Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 33
Chapter 2: Pre-Birth and Infancy 33 family. On this point, the Qur ’ an says: “ If they both (parents) decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. ” 2. 9 According to the Qur ’ anic verse quoted above, it is considered a child ’ s right to be breastfed until approximately two years old, after which the child is encouraged to become more independent. Breastfeeding provides emotional and physical benefits to both mothers and babies. Breast milk is packed with disease-fighting substances in addition to all the nutrients and vitamins the baby needs and therefore is better for baby than formula. The Office on Women ’ s Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, reports that breastfed babies have lower risks of: asthma, childhood leukemia, childhood obesity, ear infections, eczema, lower respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), Type 2 Diabetes. ( www. womenshealth. gov ) Keeping Ties with Khilafat and Jama ’ at In spite of being rushed off one ’ s feet with feeding, cleaning and caring for a baby, it is important for a new mother to maintain her ties to Khilafat and the Jama ’ at. Otherwise, she may begin to feel lonely and isolated, especially if she is far from family. While the baby ’ s demands may not allow her to listen to the Friday Sermon as it is delivered, there are many ways to catch up with Hazrat Khalifatul- Masih ’ s (aba) Sermons on the Internet. Parents should also keep up the practice of writing to Huzoor (aba) regularly, asking for prayers for the newborn. It is up to the mother to decide when she feels ready to resume attendance at meetings and Jumu ’ ah prayers, but generally it is better to wait until the baby is at least 6-8 weeks old. However, a mother should keep in mind that if the baby causes a disturbance to others, especially during Salat , she should leave the area immediately and