What does a nursing mother do if she breaks her fast in Ramadan?

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : She owes approximately fifteen or sixteen days, I think, of Ramadan that she must make up.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : The young child is now eight months old and does not accept anything other than... or does he not nurse from anyone but his mother? So the mother felt, or feels, compassion for her son; the child is crying now because he is not nursing, meaning he is hungry. So, does she continue fasting without it being required of her and leave the child, or does she intend to keep him nursing for two years?

The Shaykh : I mean, was this child born in Ramadan?

The questioner : He was born in Ramadan, yes.

The Shaykh : No, she can expiate for each day by feeding a poor person, and thereby she fulfills the obligation without fasting.

The questioner : One poor person for each day.

The Shaykh : For each day, but food, not money; food.

The questioner : I mean, a meal.

The Shaykh : A meal, yes.

The questioner : A meal, for example, breakfast, lunch, dinner.

The Shaykh : Yes, as you eat.

The questioner : Yes, very well, my sir, send blessings upon the Prophet.

The Shaykh : (peace be upon him).