Salaams,
I’ve been lucky enough to nurse my daughter and pump on the side. I have a bunch of bags in the freezer now andmay not need them. I would like to perhaps donate the bags rather than just toss…but was unsure of the islamic laws around this.
Is it the actual wet nursing or the milk itslef that is significant? Can i do annonymous donation?
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
It is not allowed to donate as per my understandings although anyone above the age of 2, if drinks a woman's milk does not become a son/daughter by "razaa'at" but it is strictly disliked to do so.
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
amilie, my understanding of islam is that if anyone who drinks breastmilk of another females other than his/her mothers becomes their child, so your son or daughter is their sister or brother and they cannot marry.
when i was hospital and the first 3 days didnt have my owm milk, my daughter was hungry and crying, this arabic lady had more then she needed, so she gave my daughter some, she had a daughter so there will be no confusion as they can be sisters and there is not any issue of marring ever.
if u were lucky enough that u had more then u needed, i think try to feed ur child, its good in the freezer for 6 months i think, if u want to donate, to be on the save side, give it some baby girl if u have a girl, like go to the local musjad and ask if someone wants this milk, if u give it to the general donation center, they usually mix all and in the end u never know where it will end.
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
Saadia
Thanks so much. I was planning on stocking for 6 months or more so just in case my milk goes BUT here's the issue we're moving in 6 months so in Nov/Dec all my stock is going to get tossed...i may have to look into how we'd take it with us...hmmm
thank you!
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
That is not entirely true. there is a condition... the person has to be under 2 years of age...
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
well this is interesting…
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Thanks for your interesting question, and we earnestly implore Allah to increase our knowledge about Islam and guide us all to the best.
There is nothing wrong in making use of the human milk banks as long as there is an apparent necessity to do so. Benefiting from the milk kept in human milk banks does not entail prohibiting marriage because of nursing because the milk in those banks is a mixture of milk donated by a number of unidentified wet nurses.
Responding to the question, the European Council for Fatwa and Research, states the following:
The members of the Council discussed the topic of providing Muslim children—particularly the premature and underweight babies—with milk from the human milk banks widely available in Western countries, which such babies are badly in need of to save their lives.
After looking into the decision taken by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy concerning the establishment of milk banks in the Muslim world and the prohibition of nursing from them, the Council reviewed the technical and Shar`i studies submitted by some of its members on milk banks. Due to the change in the criteria on which the decision of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy was based, particularly what concerns the Muslims residing in Western countries, where milk banks have existed for a long time and where they increase in number and spread from one country to another; and due to the increase in the number of Muslims residing in the West and the absence of identified wet nurses, as is the case in the Muslim world, the Council decided the following:
There is no objection in terms of Shari`ah to benefiting from the milk of the milk banks when necessary.
Benefiting from this milk does not entail prohibiting marriage because of nursing. This is partly because the number of nursing times is unknown, and partly because the milk is mixed and the wet nurses cannot be identified because of the legal prohibition on disclosing the names of the milk donors. This is in addition to the large number of donors. The decision is based on consulting the jurists’ decision that marriage is not prohibited in the case when a baby is nursed by an unknown woman in a village, due to the impossibility of identifying her, and on the fact that the milk offered by these banks is a mixture of milk donated by a number of unidentified wet nurses and the major proportion of it is unknown.
You can also read:
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
2yrs figure came from where??
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
amelie, thanks for sharing the fatwa. The second half of it is very interesting.
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
It comes from Surah Al Baqarah [2] ayah 233
“The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what ye do.”
The above ayah talks about the right of a new born in the event when there is a divorce between husband and wife. Based on the inference taken from this ayah, it is established that period of “Radaa’at” is first two years. After that, there is no Radaa’at.
Citing the above ayah, Mufti Shaikh Yousuf Ludhiyaanvi Shaheed:rehm: established the fatwah that anyone who drinks milk of a woman after the age of two years is not to be considered her child.
The fatwah mentioned by amelie talks about some important things and is very logical, however, quite superficial. Based on my knowledge that consists of reading of fatawaah of several other scholars, it does not take into account Quran or hadeeth, hence, is a mere personal understanding/judgment of an individual, IMHO. Further, it somehow contradicts the laws regarding "Radaa’at’ mentioned in Quran.
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
^ thats true.
so apparently there is no Shar’aye masla. But I want to ask whether the milk bank accept frozen milk which is stored for some time ? And anyone know how they keep it fresh , I mean they do any treatment like pasturization (sp?) or they keep as it is , Plus I think that human milk should be used as it is. 
Plus, amellie If you have frozen it already it mean your child should start eating some solid food made of milk soon like cerelec mashed banana etc., you can utilize it
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
You should freeze the milk as soon as u pump it. It can be used for 6 months afterwards, warm the milk, I think its ok in microwave also. Doesnt loose any vitamins if froozen.
Code is right, u can utilize it for solid food !
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
^ Six months ? I doubt that 
I dont know about vitamins but mother;s milk comtains very important anti bodies ( good germs ) which are required for development of child’s immunity system, I dont think they can survive in frozen state, plus they are required and produced during specific time and age of baby when he needs it most
Anyway, consult child nutritionist.
hum molveyoon ka kaam tu fatwa dena our halwa khana , jiska kaam usi ko saajhey :k:
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
Definitely can use it in cereals and such for my daughter. The issue is that we're moving overseas in 4 months...my frozen stock pile will be difficult to take. But i may re-consider..see if i can stick it in the airplane booked luggage using...what's that stuff called??? Hopefully it'll be importable.
From my understanding 5-7 days in the fridge and then anywhere from 3/4 months to 6 months in the freezer depending on your freezer.
Re: breastmilk laws regarding and donations?
I asked. they test me to make sure i’m ok..and i guess test the milk too…
the option is that there are women who adopt who want milk for their babies..and call the nursery at varoius hospitals…i could give it them…but then have to track that child and their family just in case.