Allah {SWT} said: “Mothers shall breastfeed their children in two complete years…” {Surah Baqarah v 233}
Cotabato City. The verse 233 is reflected in the Nutritional Guidelines for Muslim Filipinos developed by National Nutrition Council ARMM (now BARMM) together with Bureau of Madaris and Muslim Religious Leaders in 2016. This ayah (verse) is an order from Allah {SWT} to the mothers for their infants to suckle or breastfeed the complete period of suckling, which is two years. Majority of Ulamas (Islamic Scholars) explains that the breastmilk is prepared food for the newborn and not to put burden to the parents.
The Department of Health is mandated to lead by Senate Bill No. 2026, An Act Declaring the month of August of every year as “National Breastfeeding Awareness Month”, which this bill sought to promote awareness and practice of breastfeeding being superior in terms of advantages compared to bottle-feeding. This year’s theme is,” Sama-samang Itaguyod Tamang Kaalaman at Kalinga sa Pagpasuso”. This is focused on the importance of breastfeeding among 0-23 months old babies and advancing advocacy to support, protect, and promote breastfeeding to ensure that all mothers and/or caregivers have the opportunity to breastfeed.
The WHO and UNICEF jointly recommend the early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour from birth; exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; and introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.
Experts said exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months has many benefits for the infant and mother. Prominent among these are protection against infections including diarrheal diseases, prevention of malnutrition, and promotes maternal and infant bonding, which is observed not only in developing but also among highly industrialized countries. The risk of mortality due to diarrhea and other infections can increase in infants who are either partially breastfed or not at all. The breastmilk is also an important source of energy and nutrients in children aged 6–23 months. It can provide half or more of a child’s energy needs between the ages of 6 and 12 months, and one third of energy needs between 12 and 24 months.
Based in the 2020 data of Ministry of Health BARMM, percentage of Exclusive Breastfeeding until 6 months is 62.49%, Lanao Del Sur has the highest percentage with 91% followed by Maguindanao with 68%, Tawi-tawi with 61%, Sulu with 43% and Basilan as the lowest with 17%.
Reference: https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/34522832!.pdf
https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/2/233/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
Author: NO II Maleja Daud Jaamil, MD
