My thoughts on breastfeeding

It's been 4 months now that i've been on this breastfeeding journey. It's been quite tough with the engorgement, the sore nipples, the lack of family support (i'm the 1st in my family history to tbf..), Sofea not able to latch on my left breast for the 1st month because of forceful letdowns.. The never ending 'well-meaning advices' to start on formula asap else, my child will be malnourished.. haha how ridiculous is that? NOTHING in this world can beat Allah's milk for our children.

Allah made breastmilk to be so perfect that it's of the right quantity and composition (complete nutrients, calcium and fats), of right temperature, it's hassle-free (no purchasing or sterilising of bottles required)and completely free!

And breastfeeding in my opinion is so unique. A newborn's waking hour is only for nursing and a baby will recognise the mother when she's breastfed thru her smell. A newborn can only see shadows which is the distance between the breast and mommies' eyes! So it's only the mommies they see.. Subhanallah! So yes, despite the difficulties i faced initially to breastfeed, I will never trade it in for the bonding sessions I have with my child. She will stare at my face while nursing, examining and memorising my features and then break out into a huge grin as if to say .. thank u mommy, i love u too! And sometimes we hold hands during nursing like this..

:)

In one article I read (see below), it is a fact that besides being healthy, bfed kids are known to be close to their mothers and will give their utmost respect, obedience(taat)and love to the parents. Besides the bonding sessions, it's your blood that's flowing thru your baby's body that makes them grow bigger and healthier by the day. Literally, your own flesh and blood.

Breastmilk is in fact white blood. It's composition is exactly the same as your normal blood but it has no red blood cells and it's high in calcium. And so great is that the status of a nursing mother because while it is a natural thing, it's not an easy feat to tbf in today's world where mommies have to go work. But Allah is fair. With every drop of milk dat the child receives, warrants 1 pahala. Should a mother die while nursing, it's considered mati syahid. And if the mother successfully nurses her baby for the recommended 2 years, maka malaikat dilangit khabarkan berita bahawa syurga wajib baginya. Of course, if u ask me, i bfeed not for the rewards but for the health and wellbeing of my child.

Sofea's doctor was also encouraging me to breastfeed for 2 years. I hope I can achieve that target. I'm working from home right now so it's feasible to direct latch but 2 years.. hmm. Heck, I'll do anything for Sofea's sake but pumping will for sure bring down my supply. I dunno, maybe with Allah's willing 2 years is possible. Anyway I still have to figure out exactly why the Quran states 2 years of breastfeeding. I knew a few who bf beyond 2 years. I've read somewhere that while it's not haram to bf beyond 2 years, the nutrients however is not sufficient for a growing toddler and by then toddlers should be able to stomach solids and adult food. So instead of breastfeedig as a need, it's more of pampering the kid. Also i reason, 2 years of breastfeeding is enough for that strong bond to develop between babies and mommies. In Islam it is the child's right to be breastfed and it's the mother's duty to bf the child.

Sofea's doctor did also point out that bf babies are very close to moms, some to the point of being clingy. Hmm i dun agree with the clingy part coz i knew a couple of bf mommies with very independent babies and reason being, they receive enough maternal love and touch to be emotionally stable and not feel insecure but, we shall see..