In Islam, is it obligatory for the wife to care for her child's every need?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Caring for the children and looking after their worldly and religious affairs are a joint responsibility of both parents; each parent is enjoined to do their duty towards them. Ibn 'Umar narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards ... the man is a guardian in his family and is responsible for his wards; and the woman is a guardian in her husband's home and is responsible for her wards..." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Another version of the hadeeth, also cited by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, reads, "...and a woman is a guardian over the household of her husband and his child and is responsible for them..."

Ibn ‘Allaan wrote:

"That the man is a guardian over his household means that he is obliged to provide for their needs according to his ability, enjoin them to do good and forbid them from evil, and teach them what they need of the provisions of religion. That the woman is a guardian in her husband's home means that she guards it against thieves, stray cats, and whatever would possibly cause damage to it, and she must not hoard in it or offer a charity from his wealth unless she knows that he approves it. That she is a guardian over his child means that she is enjoined to nurture it and serve it." [Daleel Al-Faaliheen]

Since the mother is closer to her children and spends more time with them, her share of the responsibility is greater in this way. For more benefit, please refer to fatwa 22476.

This is a general answer to the question. As for details, each issue has its specific ruling, so whoever wishes to know its ruling should ask about it specifically.

Allaah knows best.