Nursing hazards and restrictions:

1. Non-Kosher foods:[1]

A nursing mother is to especially avoid eating non-Kosher foods.[2] Thus, one is not to give their child to be nursed by a woman who does not keep Kosher, even if she is a Jew. Even if a woman has a Halachic allowance to eat non-Kosher food due to medical reasons, nevertheless, she should not nurse her child after eating such foods. Rather, she should hire a wet nurse who keeps Kosher to nurse her child.[3]

The child:[4] Certainly, the child himself is not to be given non-Kosher food to eat, as such food will damage the child when he gets older. [This applies even to food that is only Rabbinically forbidden, and hence permitted from the letter of the law to be fed to a child according to some opinions[5], nonetheless, one should not do so, and should protest his child from eating such food, due to the spiritual damage that it can cause his mind and heart, creating bad traits within him.[6] Furthermore, due to this reason, one should only feed their child the most Mehadrin of foods, and not rely on various Halachic leniencies for permitting the food even if the food contains a nutritional benefit for the child, so long as it is not absolutely necessary for his general health.[7] Thus even snacks and treats, such as candies and cookies and chips should be of the highest levels of Kashrus.[8]] 

 

Q&A May a nursing woman who is in need for milk products, eat them within 6 hours of eating meat?[9] Yes. She is to recite an after blessing, wash out her mouth, and wait one hour between milk and meat.

 

1. Foods to avoid during nursing:[10]

A nursing mother should only eat foods that are beneficial for her milk [and healthy for the spiritual growth of the child].[11] Thus, she should avoid the following foods:

1. Nursing women are to especially avoid eating the hearts of animals.[12]
2. Nursing women are to especially avoid eating liver.[13]
3. Some sources record that nursing women are to avoid eating squash of various types.[14]
4. Some sources record that nursing women are to avoid eating melons of various types.[15]
5. Some sources record that nursing women are to avoid eating onions.[16]
6. Some sources record that nursing women are to avoid eating Garlic.

1. Choosing a wetnurse:[17]

When choosing a wetnurse, one is to verify that they only eat Kosher foods. Likewise, one should choose a wetnurse that has good character traits and does not have a temper.

1. A Gentile wetnurse:

Danger:[18] Due to reasons of danger, one is not to give their child to a Gentile mother to nurse in her home even if there are other people found there. However, she may nurse the child in the home of the Jew, if there are other Jews that are there or that will constantly enter and leave.

Kashrus:[19] Due to that Gentile milk can create bad character in a child, therefore a woman should never give her child to a Gentile wet nurse for breastfeeding. [This applies to both a boy and girl.[20] However, in a scenario in which there is no other option available and if the child does not nurse then it will be dangerous for his or her health, then a Gentile woman may be hired to nurse the child.[21]]

1. Which breast to begin nursing from:[22]

A nursing mother is to first begin nursing her son from her left breast. [This applies for both a woman who is right-handed or left-handed.[23] This adherence only applies to a male child, however, by a female child, a woman may choose to nurse first from any breast she chooses.[24]  This adherence applies to every male child that a woman has, and not just to her first child.[25]]

1. Not to walk around with revealed breasts:[26]

A nursing mother should not walk around with her breasts revealed as doing so damages the milk.

1. Not to nurse in front of men:[27]

A woman is not to nurse in front of men.

1. Not to get angry:[28]

A nursing mother should avoid anger being that it damages the milk.

1. Death of child due to nursing:[29]

A woman of whom it has been established by doctors that her milk is poisonous and is damaging to her child, then she is not a nurse her child and is rather to hire a wetnurse. [Indeed, there was once a woman who came to a Tzadik and Rebbe crying before him that both of her sons were born mute, and he told her that she should stop nursing her children as it is her milk which is causing this to happen.[30]]

1. Nursing after being frightened or shocked:[31]

If a nursing mother became stricken with sudden fright or shock, then she should not nurse her child at that moment and rather she is to wait until she recovers from the fright. After the fright dissipates, she is to first expel some of the milk from her breasts having it go to waste, and only afterwards is she to nurse her child. This is a proven and tested matter.

1. If one did not nurse for 24 hours:[32]

If a woman did not nurse her child for 24-hour period, then she should no longer nurse her child. [Rather, she is to first squeeze some of the milk from her breasts having it go to waste and only afterwards nurse him.[33]]

1. Until what age to nurse:[34]

A woman is not to stop nursing prior to 24 months unless there are mitigating circumstances to justify doing so, such as if she is pregnant.

