© Igor Balasanov / Getty Images A mother breastfeeds her newborn.
When it comes to infant nutrition, the experts agree that breast is best. But should government be legislating lactation?
That's what is happening in the United Arab Emirates. Last week, the Federal National Council's Health, Labor and Social Affairs committee passed a clause in its broad Child Rights law making breastfeeding a "duty, not an option, for able mothers."
Members of the committee ultimately declared, after what was described as "a marathon debate" that every infant has the right to be breastfed for the first two years of life, according to a report in
the National.
Under the law, a wet nurse would be provided for women unable to breastfeed for health reasons.
Still, the minister of social affairs voiced concerns about the enforcement of such a law. "If the law forced women to breastfeed, this could lead to new court cases," said Mariam Al Roumi, according to the
National's report.
Among the concerns was the type of repercussions that could come from a mother's neglecting to nurse: Would a husband be permitted to sue his wife? How else might a mother be punished?
Many in the U.S. have been reacting to the notion of legislating what a woman should do with both her own body and her own child.
Comment: 12 years on, Afghanistan is in worse condition than it ever was. Thanks for nothing America.