Breastfeeding and the Bahá'í Faith

The Bahá'í Sacred Writings reference breastfeeding literally and symbolically and provide guidance as to its practice. Breastfeeding is endorsed as the ideal form of infant nutrition. The importance of breastfeeding is underscored by the exemption of breastfeeding women from fasting, as well as by the identification of breastfeeding as being linked to the moral development of children. Several of the central principles of the Bahá'í Faith, such as the equality of women and men and the harmony of science and religion, may engender attitudes that support the practice of breastfeeding. The implications of the Bahá'í Writings with regard to breastfeeding are explored and summarized here.