The prophetic foods consumption among exclusively breastfeeding mothers in Kuantan, Pahang: An exploratory study
The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) strongly advocate exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth as the optimal way of feeding infants. Nutritional inadequacy during breastfeeding period may lead to breastfeeding problems such as inade...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IIUM Press
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/70161/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/70161/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/70161/1/Siti%20Munirah%20et%20al%20%282018%29.pdf |
| Summary: | The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) strongly advocate exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after
birth as the optimal way of feeding infants. Nutritional inadequacy during
breastfeeding period may lead to breastfeeding problems such as inadequate milk
production which is a common reason to early breastfeeding termination.
Galactagogue is one of the solutions seek by breastfeeding mothers to overcome this
problem. Within the topic of prophetic medicine, scholars discussed the foods
consumed by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and their health benefits. Among the
plants mentioned in Islamic literature are F.carica (figs), O.europea (olive), P.granatum
(pomegranate) and N.sativa (habbatussauda). Studies on prophetic foods
consumption among lactating mothers is limited in the literature. Thus, the aims of
this study to explore on prophetic food consumption, among Malay mothers during
exclusive breastfeeding period. Ten subjects are interviewed by in-depth semistructured interview guide. Inclusion criteria include Malay mothers aged 18 to 40
years, deliver full term babies and were exclusively breastfeeding. Audio-recorded
interviews were transcribed verbatim in Malay and translated into English.
Translated transcripts were then analysed thematically with the help of NVivo
software. Thematic analysis revealed three themes that represents participants’
knowledge, attitude and practice on prophetic foods consumption. The themes were
1) prophetic diet is related to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)’s practice on foods and
eating manners, 2) perceived benefits and effectiveness of prophetic foods
consumption, and 3) Practice of prophetic foods consumption during exclusive
breastfeeding period. This study provides an insight to the understanding and
perception on prophetic foods consumption during exclusive breastfeeding period
among breastfeeding mothers. It is acknowledged that prophetic foods, particularly
dates may have lactogenic function. Further studies should be carried out to
investigate the relationship between prophetic foods consumption and lactogenic
activity. |
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