𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (377)

Duration of Breastfeeding Question: The listener, Sulayman ibn Ibrahim from the Sudair region, writes asking: Allāh the Almighty said, “Mothers shall breastfeed their children for two complete years—for whoever wishes to complete the term of nursing” [Al-Baqarah: 233]. Is this specific to divorced mothers, or is it general? And what is the ruling on a mother who nurses her child for more than two years? Sheikh Ibn Baz rahimahullah: The Āyah is general; it pertains both to a child whose mother is divorced and to a child whose mother remains married. The Āyah sets the breastfeeding duration as two full years. Allāh also said, “His gestation and weaning period is thirty months” [Al-Ahqaf: 15], and the weaning (i.e., breastfeeding) duration is twenty-four months, while the gestation period is six months—this is minimum duration of pregnancy. Allāh further says, “And his weaning is in two years” [Luqman: 14], indicating that the breastfeeding period is two years for both divorced and non-divorced mothers. This applies if both parents choose to complete the two-year period. However, if they mutually agree to wean the child before the completion of the two years, there is no harm in doing so, and the child may be fed animal milk. Allāh says, “But if both desire weaning by mutual consent and consultation, there is no blame upon them” [Al-Baqarah: 233]. The term "weaning" refers to the cessation of breastfeeding. Therefore, if the two parents—meaning the husband and wife—agree to wean the child at one year, or at a year and a few months, or more or less, for valid reasons, there is no objection. However, if they do not agree, then the child is to be breastfed for two full years. Nursing beyond two years is not permitted except if there's a need. If there is a need, such as the child not having an appetite for solid food, then it is permissible to extend the breastfeeding beyond two years until the child develops an appetite and begins to be nourished by food. There is no sin in that. Yes.