When my first son was born over 15 years ago, without knowing when, where, or even if it would ever be published, I started compiling a list of beneficial information for new mothers about breastfeeding. My reason for doing so was that before I got pregnant, I had no knowledge about breastfeeding, its importance as outlined in the Quran and the Sunnah, and its countless health benefits. I researched both Islamic and secular sources on the topic of infant care and found that both emphasize breastfeeding over other means of nourishment for the first two years of life. Guidelines on breastfeeding and its role in the deep connection between mother and child are even mentioned in the Quran. Nevertheless, during my first pregnancy, nursing was not something that was being promoted vocally inside or outside the Islamic community.
Some Background
I come from a place where women were systematically deceived into thinking that breastfeeding was outdated and uncivilized. In Puerto Rico, starting in the 1950’s with industrialization, many women were forced into the workplace and coerced into getting sterilized or taking experimental contraceptives. The demand for working women not only restricted how many babies women could have, but also how they would feed them. Baby formula, which was invented in the late 1800’s as a last resort to keep malnourished infants from dying, began being heavily marketed as an equal or sometimes even better alternative to human breast milk. This happened not just in Puerto Rico, but everywhere, and especially in poor countries. Infant formula manufacturers even targeted hospitals with their robust marketing campaigns, giving free samples to distribute to new mothers, who would then become dependent on it to feed their newborns. Unfortunately, infants in poverty-stricken areas suffered greatly because mothers who could not afford formula would water down the powder product. The situation spiraled out of control to create a public health crisis with implications that are still around today.
This led the World Health Organization to create the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes in 1981. The code placed restrictions on the marketing of infant formula and other breastmilk substitutes, so that mothers would be encouraged to breastfeed and ensure the safety of substitute use if needed. That happened after many women of childbearing age in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s (like my mother) became completely ignorant about breastfeeding.
According to data from UNICEF, only 38% of infants were breastfed in Puerto Rico in the early 1980’s, much lower than the 74-97% percent in the rest of Latin America and 54% in the U.S. Since that time, and especially over the past two decades with more information available on the internet, breastfeeding practices have increased. Now more than 80% of babies born in the U.S. are breastfed for at least some portion of time.
I was one of the 62% of babies born in Puerto Rico who did not receive their mother’s breast milk. Although my grandmother nursed all her nine children, by the time her daughters were of childbearing age, breastfeeding was not a common practice among their peers. Alhamdulillah, I was introduced to breastfeeding through the Quran. Thankfully, I also had a Muslim OB/GYN who gave me a book called What to Expect When You’re Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, and Sandee Hathaway. The popular book contains sections on breastfeeding with lots of useful information about how to prepare for feeding a newborn (there is also a website link below to this resource). It is important to note that nursing changes your lifestyle and, with the benefits, also come many challenges. Now, after a decade and a half of birthing and nursing six children, and experiencing the pros and cons of it first-hand, I am grateful for the support I received and hope that other new mothers and babies have the same. One way to get there as a community is to offer educational initiatives.
Why Breast is Best
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control indicates that breastfeeding is associated with decreased risk for childhood diseases and conditions, including otitis media, respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, gastroenteritis, Type 2 diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome, and obesity. Not only is human milk better for infants, but the act of breastfeeding is associated with health benefits for mothers. Nursing women are at a decreased risk for Type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer according to the CDC.
Florida Atlantic University also published findings from a recently conducted study on the effects of breastfeeding on postpartum depression rates. They collected data from 29,685 women across 26 states and found that those who nursed their babies had a statistically significant lower risk of postpartum depression than women who were not breastfeeding. Dr. Safiya George, dean of the FAU’s College of Nursing, said, “Breastfeeding is a cost efficient and healthy behavior that can decrease a woman’s risk for postpartum depression.”
Some other advantages of breastfeeding are natural child spacing, more rapid shrinking and toning of the uterus post-childbirth, weight loss, and an absence of menses which can allow a mother to pray and fast regularly.
Breastfeeding in the Quran and Sunnah
Allah honors parents in the Quran, and specifically mentions the virtue of the breastfeeding mother. He says,
“And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and good to his parents.
His mother bore him in weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years.
Give thanks to Me and to your parents; unto Me is the final destination.”
(Surah Luqman, 31:14)
While alternatives are something relatively new, breastfeeding is part of the innate nature that Allah has instilled in His creation. It is practiced by people of all races, regions, and religions throughout history. In the Quran, Allah mentions the unique relationship between mother and child in a beautiful story. In Surah Al-Qasas, verse 7, He says,
“We inspired the mother of Musa: ‘Nurse him, but when you fear for him, put him then into the river, and do not fear or grieve. We will certainly return him to you and make him one of the messengers.’”
We learn as we read further that when Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh, found him and sought out a substitute wet nurse for the baby, he would not accept anyone but his own mother’s breast. Allah reunited mother and child through their breastfeeding bond.
Likewise, we learn in a hadith that when Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, left his wife, Hajar, in the barren valley of Mecca with only a few provisions, she was nursing baby Ismail. In the collection of Sahih Bukhari, Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “… The water soon ran out and she was left with no more milk for the baby.” This prompted Hajar to run between Safa and Marwa in search of sustenance. When Allah provided her a source of water with the well of Zamzam, he said, "Then she drank (water) and suckled her child.” The desperation Hajar felt at the sight of her baby crying for milk is what drove her to run desperately between the two mountains. The rite of Sa’i during the Hajj commemorates Hajar’s action that was motivated by her bond with her nursing infant.
