. Breast feeding in these poor countries will not only save 2,000 million dollars annually that is badly needed for health and education, but also has many other advantages:

• Human milk contains the nutrition which a child needs, including the proportion and suitability for its body and digestion and absorption. The various nutritional elements are not static. They change daily, according to the infant's needs. A premature baby has a special formula prepared in his mother's breast to make it a suitable diet. Gracious and bountiful God provides the mammary glands with the know-how to adjust its secretions according to the variable and changing needs of the growing infant.

• Human milk is naturally stored at the right temperature making it completely aseptic and automatically adjusted to infant needs. It is always available on demand.

• It involves less work, as there are no teats or bottles to be cleansed or feeds to be prepared.

• It has definite psychological benefits, both to the nursing mother and suckling baby.

• Breast-feeding helps the mother to return to her pre-pregnant size and weight. It helps the uterus to involute under the effect of oxytocin secreted by the pituitary gland and released by reflexes through suckling.

• Breast-feeding protects the baby from many diseases and problems such as diarrhea and chest infections. Recent studies have proved that infants who are breast-fed are less liable to suffer from respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Those who do catch the diseases are less morbid and have a much lower mortality rate than those who are bottle fed.

• Human milk contains IgA specific antibodies in the mammary glands manufactured by lymphocytes that have migrated from the gut of the mother.

• The clostrum, which is the pre-milk secretion from the breast at parturition, contains a huge amount of antibodies. The IgA forms 97 percent of the cholesterol protein on the first day which falls to 25 per cent on the fourth day of lactation.

• Furthermore, breast milk supplies the infant with viable immunological cells and non-specific humoral factors. These provide both cellular and humoral immunity against a variety of organisms, especially E Coli, Staph areus, Coxackie B5 virus, Herpes Simples virus, polio virus and Pneumococcus.

• The lacteal antibodies against entero bacteria are largely of IgA class. They are synthesised in the mammary gland by the B-Lymphocyte migrating from the mother's gut.

• Further studies have shown that antitoxins against Vibreo cholera and E Coli are secreted in the colostrum and are not absorbed by the intestine of the baby, remaining as protective barriers in the infant's gut.

• Similarly, cholesterol cells secreting anti E Coli antibodies have been detected in mothers who ingested the antigen. Antibodies to other bacteria or antigens have been detected. Recently, tuberculin sensitive mothers were found to pass a long lasting immunity to their infants by breast feeding.

• Breast feeding is crucial in providing humoral and cellular immunity, especially in the infant's first weeks, as the infant is less susceptible to gastro-intestinal and respiratory infections.

• Cow's milk and other types of non-human milk are more liable to cause sensitivity and allergy in the bottle-fed infant. The infant is more liable to get eczema, bronchial asthma and gastro-intestinal upsets caused by sensitivity to the proteins of the non-human milk.

• The colostum not only contains high amounts of cellular and humoral-immune bodies, but also has a laxative effect which helps discharge the muconium of the new born baby.

• It is no wonder, therefore, to find breast-fed infants thriving better and less liable to infections and immunological diseases.

• It has the advantage of being a contraceptive measure in itself. It has been found that if the lactating mother is somewhat debilitated the contraceptive effect of breast feeding is enhanced.

• It is also suggested that breast-feeding may decrease the incidence of breast cancer.

• The Holy Qur'an has stressed the importance of prolonged breast feeding. The advantages of prolonged breast-feeding are starting to be known. Recent studies have shown that breast fed infants may not need complementary or supplementary feeding during the first nine to 12 months.

• The psychological benefits for both the nursing mother and the baby are well established.

• Human milk contains PGE2 which acts as a zinc ligand while cow's milk contains none. Zinc deficiency is, therefore, more liable to occur in bottle-fed infants or after premature weaning of breast-fed infants. Zinc deficiency causes acute or chronic dermatological manifestations. The acute ones are characterised by vesiculo pustular eruptions with marked erythema that turns into haemorrhagic erosive lesions with crusts, mainly around the body orifices (mouth and perianal region), and extremities.

