Breast milk: when to wean the baby?

22-9-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

I would like to ask about the infant foods. Now a days even the pediatricians say that we can start giving fruit juices after the completion of four months for the infant, and gradually every food by the month of six. In fact they agree breast milk is the best of all. Is there any Islamic teachings concerning this. Is there any harm to the infant if we give only the breast milk at least up to the age of one? Will it effect the growth of the infant? I would like to know the religious teachings and if possible the scientific teachings as well.

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah Almighty has Said: The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling,[2:233] This means that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) made the suckling period two years being the maximum period a child needs for enough suckling. This rule is to be regarded when the father and mother dispute as to the period of suckling. So the view which is to be taken into consideration is the one which calls for additional time unless it exceeds two years. But, if the parents, after mutual consultation, see that it is better for the child to be weaned before completing two years, then there is no sin on them. This is evidenced by the verse: If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no sin on them.[2:233]. As to the question whether the child be affected in case it was not given other than his mother's milk, such question is to be directed to doctors whose instructions are to be followed. The prominent scholar, Ibn 'Ashoor , may Allah have mercy on his soul, said in his interpretation of the Holy Qur'an: Yet, doctors unanimously agree that the child's mother's milk is the best for it unless she is afflicted with a certain infliction or her milk does not contain the ingredients enough for full and sufficient nutrition for the child. Allah knows best.