Why Malaysian Muslim Women Breastfeed Their Adopted Children
Where faith, motherhood, and science intersect
In a quiet room in Selangor, a woman gently cradles her adopted newborn. Unlike most new mothers, she never experienced pregnancy or childbirth. Yet, through determination, faith, and science, she is breastfeeding her child.
This act, known as induced lactation, is an increasingly practiced but deeply nuanced journey among Muslim adoptive mothers in Malaysia. It is where faith, motherhood, and science intersect, creating a profound bonding experience rooted in religious obligation, emotional connection, and the unparalleled benefits of breastmilk.
For many, it is more than feeding—it is about fulfilling a divine mandate, experiencing motherhood fully, and securing a child's rightful religious and nutritional heritage. This article explores the powerful motivators driving this beautiful, challenging practice.
In Islam, family law governs personal relationships with profound spiritual and legal implications. A primary driver for induced lactation is to establish milk kinship or radÄÊ¿ah in Arabic. This creates a mahram relationship—a permanent, unmarriageable kinship—between the adoptive mother and child 1 3 .
Islamic law stipulates that if an adoptive mother breastfeeds a child five times or more before the child reaches two years of age, a milk kinship is established 1 .
For women who have not borne biological children, induced lactation is a powerful way to claim and experience motherhood physically and emotionally.
Many adoptive mothers report feeling "complete" as women and mothers when they breastfeed. The skin-to-skin contact and nurturing act foster a powerful maternal-infant bond 8 5 .
Studies note that mothers use words like "satisfied," "relieved," "enjoy," "pleasure," and "indescribable feeling" to describe the experience 8 .
The health benefits of breastmilk are a significant motivator. Mothers are deeply aware that breastmilk is unmatched in providing optimal nutrition and immunity.
To truly understand these motivators, we delve into a pioneering qualitative study specifically designed to explore the decision-making factors among Muslim women in Malaysia.
The analysis revealed three overarching themes that formed the bedrock of the women's decisions 3 5 :
Mahram Relationship (100% of women)
The religious and legal necessity to establish milk kinshipHealth Benefits of Breastmilk (91% of women)
Strong belief in nutritional and developmental advantagesExperiencing Motherhood (83% of women)
Achieving physical and emotional fulfillment of being a mother| Primary Motivation | Description | Number of Women Citing This Factor | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishing Mahram | To create a legal, unmarriageable kinship as prescribed by Islam | 23 | 100% |
| Health Benefits of Breastmilk | To provide optimal nutrition and health protection for the child | 21 | 91% |
| Experiencing Motherhood | To achieve the physical and emotional fulfillment of being a mother | 19 | 83% |
The journey is arduous and requires immense dedication. Understanding the motivations also means acknowledging the hurdles these mothers willingly face 4 9 .
Produced Some Milk
Established Mahram
Data from the National Lactation Centre 4
Physical & Health Challenges
Hormonal therapy side effects, fatigue, physical pain from pumpingPsychological Challenges
Stress, anxiety over low milk supply, fear of failureLogistical & Work Challenges
Rigorous pumping schedule, demanding work commitmentsTechnical Challenges
Difficulty latching the adoptive baby, establishing a suckling rhythm| Challenge Category | Specific Examples | Impact on Process |
|---|---|---|
| Physical & Health | Hormonal therapy side effects, fatigue, physical pain from pumping | Can delay or reduce milk production, requires medical support |
| Logistical & Work | Rigorous pumping schedule (every 2-3 hours), demanding work commitments | Mothers may miss sessions, reducing stimulation; lack of dedicated leave |
| Psychological | Stress, anxiety over low milk supply, fear of failure | Can negatively affect milk let-down and overall perseverance |
| Technical | Difficulty latching the adoptive baby, establishing a suckling rhythm | Can hinder the final goal of direct breastfeeding and mahram establishment |
Induced lactation is a multifaceted process that often requires a combination of approaches. Here are key elements in the toolkit 1 8 :
Mimics the hormones of pregnancy (estrogen, progesterone) to prepare breast tissue for milk production. Often involves taking birth control pills for a period of weeks or months.
Medications or substances believed to initiate, maintain, or increase milk production. Pharmaceutical: Domperidone. Natural: Fenugreek, blessed thistle.
Regularly empties the breast, signaling the body to produce milk. Breast pumps, hand expression, and/or frequent attempts to nurse the baby.
Allows the baby to practice latching and provides the most natural stimulation for milk production. Putting the baby to the breast before, during, and after the protocol.
Provides critical education, emotional support, and troubleshooting. Lactation consultants, support groups (online/offline), and family.
| Toolkit Component | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hormonal Therapy | Mimics the hormones of pregnancy to prepare breast tissue for milk production | Birth control pills |
| Galactagogues | Medications or substances believed to initiate, maintain, or increase milk production | Domperidone, Fenugreek, blessed thistle |
| Mechanical Stimulation | Regularly empties the breast, signaling the body to produce milk | Breast pumps, hand expression |
| Suckling Practice | Allows the baby to practice latching and provides natural stimulation | Putting baby to breast frequently |
| Support Network | Provides critical education, emotional support, and troubleshooting | Lactation consultants, support groups, family |
"For Muslim adoptive mothers in Malaysia, the decision to induce lactation is seldom just about nutrition."
It is a profoundly integrated act weaving together faith, family law, emotional bonding, and maternal care. It is about transforming an adoptive relationship into a God-ordained kinship through the intimate act of breastfeeding.
While the path is demanding, the motivators are powerful enough to drive women through the challenges. Their journey highlights a critical need for structured support systems, informed healthcare guidance, and greater societal and policy recognition—such as dedicated lactation leave for adoptive mothers 4 9 .
Understanding these factors is the first step in empowering a community where every mother, regardless of how she came to motherhood, is supported in her choice to nourish and bond with her child in the way she holds most sacred.
Structured support systems and informed healthcare guidance are essential for success
Dedicated lactation leave for adoptive mothers would significantly help the process