Is breastfeeding optional in Islam?

In Surah Baqarah (2) Allah says: > **Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever > wishes to complete the nursing [period].** Upon the father is the > mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. > No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be > harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon > the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. **And if they > both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and > consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish > to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon > you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable.** And > fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do. >
Quran 2:233 But with the rise of powdered infant milk, I see many mothers putting their babies on the bottle, not for any medical reason but *just for the sake of vanity.* Besides the fact that the child is not getting natural nutrients through milk from it's mother or foster-mother (as in the case of Prophet Muhammad), what view does the Islamic Shariah hold? **Can a mother forego her duty to breastfeed her baby without any valid medical reason? Is breastfeeding optional in Islam?**