Research has shown an estimated 1.4 million child deaths could be prevented each year around the world if babies were properly breast-fed.
The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years- Al Quran
In Indonesia, where malnutrition rates are high and fewer than a third of babies are exclusively breastfed until they are 6 months old, the government is taking legal steps to ensure that breastfeeding is made as culturally acceptable as possible.
A new law stipulates that all babies should be breastfed for the first six months of life, and anyone who prevents a mother from doing that — a company, coworker, family member, etc — can face up to a year in jail and $11,000 in fines. The law also prohibits formula companies from promoting their products to mothers of babies who are less than a year old.
The government does not intend to lock up mothers who don’t breastfeed according to Minarto, director of nutrition for the Indonesian Ministry of Health.
“This law is intended to provide support to them,” said Minarto, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. “Women should be able to breastfeed in public areas — in an airport, an office. Owners should provide rooms for the mothers.”