her[ in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be
grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the ]final[
destination."]Quran 31: 14[
In this article, we will shed light on some facts discovered by modern
medicine and study that confirm the Wisdom of Allaah, The Almighty,
and the completeness and perfection of Islam.
Human milk, the best food for babies, contains the right amount of
nutrients, in the right proportions, for the growing baby. A living,
biological fluid; it contains many unique components. For example,
lactoferrin )a glycoprotein that belongs to the iron transporter or
transferrinfamily( provides optimal absorption of iron and protects
the gut from harmful bacteria; lipases assist in digestion of fats;
and special growth factors and hormones contribute to optimal growth
and development. The mother's own milk changes during a feedingfrom
thirst-quenching to hunger-satisfying, and comes in a variety of
flavors as the mother's diet varies. Its composition changes as the
baby grows to meet the baby's changing nutritional needs.
Breastfeeding and the immune system:
Human milk is the baby's first immunization. It provides antibodies
which protect the baby from many common respiratory and
intestinaldiseases, and also contains living immune cells. First milk,
colostrum, is packed withcomponents which increase immunity and
protect the newborn's intestines. Breastfeeding as an infant also
providesprotection from developing immune system cancers such as
lymphoma, bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and celiac sprue, and
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, all of which are related to immune
system function. Additionally, breastfed babies generally mount amore
effective response to childhood immunizations. In all these cases,
benefits begin immediately, and increase with increasing duration of
breastfeeding.
Babies from families witha tendency to allergic diseases particularly
benefit from breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides protection against
allergies, asthma, and eczema.
Some conclusions come to by modern medicine concerning breastfeeding:
Breastfed babies:
Get sick less often and get less severe illnesses
Are hospitalized less often and have a lower rate of mortality
Have a lower risk of diarrheal disease
Have a lower incidence of gastrointestinal illness
Have a lower risk of urinary tract infections
Have a lower incidence of respiratory disease
Have a lower incidence of otitis media ear infections
Have a lower incidence of allergies
Have a lower rate of pneumonia
Have lower rates of obesity
Have a lower incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome )SIDS(
Have fewer learning and behavior difficulties
Breastfeeding:
Helps bond mother and child
Confers passive immunity
Is protective against measles and other communicable diseases
Provides optimal growth and neurological development
Prevents malocclusion and leads to better teeth and jaw development
Protects against hypothermia
Provides partial protection against necrotising entercolitis
Provides major protection against bacteremia and meningitis
Reduces the incidence of childhood lymphoma
Enhances visual development
Provides protection against neonatal sepsis
Is less risky for prematurebabies and low birth ratebabies
Artificially fed babies:
Have an increased risk factor for juvenile diabetes
May have impaired antibody response to vaccines
Have a higher risk of inflammatory illness
Have a higher risk of celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative
colitis,cholera, and neonatal hypocalcemic tetany
Have higher rates of middle ear infections, pneumonia, and cases of
gastroenteritis )stomach flu(
Benefits for the mother from breastfeeding:
Bonds mother and child
Provides the mother hormonal induced contentment
Encourages efficient uterine contractions afterchildbirth
Allows mothers to lose pregnancy weight and size faster
Is convenient since the milk is pre-warmed, clean and always available
Is cost effective and savesmoney
Contributes to natural family planning
Contributes to household food security
Fosters confidence and promotes self-esteem
Reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections
Is protective against cancer )breast, ovarian, cervical(
Lowers the incidence of chronic hepatitis
Reduces the incidence of osteoporosis
Reduces the requirements of insulin for lactating diabetic mothers
Breastfeeding and the environment:
Another important issue related to infant feeding and health is the
interaction between infant feeding method and the environment.
Breastfeeding is a completely natural, efficient use of resources.In
contrast, artificial feeding involves overgrazing of land by cattle;
use of chemical fertilizers to grow the soy; use of valuable
environmental resources for formula production; packaging and
transportation of the product; use of water and fuel for mixing the
product and heating it, for sterilizing bottles and nipples; waste
disposal ofthe cans, bottles, accessories, cartons, etc.
Despite this, the media and some environmental groups tend to play up
issues of environmental contaminants in mother'smilk. In fact, except
in situations of toxic spills or occupational exposureto hazardous
levels, breastfeeding has causedno ill effects in babies. Tothe
contrary, studies comparing breastfed andbottle-fed babies in the same
environment have shown better development and less cancer in the
breastfed babies.
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