1. Nursing after intercourse:[35]

One who has a nursing child is not to nurse the child after marital relations for approximately two Milin, which is close to an hour [i.e. 36-48 minutes[36]]. [Lack of waiting this amount is dangerous for the child.[37]] At the very least [such as in a time of need[38]] one is to wait the length of one mil [i.e. 18-24 minutes, or according to some Poskim[39] even half a Mil, which is 9 or 12 minutes]. If the child is really crying, then some Poskim[40] rule that one is not to adhere to this matter at all, and may nurse the child right away without fear. Other Poskim,[41] however, are stringent even in such a case that one should always wait one Mil. Practically, one should try to calm the child in other ways, and if one is unable to do so, then one may be lenient to nurse him even prior to the passing of the above amount of time.[42]

1. Avoiding walking on repulsive areas:[43]

A nursing woman is to avoid walking over repulsive areas and certainly should not walk over sewage.

1. Avoiding Nivul Peh, cursing and negative talk:[44]

A nursing woman is to avoid cursing and speaking negatively due to danger to the child.

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[1] See Shevach Habris 3:2; Toras Hayoledes 46

[2] Rama Y.D. 81:7; Taz Y.D. 81:12; Shach Y.D. 81:24; Arugas Habosem O.C. 138; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 142:1; 147:2

[3] Shach Y.D. 81:24; P”M 81 M”Z 12; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:3

[4] Rama Y.D. 81:7; Levush 81:7; Shevach Habris 3:3

[5] See Shach 81:26; Admur 343:5-6;

Background: If there is a necessity for the child, for his behalf, to eat Rabbinically forbidden foods then it is disputed amongst Poskim whether one may or may not feed him the food. Some Poskim rule that it is forbidden for any person to give even a Rabbinically forbidden item to a child with his hands, even if the child is completely below the age of comprehension, and even if the child is in need for it. This applies even if the child is sick, so long as he is not in danger. Thus regarding feeding a child a prohibition they have the same status as an adult irrelevant of the child’s age. [First Stam Opinion in Admur and only opinion in Michaber/Rama 343; Rambam] Other Poskim rule it is permitted to feed a child, even above the age of education, any Rabbinical prohibition so long as it is being done for the need of the child, such as for the child to eat and drink, and there are not other foods available. [Second Opinion in Admur ibid; Ran; Rashba; Shach 81:26] Practically, one may rely on the lenient opinion to feed a child a Rabbinical prohibition [even if the child is above the age of education] if the child needs it and no gentile is available to feed the child himself.  However if a gentile is available to feed the child the prohibition then it is forbidden for a Jew to feed it to him, even for the need of the child, even if the child is sick. It is always forbidden to feed the child a Biblical prohibition. [Admur ibid]

[6] Shach Y.D. 81:26

[7] Igros Kodesh 18:109; Shulchan Menachem 4:8

[8] See Koveitz Likkutei Dinim [Greenglass] p. 67; Shevach Habris footnote 3

[9] One who is slightly ill and is in need for milk products may be lenient to recite an after blessing, wash out the mouth, and wait one hour between milk and meat: Chochmas Adam 40:11; Igros Kodesh Rashab Halacha 35; Aruch Hashulchan 89:6; Amudei Hashulchan on Kitzur SHU”A 4; Ben Ish Chaiy Shelach 11; Zivcheiy Tzedek 89:11; Darkei Teshuvah 89:20; Kaf Hachaim 87:7 and 21 and 26; So rule regarding Meiy Chalav: Chasam Sofer Y.D. 73; Pischeiy Teshuvah 87:3; Nitei Gavriel 66:33; Toras Hayoledes 69:4

[10] See Segulas Yisrael Mareches Mem 59; Keser Torah Eitz Chaim 9:24; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 11 and 147:5 footnote 10

[11] Pela Yoeitz Erech Yonkei Shadayim

[12] Sefer Zechira Inyanei Zivug; Ben Ish Chaiy Acharei 2:11

[13] Ben Ish Chaiy Acharei 2:11; Sefer Zechira Inyanei Netilas Yadayim

[14] Rashi on Bamidbar 11:5

[15] Rashi on Bamidbar 11:5

[16] Sefer Hanhagas Yesharos of Arizal; Keser Torah Eitz Chaim 9:24; Segulos Yisrael ibid

