Starting in October, the mothers in Indonesia are required by law to exclusively breastfeed their baby for six months. Babies have this right and the mothers must fulfill this obligation. Those mothers who refuse to breastfeed may go to jail for one year or pay a heavy fine.
Employers are required to help working mothers breastfeed. If they do not support breastfeeding in the workplace, the employer will also be fined.
Promotion of formula, bottles and pacifiers to the general public will not be allowed. Why is this country with the largest Muslim population doing this? Breastfeeding reduces infant mortality rates and protects babies for years to come against various physical, neurological, and behavioral problems.
Another country is interested in passing legislation requiring mothers to breastfeed for two years. The Muslim Rights Concern wants this law for Nigeria because children who have been breastfed for two years have been shown to be less prone to crime when they grow up. (Medications & More, July 2009)
For those who think this concept is crazy, that breastfeeding reduces crime, please read an older blog, dated October 5, 2008. http://nfpandmore.org/wordpress/?m=2008&paged=5
In the U. S. only 14% of the babies were exclusively breastfed for six months in 2006. Canadian mothers had the same rate in 2009, only 14% exclusively breastfed for six months. Obviously, grade schools and high schools need to educate students on the importance of breastfeeding. In the Cincinnati area one often sees a variety of billboards promoting breastfeeding, but one wonders if billboards alone can change a bottle-feeding culture.
Sheila Kippley
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood