Is It Permitted to Breastfeed in Public?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Assalam’aleykum

What is the Islamic stance on breastfeeding in public?

These days there are many things you can buy that help you cover up while breastfeeding, so you don’t expose yourself.

Is it frowned upon to breastfeed in public?

Answer: Walaikum assalam,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.

Nursing in public would be permissible, with two considerations:

(1) she must remain covered, by Islamic standards–which is possible by using appropriate coverings;

(2) she should choose a place that, in her societal context, is appropriate and dignified, whenever possible.

wassalam,

Faraz Rabbani