Who pays for a wet-nurse in Islam?

According to Quran 65:6 and universal scholarly consensus, the father is financially responsible for paying the wage for a wet-nurse if the divorced mother cannot or will not breastfeed her child.

Does a divorced mother have to breastfeed her baby in Islam?

No, a divorced mother is not obligated to breastfeed. While she has the priority right to do so for a wage, if she refuses, Islamic law respects her choice and requires the father to find and pay for an alternative like another wet-nurse.

What does 'consult in a good manner' mean in Quran 65:6?

It is a divine command for the divorced parents to negotiate about the child's breastfeeding arrangements with kindness, fairness, and civility. The goal is to reach a mutually agreeable solution that prioritizes the child's welfare over any personal disputes.

How does the ruling on wet-nurses apply today with baby formula?

Contemporary Islamic scholars agree that the principle of the father's financial responsibility extends to modern alternatives. If a wet-nurse is not used, the father is obligated to pay for the cost of baby formula and other necessary feeding supplies.