Which one do YOU prefer?
Which one has more benefits?
Which one has more drawbacks?
Well, the answer differs according to everyone’s different preferences.
Just flip the pages of history and find out if bottle feeding was practised centuries ago?
What about breastfeeding?
Well Dear Reader!
According to the Quraan and Hadith, the Arabic word;
الرضاعة
Has appeared to mean Breastfeeding
This proves that 1400 years ago, breastfeeding was the only practice done to a new born baby.
In fact we also get additional information that those who lack breast milk, would send their babies to nursing mothers who would breast feed them.
A good example is our beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallahu alayhi wassalam, he was nursed by Sayyidah Halima.
Look at the incident of prophet Musa Alayhi ssalaam when he was a baby , after his mother dispatched him into the river and left him by the Guidance of Allah, he reached the palace of Firaun and what happened next?
They were trying to find a nursing mother for him.
Remember this was centuries ago, this proves that bottle feeding was not practised during those days.
Let’s analyse the critical situation those people were in compared to our present times,
They lack the basic necessities sometimes yet we even live up to junk food and desserts.
They lived in a desert , we live in an A/C house.
They had limited water supply and food yet we have surplus of everything we need.
We got bored?! We have the Net, yet with them there was no Technology.
What a Comfort! What an easy life! Everything is available at the tips of our fingers!
Inspite of all these blessings we give the same excuse or maybe we can say understandable excuse that we have no time, it is stressful, we can’t manage , we can’t take it, it’s too demanding, it’s difficult , I fear gaining weight, I fear losing my body shape, I don’t know how to do it.
Well my dear One!
Let’s talk,
It’s true breastfeeding is hard, it’s difficult, it’s demanding , it’s time consuming, it might even get to a point of being stressful, it requires your presence 24/7 for the first 6 months of a child’s development stage etc.
Well, slow down and Ponder over this question:
WHO ARE YOU DOING IT FOR?
How is that child related to you , O sister in Islam?
Why are you denying an innocent child his/her food without a proper understandable reason?
Where is Our Mercy,
O Mothers? Where is the Mercy that Allah has bestowed us with?
Always Know that Allah will reward you for your efforts in raising the Trust (Baby) that He blessed you with, and He can never bless you with something beyond your capability.
Hear from a mother:
“As I lay down my exhausted body in the bed beside the kids, reciting the night duas before sleeping, I can’t help but repeat these 2 verses over and over…
لا يكلف الله نفسا الا وسعها
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity…
لا يكلف الله نفسا الا وسعها
Allah does not burden me beyond my capacity.
لا يكلف الله نفسا الا وسعها
Allah will NEVER burden me beyond my capacity.
I’m stretching thin. I’m bending backwards. I’m hardly holding on…
but this IS my capacity. This is the most of me. This is the best of me!
Allah knows my capacity and He wants me to reach my full potential. I’m stronger than I think I am. For I’m carrying the weight of love. It feels like it will break my back but it’s also the support that’s helping me stand straight, stand tall!ربنا ولا تحملنا ما لا طاقة لنا به
Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. .
ربنا ولا تحملنا ما لا طاقة لنا به
Ya Allah! Don’t burden me with what I don’t have the power for…
ربنا ولا تحملنا ما لا طاقة لنا به
Ya Allah! Don’t burden me with what my shoulders can’t bear to carry!
These are the verses I hold as crutches. Crutches that help me keep going when my body gives up. These crutches help me keep walking when I can no longer rely on the strength of my spine…”
By: ayeina.com
This surely means we get tired, exhausted and the fact that raising a child is tough but all we need to know is that Allah can never burden you beyond your capabilities.
Not everyone is a mother, some long to be mothers and so we are chosen to be among the ones who would wear the tag of a “Mom.”
So, smile my dear sister!
For wearing that crown and tag of a “Mom.”
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT BREASTFEEDING
1.Breastfeeding causes your breasts to become droopy. It’s pregnancy, rather than breastfeeding, that may cause your breasts to change in size and shape after having a baby.
2. Gaining weight, it’s actually the opposite. Breast milk contains lots of fats deposits that are taken from your body to your child thus high chances of losing pregnancy weight in few months time.
3. My breast milk isn’t enough,Your body makes milk on a supply-and-demand basis, so your baby gets what he needs, every time he feeds.
If he’s formula-fed, your breasts will get the signal to make less milk.
With some situations, not being able to breastfeed is understandable, for example;
Unable to breast feed due to a disease.
Insufficient milk supply.
Latching Problems in babies.
Health problems in a baby.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
●Mixed feeding – is when your baby has formula milk and breastmilk
● Express milk
Usage of Breasfeeding accessories to ease your life e.g electric breast pump.
● Make sure you don’t have formula in the house as you’d be tempted to use it just because of its availability in the house.
● To pass the time while breastfeeding, utilise that peaceful time for something beneficial either replying your text messages, reading a book although it is advertised to have an eye contact with your baby as with that close proximity between the two of you means a lot for your baby.
● Set a reminder or note down at what time did you breast feed so that you can know after 2 hours or less there will be a demand for it again.
● Master the ABC technique of Breastfeeding
Formula Feeding
There would be times when YOU may need infant formula.
For mothers who are unable to breastfeed or who decide not to, infant formula is a healthy alternative. Formula provides babies with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
Some mothers worry that if they don’t breastfeed, they won’t bond with their baby. But the truth is, loving mothers will always create a special bond with their children. And feeding — no matter how — is a great time to strengthen that bond.
For more information read on:
Can I give my baby formula milk if I am not sure my breastmilk is enough? – BabyCentre UK
https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x8907/can-i-give-my-baby-formula-milk-if-i-am-not-sure-my-breastmilk-is-enough
The feeling a mother has when breastfeeding her child cannot be expressed in words, only breastfeeding mothers know what a close attachment that is and how that feeling is!
The result is;
Babies who are breastfed tend to feel more secure and are more healthy.
Read more on Psychological/emotional benefits :
So you want to experience it?
Simple, All YOU need is your Baby and You.
“Experts believe breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants.
However,breastfeeding may not be possible for all women. For many, the decision to breastfeed or formula feed is based on their comfort level, lifestyle, and specific medical situations.”
Weighing the pros and cons of each method can help you decide what is best for you and your baby.
REFERENCES:
The Sealed Nectar by Mubaarak Pur.
Breastfeeding your newborn – BabyCentre UK
https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1053595/breastfeeding-your-newborn
Breastfeeding tips from mums
https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1004703/breastfeeding-tips-from-mums
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/breast-bottle-feeding.html
Written by: Sr. Amatullah B.M.
TEAM IR
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