Child Nutrition

There are many traditions narrating the rewards of breastfeeding, such as those narrated in the Importance of Motherhood section in Chapter 5, where the breastfeeding mother has been likened to one who fights for Alla-h (swt) , and if she dies during this time, she attains the reward of a martyr.

Importance of Breast Milk

It is narrated from the Prophet (s): “For a child, there is no milk better than the milk of the mother.” 227 The Prophet (s) has also said that there is nothing that can take the place of food and water except milk. 228 Likewise, it is narrated from Ima-m ‘Ali- (as) that for a child, there is no milk that has more blessings than the milk of a mother. 229

Breastfeeding is not only feeding your child, but is the exchange of love and strengthening of the soul. When the child is feeding, he/she can hear the sound of the mother’s heart and this leads to relaxation and calmness. Breastfed children tend to be healthier and sounder in terms of bodily and spiritual health and psychologists believe that breastfeeding keeps children happy and content and even has an effect on their Akhla-q.

Being breastfed is one of the rights of a child and is also counted as the right of a mother, and has been strongly recommended in the Noble Qur’an and traditions. Indeed, its benefits are widely accepted in the world today. Of course, it should be kept in mind that breastfeeding is only recommended if it does not pose any risk to mother or child.

Notes:

227 Mustadrak al-Wasa-il, vol. 15, pg. 156

228 Tibb an-Nabi-, pg. 25

229 al-Ka-fi-, vol. 6, pg. 40

Adapted from the book: "From Marriage to Parenthood; The Heavenly Path" by: "Abbas and Shahin Merali"