Go On, Supplement!

Archived under Sisters .

Assalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaah

For the brothers who read frequently visit, you are going to do nothing but cringe at this entry, unless you are a father. If you are a mother-to-be, a 'new' mother or the like, read on.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years; (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling."

My dear sisters, we know that breastfeeding is the best food source for our babies and it's best to breastfeed them for two whole years. Yes, as 'disgusting' or 'painful' it may sound, it's actually the best for our children.

The Department of Health have changed their minds again and have now said that:

As good as a mother's natural milk is, after the age of 6 months mothers who exclusively breastfeed need to think about the amount of vitamins and minerals their baby's getting. A condition that I have recently been made aware of is infantile osteomalacia - otherwise known as rickets.

Rickets occurs when there is am intake shortage of Vitamin D which in turn causes less calcium to be absorbed into the body. When enough calcium is not absorbed by the bone, it does not harden properly, and is too soft to support the weight of the growing body properly... worrying, yes? It is for this reason that the Department of Health have also recommended that mothers introduce 'solid' food into their baby's diet at around 6 months.

Human milk contains very little Vitamin D and being Muslimahs,[ie. we should be covered up] means that we'll be absorbing less Vitamin D in the form of sunlight into the skin, therefore it is of great importance that our babies receive supplementation of Vitamin D, whether in the form of letting them run 'loose' in the sun, or giving them fortified foods and drinks such as cereals, horlicks, milo etc. or dosing them down with plenty of cod liver oil!

So, as the title exclaims: Go on, supplement!

Was-salaamu 'alaikum

~ Umm Junayd