• Verrucous patches on the extremities are chronic manifestations, with eczema, alopecia, nail dystrophy, paronychia and angular stomatisis being common.

• A rare hereditary autosomal recessive disorder "Acrodermatitis Enteropathica" is associated with zinc deficiency. Manifestations of the disease only occur if the baby is bottle-fed or weaned prematurely. Acrodermatitis Enteropathica is a persistent dermatitis manifested by a vesicular rash around the mouth and extremities. The vesicles soon crust and thicken and become secondarily infected with bacteria or candida. It is also associated with diaorrhea, T. cell mediated immunity deficiency, absent thymus, lack of germinal centres and plasmocytosis of lymph glands and spleen. Plasma zinc is also low. The management of this type of case depends on both prolonged breast feeding and zinc supplements.

Islamic teaching encourages mothers to nurse their children. The renowned Ibn Hazim said, "A mother should nurse her baby even if she was the daughter of the king. She is not exempted from that duty, unless she is incapable of nursing."

The nursing mother should be financially supported by the husband, even if she is divorced. If the father dies, his heirs should support her fully during lactation. If there is no heir, the government takes responsibility.

If Islamic teachings are adhered to many evils that befall children and their mothers could be avoided.

Islamic World Medical Journal
July/August 1986/D.Qudah 1406
Pages 55, 56 and 57

Breastfeeding is NATURAL...

Nurturing Through Breast Feeding

"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length, when he reach the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, 'O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favor which thou hast bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents....'"

Holy Quran 46:15

Family Life Question: 

"Breast feeding our new baby will be a new experience for me, and I'm concerned about providing an adequate amount of milk. What are some helpful things to know?"

Dear New Mother:

It is from the breast that "the milk of human kindness" literally flows. Human milk contains thousands of nutrients, some of which are not found anywhere else in nature. It is very specific in its design for the optimum growth and development of the human infant.

Breast feeding is a part of the continuation of life, that is evolving in the manner Allah has ordained. Breast feeding is natural. We have abandoned many of the beautiful natural things that Allah has given to us that would assure the sanctity of human life. We need guidance to adhere to the more natural ways of life that are in accordance with Allah's universal order. 

"There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance dependeth on Allah."

 (Quran 11:6)

Not only are the physical qualities of breast milk best, the emotional and spiritual bonding that takes place between mother and child is immeasurably vital to life. Breast feeding encourages bonding for the entire family. Allah has given the woman the role of nurturer of life, the role of providing the warmth, comfort, security and compassion that sets life on the best course.

There are many herbal remedies for breast feeding mothers. More than 30 herbs are considered to promote healthy milk producing. Nutritionists advise the widely know herb, fenugreek. Dr. Mohammed El-Shatet of Fouad University in Cairo, Egypt, reports in Mothering magazine (July-Sept. 1988) that fenugreek could increase breast milk production by as much as 900 percent. Mothers who had experienced their babies failing to gain weight found that infants thrived when they began drinking fenugreek tea. Even adoptive mothers have been able to produce milk for their babies after drinking this tea regularly. (3)

The effectiveness of an herbal remedy is dependent upon its preparation. Healing qualities are increased when herbs are grown in a kitchen garden with loving care and without pesticides and herbicides. There are natural pros and cons to using herbs while breast feeding: herbs may flavor milk; some herbs that affect the infant and are as potent as pharmaceutical products; herbal remedies may alter the composition of milk; herbs can influence the quantity of milk. When there is any room for concern, consult a nutritionist and always consult your caring physician.

Breast feeding is one way that Allah has given us as mothers to nurture life and through it, Allah wants us to feed our young ones the physical, emotional and spiritual food vital to life. Studies have revealed that "African" youth who are breastfed and carried about on the mother's back as she goes about through the day are among the youth with the highest intelligence levels in the world.

