In This Country Breastfeeding Is Now Required By Law
Men can now sue their wives if they don't breastfeed.
By Sadho Ram — 01 Feb 2014, 12:48 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Mothers in the United Arab Emirates will be required by law to breastfeed their babies up to two years of age under Child Rights legislation passed last week
The Emirates' Federal National Council has passed a clause, part of their new Child Rights Law, requiring new moms to breastfeed their babies for two full years, The National reports. Now, men can sue their wives if they don't breastfeed.
The Federal National Council’s Health, Labour and Social Affairs Committee agreed to a clause in the Child Rights law which makes breastfeeding a “duty, not an option, for able mothers”.
muslimvillage.com
According to the National, there was a "marathon debate" over the legislation, but it was ultimately decided that it is every child's right to be breastfed.
cafemom.comWhile it is not yet clear how the law will be enforced, committee member Sultan Al Sammahi said if mothers were neglecting their duties they could be punished
Another committee member Salem Al Ameri insisted that the right for all children to breastfeed up until the age of two was stated in the Quran.
The legislation was passed despite concerns from the Federation’s Minister of Social Affairs Mariam Al Roumi, who said such a law could lead to husbands suing their wives if they did not breastfeed, according to news website The National.
muslimvillage.com
“This part of the law can be a burden,” she said. “If the law forced women to breastfeed, this could lead to new court cases.”
sheknows.com
In agreeing to the breastfeeding clause, committee members said the clause was “consistent” with local workplace laws which allow mothers time off during the day to breastfeed and would help promote a strong bond between mothers and their babies.
dailymail.co.ukHowever, not all new moms are able to nurse. In those instances, if a woman is prohibited by health reasons, the council will provide a wet nurse to her
It's unclear exactly how a mother's ability to breastfeed will be determined though. Carrie Murphy at Mommyish raises some additional questions about those exceptions.
"Where do the wet nurses come from? Do they live with UAE women and their families? How and who determines if you need one? Who pays their salary? .... And what about formula?"
mommyish.com
"Will it be sold in the country? Will it be contraband? Will you need a prescription for it? Some babies actually need formula rather breast milk and some babies can’t digest anything with milk at all, either formula OR breast milk."
mommyish.com
Council members are trying to improve rights for working moms to make the legislation more practical. But, unsurprisingly, mothers' support groups have raised issues that go beyond logistics.
Marie-Claire Bakker, a member of the La Leche League and cultural ethnologist, an international breastfeeding support group, said breastfeeding was a deeply personal experience and “this relationship and bond cannot be legislated”
She said a comprehensive public information campaign about artificial milk and natural breast milk could encourage mothers to choose the natural way.
thenational.ae
“Breast milk is the natural nutrition for the human infant and contains everything they need to grow and develop normally,” Ms Bakker said. “Breastfeeding gives a child so much more than just food and drink – it is also about building their immune system and a healthy gut, and love, affection and bonding.
muslimvillage.com
Ms Bakker warned the law would put more stress on new mothers and this would be detrimental to families.
sfgate.com
“At this vulnerable time, to think of criminalising a new mother who, for whatever reason, is struggling with breastfeeding is not helpful ... She needs informed support, not threats," she told the National.