A cross-sectional study on the practice of wet nursing among Muslim mothers

Abstract

Background Breastfeeding and wet nursing have been synonymous since ancient times. The practice of wet nursing of another woman’s child in Malaysia is on the rise due to the emergence of awareness among the public about the importance and advantages of breast milk. However, problems arise when there is no systematic system to record and trace the milk mother and milk child data, especially for Muslim participants as milk kinship could affect their relationship status in Islam. Therefore, this study aims to determine the practice of wet nursing among Muslim mothers in Selangor. Simultaneously, this study intends to provide the authorities with an accurate picture of the more aggressive compilation of steps to prevent duplication of consanguinity in wet nursing. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 women who had breastfed another child in Selangor. Data were obtained using a validated questionnaire (Cronbach alpha = 0.8) and processed using the SPSS software. Results Results showed 43.0% of respondents had at least breastfed one someone else’s child. Meanwhile, there were 3.0% of the respondents were nursing seven to ten other children. A total of 237 children have been breastfed by the respondents (n = 100). Of these, 21.5% children were breastfed less than five times, while 78.5% children were breastfed less than five times. Most mothers recorded their milk child background data, and this shows that the community is aware of the importance of data documentation and it indirectly proves that the authorities should act on these current needs. Conclusions This study shows that there is a wet nursing practice in the society. Obviously, a phenomenon, trend and practice in the society has the ground and basis as to why it existed and is upheld. Researches related to wet nursing and matters connected to it should continue so as to bring about much good to society.

Exploring cultural determinants to be integrated into preterm infant care in the neonatal intensive care unit: an integrative literature review

“…Using human milk in Islamic societies necessitates the identification of the donor by the parents of the recipient to prevent future incest marriage between milk siblings; previous research noted similar findings [ 57 , 58 ]. The findings contradicted those of the studies conducted in Malaysia [ 59 ], South Africa [ 60 ], France [ 61 ], China [ 61 ], and Spain [ 62 ]. Another cultural consideration is the prohibition of non-Jewish mothers from wet nursing Jewish infants.…”

Perceived facilitators and barriers towards acceptability of human milk sharing among mothers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…The opposition centres on the belief called milk kinship, which states that a parent–child bond is formed when a woman gives milk to a baby who is not biologically related to her. To avoid future incestuous marriages between the so‐called milk siblings, the foster relationship must be clearly delineated 45,48,49 . This sentiment was cited among the participants who did not support milk sharing.…”

“…To avoid future marriages between the so-called milk siblings, the foster relationship must be clearly delineated. 45,48,49 This sentiment was cited among the participants who did not support milk sharing. These reasons have been echoed elsewhere, 45,[50][51][52] and efforts have been made in some Islamic countries to address concerns about milk kinship in relation to milk banking practices.…”

Donor Breast Milk Banking: Knowledge and Attitudes of Iranian Mothers

“…Religious concerns are considered a major factor for not accepting donated milk in Islamic countries (Ozdemir et al, 2015; Özdemir et al, 2021); however, human milk donation is allowed in Islam and is even considered a virtue. Yet, according to Islam Sharia, sucking milk from the breast of other mothers or accepting donated breast milk leads to kinship between the donor women and recipient infants ((Ergin & Uzun, 2018; Norsyamlina et al, 2021). The infants who receive donor milk are considered milk siblings with the donor mother’s biologic children; thus, their marriage is prohibited just as with biologic siblings (Ergin & Uzun, 2018), which complicates human milk donation programs in Islamic countries (Ozdemir et al, 2015).…”