Breastfeeding+in+the+Islamic+Middle+East

By Jillien Kahn

According the the Qur'an:

"Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' prvision and their clothing according to what is acceetpable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and ho father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and conslutation, there is no blame upon eitherof them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is not blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Alla is Seeing of what you do." (Al-Baqaray: 233).

=Wet Nursing=

There are three understood forms of kinship in Islam: blood, marriage, and milk mother (Moran & Gilad, 2007). Due to The Prophet Muhammed himself being wet nursed by Halimah bint Abi Dhu'ayb, who was a very important presence throughout The Prophet's life and is important piece of the story of Islam (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014), wet nursing is a huge part of Islamic folklore and culture, with many historic and modern laws navigating it (Moran & Gilad, 2007).

=Turkey=

Turkey has a very high 98% breastfeeding rate (McLachlin & Forster, 2006), perhaps partly due to the fact that the activity is celebrated, with discreet breastfeeding in public allowed (Cardamamma, 2011)

= Iran =

Iran is very breastfeeding friendly, providing ample education to mothers at birth. Breastfeeding is common for up to 6 months, becoming progressively less common as age increases, with rates of 90% for up to 1 year, 57% at 2 years, less in rural areas (Olang, Heidarzadeh, Srandvik, Yngve, 2009).

=Jordan=

In Jordan, breastfeeding is common up to 6 months of age (Abuidhail, Al-Modallal, Yousif, & Almresi, 2014), with 53.8% of women breastfeeding exclusively and 30.3% mixed ( [|Khassawneh], Khader, Amarin, & Alkafajei, 2006). While breastfeeding is common and discreet public breastfeeding is accepted, it is customary to keep children indoors for the first year, making public breastfeeding rarely seen (Griswold, 2012).

=Abu-Dhabi=

Abu-Dhabi is the only country that has made breastfeeding legally required for the full two years, stating that breastfeeding is the right of all children (Salem, 2014).

=Afghanistan=

Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest nations, with 13% infant mortality rates, 35% unemployment, 37% are below the poverty line, and 55% of children under 5 are malnourished (UNICEF, 2014). Lack of education, funding, and access to resources greatly decrease breastfeeding rates. In addition, there is a taboo due to lack of discussion around women’s bodies (UNICEF, 2014).

To make formulas last longer, families often dilute them with water which leads to malnutrition (UNAMA, 2014).

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= References =

Abuidhail, J., Al-Modallal, H., Yousif, R., & Almresi, N. (2014). Exclusive breastfeeding in Jordan: Prevalence, duration, practice, and barriers. //Midwifery, 30//(3).pp.331-337. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2013.01.005.

Cardamamma (2011). Turkey with a baby? It’s fabulous! What you may want to know before you go. Retrieved from http://cardamomma.com/2011/10/25/turkey-with-a-baby-its-fabulous-what-you-may-want-to-know-before-you-go/

Encylopedia Britannica. Halimah bint Abi Dhu'ayb. Retrieved 10/27/14 from [].

Griswold, J.C. (2012). Breastfeeding in Jordan. //In Culture Parent.// Retrived from []

Kassawneh, M., Khader, Y., Amarin, Z., & Alkafajei, A. (2006). Knowledge, attitude, and breastfeeding in the north of Jordan: A cross-sectional study. //International Breastfeeding Journal, 2.// Retrieved from []

McLachlin, H.L. & Forster, D.A. (2006). Initial breastfeeding attitudes and practices of women born in Turkey, Vietnam and Australia after giving birth in Australia. //International Breastfeeding Journal, 1//(7).pp.1-10. doi: [|10.1186/1746-4358-1-7]

Moran, L. & Gilad, J. (2009). From folklore to scientific evidence: Breast-feeding and wet-nursing in Islam and the case of non-perpetual lactation. //International Journal of Biomedical Science, 3//(4). pp.251-257. Retrieved from []

Olang, B., Heidarzadeh, A., Strandvik, B., & Yngve, A. (2009). Breastfeeding in Iran: Prevalence, duration and current recommendations. //International Breastfeeding 4//(8). doi: 10.1186/1746-4358-4-8.

Salem, O. (2014). FNC passes mandatory breastfeeding clause for Child Rights law. //The National: UAE.// Retrived from http://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/fnc-passes-mandatory-breastfeeding-clause-for-child-rights-law

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanastan (UNAMA). (2014). World breastfeeding week spotlights issue of nutrition in Afghan infants. Retrived from []

UNICEF. Afghanistan: Health and nutrition. Retrieved November 2, 2014 from []