Breastfeeding - A Bounty from Allah



[Tammy Gharbi]
Al Jumuah Magazine

 

    Imagine for a moment that your doctor, at your next routine visit, tells you that he would like you to consider a new and better way of breathing. What it entails, he explains, is a patch that you will wear on your skin every day for the rest of your life.

This patch will replace the function of your lungs so that oxygen will come in through the patch and carbon dioxide will exit in a similar fashion. You should expect to pay about $200 a month for this new means of respiration. Yes, he says, there are some side effects. Patch wearers are not generally as healthy as "natural breathers," but the drug manufacturer assures the entire medical community that it is a very viable alternative to breathing.


What? Replace breathing? Why? Why would any human being take a normal, perfectly efficient function of the human body and replace it -- especially with a costly and risky substitute?

And yet this is exactly what is happening every day in America and around the world when families choose to artificially feed their babies. There is no other aspect of our physical existence that is more puzzling than the decision to replace what Allah has granted and, indeed, stipulated for our children's nourishment with an inferior substance.


Well, you might argue, there must have been something positive about artificial baby milk which has led to its present day popularity. Indeed, the origins or artificial feeding will likely surprise even those who are placing a can of something in their carts at this very moment.

In the 1800s, there was virtually no medical specialization. People went to the same doctor from cradle to grave and all members of the family saw the same physician. After delivering the child, women would complain to the doctor that they were very tired. "Of course," he would reply, "you just need some sleep. That baby is keeping you awake far too much." A "formula", he assured her, would do the trick. After a few minutes, the doctor would hand the new mother a small glass jar of this "formula," which he instructed her to give the baby at night. As it was unheard of to question medical authority, she never asked or was told that this "formula" was a concoction of Pet canned milk, Karo syrup and some vitamins.

Of course, the baby slept longer with this "formula" since the body is not made to break down non-breastmilk substances as easily. One mom told another and so the story goes. That is the origins of the multi-million dollar formula industry.

In the last thirty years or so, medical science has discovered and continues to discover the phenomenal properties of breastmilk and related benefits in the areas of oral development, psychological bonding and important health-enhancing consequences for the nursing mother. In stark contrast, there has been no research or evidence of any sort demonstrating a single benefit in artificial milk/feeding. In fact, the very labels and advertisements for artificial milk manufacturers bear witness: Breastmilk is best.

Babies who are breastfed have reduced incidence of ear and upper respiratory infections, diarrhea, diabetes, asthma and allergies, gastrointestinal illnesses and eczema.

An artificially fed infant is 16 times more likely to be hospitalized. Out of every 87 infant deaths attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), only 3 are breastfed. Breastfed babies have scored higher on IQ tests and have reduced incidence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Breastfeeding promotes healthier teeth/jaw/skull development. Mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer as well as osteoporosis. They also enjoy a speedier return to their pre-pregnancy state. And because breastfeeding is easier than artificial feeding, moms have more time and energy.

Furthermore, breastmilk is absolutely free. Even if you were able to have artificial milk at no cost, the health benefits in breastmilk are simply not for sale. Healthier babies require fewer trips to the pediatrician and less sick time for working parents.

The problem of artificial feeding is especially troublesome in America but not unique. In Singapore, an additional $1.8 million was required to pay for breastmilk substitutes when the breastfeeding rate fell from 71% to 42%.

In the UK, artificially fed babies with diarrhea illnesses was estimated to cost $41.5 hosptitalization costs alone. Other costs accompany artificial feeding: factory and human resources both for the production of formula as well as bottles and other paraphernalia.

Just imagine the number of trees required to produce labels, coupons and other propaganda. Indeed, propaganda is not too strong of a word. What else would describe an effort to convince you to purchase and use an inferior substance instead of Allah's creation?







 




 

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