What can we do with the extra breast milk of a woman?

Question:
What can we do with excess woman milk? Our cousin recently gave birth to a baby. But now he eats a little, and after him the extra milk remains. What can we do with it?

(Query published as received)

Answer:
The breast milk of a woman is permissible only for children under the age of two. An option would be to store the excess milk for the child if this will not be difficult. A doctor should be consulted to determine a hygienic method to do this.

If the excess milk cannot be stored, it should be discarded.

It cannot be given to anyone else to drink besides an infant below the age of two.

It should be noted that if another infant (below the age of two) is given this breastmilk, familial ties will be established and the laws of Rada’ah (breastfeeding) will apply which may require detail and can create certain complications.

Thus, as far as possible, the milk should not be given to another infant to drink who is not her child without understanding the laws related to breastfeeding.

And Allah Knows Best

Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed