Breast Milk (ASI) and the Wonders of Physiology: A Synthesis of Modern Science and Qur’anic Guidance in Maternal and Infant Health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59890/ijist.v3i12.226Keywords:
Marfan Syndrome, FBN1, Diagnosis, Multidisciplinary ManagementAbstract
Breast milk (ASI) is the most complete natural nutrition for infants, regulated through complex neuroendocrine interplay involving prolactin, oxytocin, estrogen, progesterone, GnRH suppression, and lactational amenorrhea. At the same time, the Qur’an outlines a detailed ethical and biological framework for maternal infant care, emphasizing a two-year period of breastfeeding (QS 2:233), postpartum recovery (40 days), and gestational duration (~9 months), forming a complete 3-year maternal child cycle.
This review synthesizes modern biomedical physiology, Qur’anic guidance, and community health implications to generate an integrated model for maternal–infant well-being.
A narrative–integrative literature review (2015–2025) was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and classical Islamic texts (tafsir, fiqh, hadith). Analysis followed thematic synthesis across physiology, neuroscience, public health, and Islamic law.
Four major themes emerged: endocrine physiology of breastfeeding. Qur’anic reproductive ethics and breastfeeding codes.
integrated biological–spiritual mechanisms of birth spacing. public health implications in Muslim communities. Qur’anic prescriptions for breastfeeding align with optimal physiological, hormonal, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Integrating Islamic ethical frameworks with biomedical science enhances maternal–infant health interventions, improves adherence to breastfeeding recommendations, and strengthens community-based health promotion.
References
Al-Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:233). In The Qur’an: English translation (2021). M. Khan & M. Al-Hilali (Trans.). Riyadh: Dar-us-Salam.
Hadits Riwayat Bukhari & Muslim (Menyusui dan Perawatan Anak). Dalam Sahih al-Bukhari dan Sahih Muslim, diterjemahkan.
Al-Bar, M. A. (2019). Contemporary bioethics in Islamic perspective. Jeddah: Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences.
Al-Bar, M. A., & Chamsi-Pasha, H. (2015). Contemporary bioethics: Islamic perspective. Springer.
Al-Qaradawi, Y. (2010). Fiqh of medicine: Ethical issues in the light of Islamic jurisprudence. Cairo: Dar al-Shorouk.
UNICEF. (2022). Global breastfeeding report: Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding. UNICEF Publications.
World Health Organization. (2021). Infant and young child feeding: Guideline. WHO Press.
Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J., França, G. V., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., … & Rollins, N. C. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475–490.
Lawrence, R. A., & Lawrence, R. M. (2016). Breastfeeding: A guide for the medical profession (8th ed.). Elsevier.
M. Hamdani. (2017). Pendidikan Agama Islam; Islam dan Kebidanan. Jakarta: Trans Info Media.
M. Hamdani. (2018). Kebidanan Komunitas. Jakarta: Trans Info Media.
M. Hamdani. (2019). Promosi Kesehatan. Jakarta: Trans Info Media.
Amir, L. H., & Donath, S. M. (2020). A systematic review of maternal physiological adaptations for lactation. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 16(2), e12985.
Dewey, K. G. (2017). Nutrition, growth, and complementary feeding of the breastfed infant. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 64(1), 67–85.
Brown, A., & Shenker, N. (2016). Breastfeeding and birth spacing: Impact of lactational amenorrhea on fertility. Human Reproduction Update, 22(6), 752–764.
Amir, L. H., & Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol. (2018). ABM clinical protocol 5: Peripartum lactation management. Breastfeeding Medicine, 13(1), 1–15.
Rollins, N. C., et al. (2016). Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices? The Lancet, 387(10017), 491–504.
Binns, C., Lee, M. K., & Low, W. Y. (2016). The long-term public health benefits of breastfeeding. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 28(1), 7–14.
UNICEF Indonesia. (2020). Breastfeeding and complementary feeding in Indonesia: National report. Jakarta: UNICEF Indonesia.
Abdurrahman, S., & Rosman, A. (2019). Integrating Islamic values in maternal-child health programs. Journal of Religion and Health, 58, 1223–1235.
Ghani, M. A., & Noor, N. M. (2018). Fiqh perspectives on breastfeeding duration and maternal health. Islamic Studies in Health, 7(2), 45–58.
Al-Akwa, A. H., & Al-Hakim, M. (2021). Lactation, fertility, and maternal physiology: A review from Qur’anic perspective. Journal of Islamic Health, 9(1), 12–28.
Barros, F. C., et al. (2017). Breastfeeding, maternal hormones, and infant growth: Evidence from cohort studies. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 21(12), 2295–2304.
Kramer, M. S., et al. (2018). Breastfeeding and child cognitive development: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 142(2), e20173729.
Horta, B. L., & Victora, C. G. (2013). Long-term effects of breastfeeding: A systematic review. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Grummer-Strawn, L. M., & Rollins, N. (2018). Investing in breastfeeding programs. Pediatrics, 141(1), e20173760.
Labbok, M. H., & Krasovec, K. (2017). Toward consistency in global breastfeeding recommendations. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 13(Suppl 1), e12405.
Saadeh, R., & Al-Shammari, A. (2019). Maternal health and lactation: Integrating Quranic guidance in modern practice. Journal of Islamic Medicine, 4(2), 85–94.
M. Hamdani. (2020). Promosi Kesehatan Era Digital. Jakarta: Trans Info Media.
World Health Organization. (2019). Infant and young child feeding: Model chapter for textbooks. Geneva: WHO Press.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 HM. Hamdani, Iman Tarmizi Taher, Subhan Muhit, Rahma Zakiyah Al Hamdani, Melawati

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

