Kabongo, a Kikiyu chief in Africa, spoke these beautiful words about his mother when he was eighty years old: "My early years are connected in my mind with my mother. At first she was always there; I can remember the comforting feeling of her body as she carried me on her back and the smell of her skin in the hot sun. Everything came from her," as related in Touching the Human Significance of the Skin by Ashley Montagu. (4)

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REFERENCES:

3. "Herbal Remedies For The Breast feeding Mother, " Mothering, No. 48 (Summer 1988), p.69.

4. Ashley Montagu, TOUCHING The Human Significance of the Skin, (Harper and Row Publishers, 1978), p. 75.

The previous article is reprinted from Family Roots: The Quranic View of Family Life, by Mildred M. El-Amin, 1991, pp. 109-111, 219, 220.

Breastfeed your baby even if with your eye-drops … !

• In a very accurate scientific reference, the Quran determines the period of lactation with almost two years.  In verse 14 of Surat Luqman: “And We enjoined on man concerning his parents- his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years.” (31:14)

الآية رقم (14) في سورة [لقمان]: (ووصينا الإنسان بوالديه حملته أمه وهنـًا على وهن وفصاله في عامين)
 

It is understood that lactation for two years is not a must, but a complete period; “Mothers shall breastfeed their children for two whole years, for such as desire to complete the term ” ( 2:233)

            ( وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلاَدَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ  ) – البقرة 233.

There are many benefits of breastfeeding , some of them will be discussed here :

For the mother:
- Protects against post-partum uteritis.
- Helps stop bleeding resulting from delivery, thus preventing loss of extra blood..
- Helps uterine restore normal size and place quickly after delivery.
- Prevents the recurrence of pregnancy with a rate of more than 98%, without contraceptives.
- Protects the lactating mother against breast and uterine cancer.

For the baby:
Breast feeding protects the baby from viral infections, as it contains immunity agents.
· It protects against food allergy, as it is free of protein that causes such kind of allergy, and which is usually found in extracted and manufactured cows milk.
It prevents shortage of calcium in the baby’s blood, thus helping to construct strong bones.
It returns with spiritual and psychological benefits to the baby, as it helps build a well composed, righteous and straight personality, and strengthens the spiritual and passionate links between the baby and the mother.
As revealed in a research published in Pediatric Clinics of North America in February 2001, the mental abilities of babies who receive breast feeding from their mothers are stronger and higher than otherwise, and the longer the period of breast feeding, the higher the mental abilities are.
It was shown that mother’s milk also provides protection against cancer. After showing that the incidence of the lymph cancer observed in childhood was nine times greater in formula-fed children, they realised that the same results applied to other forms of cancer. According to the results, mother’s milk accurately locates the cancer cells and later destroys them. It is a substance called alpha-lac (alphalactalbumin), present in large quantities in mother’s milk, that locates and kills the cancer cells. Alpha-lac is produced by a protein that assists in the manufacture of the sugar lactose in the milk.
In addition to some practical benefits of breast feeding. The milk is always ready with steady and appropriate heat, fresh, sterilized, digestible and saves money and time !
Researchers indicated that breast feeding alleviates the baby’s fear of needle pricks and helps as analgesic during painful operations such as circumcision.
A new theory emerged in the recent years indicating that the protein in cows milk can cause a biological reaction that destroys the pancreatic beta cells excreting insulin. This theory is supported with the high rate of the presence of cow milk proteins in the serum of children with diabetes in comparison with study group of non-diabetic children.

But why is it that cows milk causes this harm before the second year, and then disappears after this period?

In a study conducted in Finland in 1994 and published in Auto-immunity Journal, the authors state that the protein of cow milk passes in natural form through the lining membrane of digestive system which is not yet fully grown. As the enzymes of the digestive system cannot break the protein into amino acids, the protein of cow milk enters as a complex protein and works as a catalyst to produce immunity agents in the body of the child.
New references reveal that enzymes and the lining membrane of the digestive system and kinetics of digestion and absorption do not attain complete function except in the second year after delivery.

Many studies stress on breast feeding in the first two years