Putting prayers together because of being too busy with breastfeeding

Question

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly:

It is permissible for the breastfeeding mother to recite
Qur’aan whilst breastfeeding her infant, and there is nothing wrong with it,
even if she reads from the Mushaf, so long as she has wudoo’. Otherwise she
should hold it with a barrier such as gloves and the like. See the answer to
question no. 10672 and
8950.

Secondly:

What is required is to offer the prayers at the proper times
as enjoined by Allah. Allah, may He be glorified, says (interpretation of
the meaning):

“Verily, As‑Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the
believers at fixed hours”

[al-Nisa’ 4:103]

i.e., they are obligatory and must be offered at specific
times.

It is not permissible to put two prayers together except for
a reason such as travelling, rain or sickness.

Ibn Abi Shaybah (2/346) narrated that Abu Moosa al-Ash‘ari
and ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with them both) said:
“Putting two prayers together without an excuse is a major sin.”

Some of the scholars said that one of the excuses that make
it permissible to put two prayers together is: “… for the breastfeeding
woman because of the difficulty caused by there being a great deal of
najaasah (impurities)” — i.e., because it is difficult for her to purify
herself for every prayer. Abu’l-Ma‘aali said: She is like one who is sick.

End quote from Kashshaaf al-Qinaa‘, 2/5.

i.e., if there is some impurity (najaasah) that gets onto her
from her infant, and it is too difficult for her to purify herself or change
or wash her clothes, then it is permissible for her to put prayers together.

But if she does not get any najaasah on her, especially
nowadays with the availability of diapers (nappies) that keep the najaasah
from spreading, it does not seem that there are any excuses. Doing wudoo’
and praying takes only ten minutes or a little more, so it does not make
sense that a woman could be distracted with her infant to such an extent
that she cannot leave him for this short period of time. She should take
advantage of his naptime or times when he is calm to offer her prayer in the
best and most complete manner.

Prayer is the greatest act of worship and the most important
pillar of Islam after the twin declaration of faith (Shahaadatayn). The
Muslim is enjoined to pray regularly and to pay attention to the matter of
prayer and give it its proper measure, because it is the connection between
him and his Lord; if he neglects it there is no greater loss than that.

So our advice to you is to pay attention to your prayer and
offer prayers regularly on time; remember that this is one of the means of
barakah (blessing), protection and divine support, as Allah, may He be
exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female —
while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him
We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful
provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the
best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)”

[al-Nahl 16:97]

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He
will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could
imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him.
Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure
for all things”

[al-Talaaq 65:2-3].

And Allah knows best.