[17] Tzeida Ladarech 1:3-14; Sdei Chemed Mareches Hei 42; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:4

[18] Michaber Y.D. 154:1; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 143:1; 147:1; Shevach Habris 3:1

[19] Rama Y.D. 81:7; Levush 81:7; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:1 footnotes 1-3

[20] Arugas Habosem O.C. 138

[21] P”M 81 M”Z 12

[22] Tzavaas Rebbe Yehuda Hachassid 69; Shemiras Hanefesh 17; Kaf Hachaim 116:149; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 146:1-3

[23] Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 146:1

[24] Shivim Temarim 69; Ginzei Yosef 26:17

[25] Shivim Temarim 69

[26] Sefer Zechira; Shemiras Hanefesh 16; Kaf Hachaim 116:147; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:8

[27] Sefer Zechira; Shemiras Hanefesh 16; Kaf Hachaim 116:147; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:8

[28] Sefer Zechira; Shemiras Hanefesh 16; Kaf Hachaim 116:147; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:7

[29] Chacham Tzvi 64; Chasam Sofer E.H. 136; Shemiras Hanefesh 18; Kaf Hachaim 116:136; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:4

[30] Shemiras Hanefesh 18; Kaf Hachaim 116:136

[31] Zivcheiy Tzedek 116:90; Kaf Hachaim 116:148

[32] Sefer Zechira; Shemiras Hanefesh 248; Kaf Hachaim 116:195; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:10

[33] Kaf Hachaim ibid

[34] Adnei Paz 17; Pischeiy Teshuvah 81:16; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:9; See Pela Yoeitz Erech Yonkei Shadayim

[35] M”A 240:29; Bedek Habayis; Zohar Parshas Vayikra p. 119a; Kav Hayashar 17:5; Siddur Yaavetz Mosach Hashabbos Mitos Kesef 7 Chulya Beis 12 [rules that even initially one only needs to wait a Mil]; Kitzur SHU”A 150:16; M”B 240:54; See Yad Ephraim ibid; Kaf Hachaim 240:91; Sheyikadesh Atzmo 25:2

[36] How much is a Mil? Some Poskim rule that a Mil is 18 minutes [1^st opinion in Admur 459:10; Michaber ibid and in Yoreh Deah 69:6; Rama 261:1; Maryu 193; Terumos Hadeshen 123], and hence the total time to wait prior to nursing is 36 minutes [See Misgeres Hashulchan 150:16] Other Poskim rule that a Mil is 24 minutes [2^nd opinion in Admur 459:10; Rambam in Pirush Hamishnayos Pesachim 3:2], and hence the total time to wait prior to nursing is 48 minutes [See Shulchan Hatahor 241:5; Kitzur SHU”A ibid; See Taharas Yisrael 240:20; Misgeres Hashulchan 150:16 concludes to wait 9 and at best 112 minutes] Practically, Admur mainly rules like the opinion of 24 minutes. [Admur ibid; See Ketzos Hashulchan 3 Seder Hachnasas Shabbos 5; Piskeiy Teshuvos 240:29]

[37] Or Yakar Vayikra 16; Toras Nassan Ramak p. 149; Shulchan Hatahor 241:5 that it can lead to the Nichfeh illness.

[38] Taharas Yisrael 240:88

[39] Possible understanding of Yad Efraim on M”A ibid; Taharas Yisrael 240:88; See however Sheyikadesh Atzmo 25:3 footnote 2

[40] M”A ibid according to some prints; Siddur Yaavetz Leil Shabbos 3:12; Divrei Yatziv 1:104-2

Other opinions in M”A ibid: Some have a different Girsa in the M”A ibid which makes it read that if the child is crying one may be lenient like the opinion of one Mil, thus removing the source from the M”A above which claims that one may be completely lenient. [Girsa of Machon Yerushalayim; See Sheyikadesh Atzmo 25:3 footnote 2 that so is implied from wording of the Zohar.]

[41] M”A ibid according to some prints [see previous footnote]; Or Tzadikim 27:18; Elya Raba 240:24; Olas Tamid 240:7; Siddur Yaavetz Mosach Hashabbos Mitos Kesef 7 Chulya Beis 12                                                                                       

[42] Siddur Yaavetz ibid that on this the verse states, “And the child [i.e. Moshe] cried and she had mercy on him”

[43] Sefer Zechira; Keser Torah 23; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:6

[44] Sefer Zechira; Keser Torah 23; Sefer Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh [Lerner] 147:7