The role of <i>Raḍā‘at</i> (Breastfeeding) in child health: Perspectives from unani medicine and evidence-based medicine

Breast milk is nature’s gift for a baby and is considered the “gold standard” of infant nutrition worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months can reduce neonatal mortality by up to 22% and overall infant mortality by approximately 13%. Unani medicine strongly supports Raḍā‘at (Breastfeeding), as a mother’s milk is regarded as the most suitable and complete source of nutrition for infants. Breast milk enhances the developing immune system of neonates and strengthens the body’s defence mechanism against infection. Numerous health benefits of breastfeeding have been well documented, including protection against infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infections and ear infections. Breastfed children also have a lower chance of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, asthma and leukaemia. Despite these proven benefits, the exclusive breastfeeding rate in India remains below the global target, with many mothers discontinuing breastfeeding due to perceived milk insufficiency, socio-cultural beliefs, or inadequate lactation support. Therefore, all mothers should be motivated and supported to continue breastfeeding for at least six months and beyond to ensure optimal infant health. Unani medicine offers a comprehensive approach to promoting breastfeeding and effectively addressing problems related to insufficient lactation. Mudirr-i-Laban (Galactagogue) are drugs in the Unani system of medicine used to improve milk production in lactating mothers. This paper aims to review the health benefits of breastfeeding, encourage higher breastfeeding rates and also specify Unani guidelines and regimens for breastfeeding, alongside public health standards from the WHO to enhance breastfeeding effectiveness.