Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is the feeding of babies and young children with milk from a woman's breast. Health professionals recommend that breastfeeding begin within the first hour of a baby's life and continue as often and as much as the baby wants. During the first few weeks of life babies may nurse roughly every two to three hours, and the duration of a feeding is usually ten to fifteen minutes on each breast.

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Breastfeeding . Infant

Is it permissible to breastfeed my baby over 2 years if the baby has been unwell in his last days of reaching the age of two?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

Yes it is permissible if the child still needs to be breastfed but it should not take long after two years.

Wassalam.

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Breastfeeding . Pregnancy

What is the ruling for continuing to breastfeed a child after becoming pregnant? Is it permissible to continue or should the child be weaned immediately?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 2 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

As long as the infant child you are currently breastfeeding has not reached the age of weaning, then there is no shar'i problem in continuing to breastfeed the baby.

Of course, you should consult your doctor and ask if continuing to breastfeed while pregnant will make you weak, or bring about any other problems.

And Allah knows best.

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Husband . Breastfeeding . Wife

Is it allowed for a husband to drink the milk of his breastfeeding wife?

Bismihi ta'ala

Our esteemed Maraji' have different verdicts on this matter, and hence each individual must refer back to his/her Marja' for their fatwa.

In the case of Grand Ayatullah Seyid Sistani, his view is that according to obligatory precaution it is impermissible.

And Allah knows best.

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Breastfeeding . Mother . Blood . Children . Mahram

If I am a breastfeeding mother to a child, will my own blood children also be Mahram to that child?

Seyed Saied Alavi, Seyed Saied Alavi is a researcher based in Qom who has studied from the Howzah of Qom and also completed a Pastoral studies program. He is currently a university lecturer in the fields of Shia... Answer updated 2 years ago

In the name of Allah

The answer is Yes.

When You breastfeed someone else's child (with all the conditions that will be mentioned below) That child is basically like a child of Your own. So he/she will be Mahram to:

You (Breastfeeding mother), your parents, your grandparents and so on, your siblings, your aunts and uncles.
Your husband (Breastfeeding Father), his parents, his grandparents and so on, his siblings, his aunts and uncles.
Your Children (current and future), your grandchildren and so on.

But what are the conditions for breastfeeding to result in Mharamiyyat?

1. The child should suck the milk from the breast. So if the milk is poured into the child's mouth, it doesn't count.

2. The child should be under two years of age.

3. The milk should be the result of a Halal relationship.

4. The Child should not throw up the milk. If so, it doesn't count.

5. The quantity or duration of breastfeeding should be either of these:

Enough so that his/her body would grow due to that milk.
(Grow: muscles/meat are created or bones will be strengthened)
15 times in a row. (without any other food or milk from another woman)
24 hours straight. (without any other food or milk from another woman)

WasSalaam.

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Mother . Breastfeeding . Children . Sexual

Is it allowed for a mother to breastfeed her child while in the state of Janabah?

Masuma Jaffer, Dr Masuma Jaffer is a qualified dentist, with a Masters in Islamic Studies and has also attended Hawza in Qum. She obtained a PGCE - teaching qualification – and has taught Hawza studies at the... Answered 3 years ago

Salaam

Yes she can feed her child in the state of Janabah. It is recommended to do wudhu before feeding.

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Mother . Father . Pregnancy . Breastfeeding

For the birth of a child, the mother seems to have a much greater contribution compared to the father such as the months of pregnancy and breast feeding. Why is it then said that the child belongs to the father?

Child does not belong to the father only but belongs to both father and mother. Father is fully responsible for all livelihood expenses of the child and the mother, while mother is not responsible to spend on the child even if she is rich.

The Prophet Muhammad has ordered every one to look after his mother, his mother, his mother, then his father.

In the unfortunate situation of separation between father and mother, mother has the right of custody during the childhood years ( 2 years for boy and 7 years for girl) then custody will be for the father.

Wassalam.

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Mother . Ziyarat . Iraq . Breastfeeding

What advice and guidance is there for a mother going for ziyarat to Iraq with a child that is being breastfed?

Bismihi ta'ala

It truly is a blessed opportunity for not only the mother, but the infant as well, to be brought to the holy sanctuaries of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Nurturing a child the love of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) by taking them to holy Shrines, and from such a young age, engraves faith and belief in their hearts.

Therefore, the mother should seize the opportunity of giving her baby the most exposure to the holy Shrines, and benefiting from that spiritual atmosphere.

That being said, like everywhere else one travels, certain precautions must be taken.

Try to select a date where the weather in Iraq is moderate. Not too hot, and not too cold. Spring, or Autumn, for example. Keep in mind that electricity is still a problem there.

Pack basic essentials for the baby's needs, from clothes to nappies. A compact pram would also be useful. Bring child medicine, like panadol, nappy rash, etc, and also medication for diarrhea.

Try to choose quiet times when you go for the Ziyarah, and avoid big crowds. Keep an eye on you child, and try not to be conspicuous. For your own protection, and for your baby's protection, pay sadaqah regularly, and keep a hirz on your baby.

It would be very useful to travel with people who would assist you throughout the trip. Try not to rely on others, but at times you will need help with certain things, and maybe just a little rest.

Continue to remind yourself that you wish to gain proximate benefit from Ziyarah, and that your intention is purely for Allah ta'ala. Also, remember that your reward is based on the amount of difficulty you go through, so everything you endure will be taken into consideration in the eye of the Almighty.

And please keep us in your duas.

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Islamic Calendar . Breastfeeding

Can I breastfeed my child for the first two years based on the western calendar or his Islamic date of birth?

All our timing calculations in Islam are based on lunar calender, so the time of breastfeeding is two lunar years.

You can breastfeed your child for slightly more than two lunar years and you can also do so according to the western calender.

Wassalam

Islamic Calendar . Breastfeeding

Can I breastfeed my child for the first two years based on the western calendar or his Islamic date of birth?

Bismihi ta'ala

Although the two years of breastfeeding has been recommended in the holy Quran, it does not necessarily mean you cannot wean your child before that. When you are introducing solid and nutritive foods, you can gradually minimise the breastfeeding until your infant is completely weaned.

Wassalam