What is the ruling on fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan for a nursing mother, considering that her infant is two months old? Is it permissible to break the fast? I have been fasting for two days, but I am worried that my milk supply may decrease, which could cause problems for the infant.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
If fasting does not harm the nursing mother or her infant, she must fast. If not breastfeeding the child and substituting the mother's milk with formula would harm the infant, the mother must break her fast and pay a compensation of three-quarters of a kilogram of food to a needy person for each day, and she must make up the fast later. If the formula does not harm the infant, the mother must fast.
Source: Answers to Questions, Q 747 + Special Inquiry + Fiqh of the Guardian.
Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah protect him):
If a nursing mother fears harm to herself or her infant due to insufficient milk, she is allowed to break her fast, and she must make up the fast later and also pay a compensation. The compensation can be giving a poor person 750 grams of wheat or its flour, and any food, including bread or pasta, is sufficient.
It is advisable that she does not break her fast unless breastfeeding is exclusively dependent on her, and there is no other way to feed the child, even partially with formula.
If partial feeding would harm the infant, especially in the early days, and if the formula prevents the infant from drinking the mother's milk later, which would be harmful, she is also allowed to break her fast and must make up the fast and pay compensation as mentioned.
Source: Official website: 1, 2 + Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Book of Fasting, Chapter 8: Cases Permitting Breaking the Fast.
May you be successful in all good.