When speaking about the severity of the Day of Judgement, Allah again uses the example of this bond as a warning. He says,
“O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing.
The Day you see it, every nursing mother will abandon what she is nursing …”
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22:1-2)
Like Hajar, a mother would do anything for her nursing baby, but on the Last Day, not even this attachment will matter. In another hadith, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, provided comfort to all women who have experienced the loss of a child. When his son Ismail, who was still breastfeeding, passed away, he said, “There is a wet-nurse for him in Paradise." (Bukhari) These verses and ahadith, among others, highlight the immense value of breastfeeding.
Rulings on Breastfeeding
Historically, the default feeding method for a newborn baby or infant was to either breastfeed or have a wet nurse, a woman who breast feeds and cares for another woman’s child. Until formula was readily available in the 20th century, if a mother died or was unable to breastfeed due to an illness or medication that prevented her from lactating, then a wet nurse was the next option. We find that in the Quran, when discussing divorce, it was important to determine who would be responsible for providing nourishment for a baby. Allah says,
“(Divorced) mothers will breastfeed their offspring for two whole years, for those who wish to complete the nursing (of their child). The child’s father will provide reasonable maintenance and clothing for the mother (during that period) ... But if both sides decide—after mutual consultation and consent—to wean a child, then there is no blame on them. If you decide to have your children nursed by a wet-nurse, it is permissible as long as you pay fairly...”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:233)
Ibn Kathir explained in his tafsir that through this ayah, we learn that the complete term of suckling is two years. Interestingly, the World Health Organization and UNICEF also recommend that infants be breastfed up to two years of age. He also explained that the ayah indicates that both parents must agree to wean the baby before the prescribed period. If they wish to continue, but the mother does not want to bear the burden, the father can hire a wet nurse. A mother is not forced to continue to breastfeed, and the father or his heirs (in case of his death) are responsible for paying for the baby’s sustenance.
The practice of wet nursing is common in every part of the world. Indeed, it was even regularly practiced in the U.S. until the 20th century. There are even many depictions of black slave women breastfeeding the babies of their white owners. Sadly, many had to do so to the detriment of their own offspring.
Breastfeeding even establishes kinship between the wet nurse and baby (after five feedings before the infant is two years of age according to some schools). The Prophet Muhammad himself, peace and blessings be upon him, was breastfed by wet nurses; the most famous of them was Haleemah As-Sadiyyah, who was from a Bedouin tribe. In the biography of the Prophet called The Sealed Nectar, author Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri wrote, “It was the general custom of the Arabs living in towns to send their children away to Bedouin wet nurses so that they might grow up in the free and healthy surroundings of the desert.”
Make a Plan
After reading about all the benefits of breastfeeding and how Allah elevated its significance by mentioning it in the Quran, I knew that it was something I wanted to do. However, like most good things, it is not free of difficulties, which is why mothers need to be advised on best practices when it comes to nursing. Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, said,
“Breastfeeding provides unmatched health benefits for babies and mothers. It is the clinical gold standard for infant feeding and nutrition, with breast milk uniquely tailored to meet the health needs of a growing baby. We must do more to create supportive and safe environments for mothers who choose to breastfeed.”
The first few weeks are critical to establish a good latch and routine, and to ensure adequate milk production. And it is important to have a supportive network.
Many women cannot or choose not to breastfeed due to their busy work schedules, certain medications they may be taking, diet restrictions, or simply because they do not feel comfortable. Sometimes there are ways around those things like pumping and storing milk, switching medications, seeing a nutritionist, speaking with a lactation consultant, or reviving the old practice of seeking a wet nurse.
On the other hand, breastfeeding may not be for everyone, and no woman should be shamed if they are unable to do so. For those new mothers who are considering breastfeeding, here are nine general pieces of advice from one mother to another:
- Make your intention purely for the sake of Allah
- Make lots of duaa for it to be made easy
- As with everything we do, start every feeding with Bismillah
- Be patient with yourself and your baby
- Stay hydrated and well nourished
- Put your baby to the breast as often as possible for the first few weeks to increase your milk supply
- Keep your baby close by when you sleep, like in a bedside crib or bassinet to help with night feedings
- Ask for help from family and friends
- Reach out to a lactation consultant or other healthcare professional for assistance
There is much more to learn about the wonders of breastfeeding (see the links below). In fact, it may be one of the most rewarding things you do as a mother! Our bodies were made for this and, with the help of Allah, you can do it and reap its enormous rewards.
Helpful Links for Nursing Mothers
LaLeche League International https://www.llli.org/
KellyMom Parenting and Breastfeeding Resources https://kellymom.com/
Baby Center https://www.babycenter.com/
What to Expect https://www.whattoexpect.com/
Centers for Disease Control resources on breastfeeding https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/
Suckled Sunnah health and wellness website https://www.facebook.com/SuckledSunnah/
Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (including a teen and tweens). She is the co-founder of Hablamos Islam, Inc., a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam and culture in Spanish. She is also the Spanish content coordinator for the Islamic Circle of North America’s WhyIslam Project and has also written, illustrated, and published a dozen children’s books. Díaz lives with her family in Maryland.
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