Woman after birth fasting on Tishe Beav

Within thirty days:^[1] A woman within 30 days of childbirth is not required to fast.^[2] Nevertheless, the custom is to fast unless she is experiencing great pain, in which case there is worry of danger.^[3] Nonetheless, a woman may choose to be lenient against this custom and not fast within thirty days of birth even if she is not in pain.^[4] [Practically, in today’s times all women within thirty days of birth are to be taught not to fast.^[5] However, some Poskim^[6] rule that a woman who is after seven days, and feels healthy, is to fast. Accordingly, such a woman is to contact a Rav for a final ruling. Certainly, if she is within seven days of birth, and even more so if she is within three days of birth, it is forbidden for her to fast.^[7]]

Past thirty days – Nursing:^[8] A woman past 30 days of childbirth is required to fast on Tisha B’av just like anyone else even if she is nursing. [However, a nursing woman who feels sick and needs to lay in bed, is not to fast.^[9] If a nursing mother feels healthy, but she will not have milk for her child if she fasts, then if her child only eats from her, she may break her fast.^[10] Some Poskim^[11] rule that even if she is able to feed the child formula and the like, nevertheless, she is not required to do so. Practically, such a woman is to contact a Rav for a final ruling.]

[1] 554:6; For a further understanding of such cases see Admur 617-618

[2] Michaber ibid; Bach 554, brought in Darkei Moshe 554 and M”A 554:9

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule a Yoledes is obligated to fast once she is after seven days from birth. [M”A 554:9 in name of Rashal in Teshuvah; Levush 602, brought in Darkei Moshe ibid; Implication of P”M 554 A.A. 9 that we are only lenient by Nidche]

[3] Rama ibid; M”B 554:14; M”A ibid concludes “Each place is to follow his custom”; Bach ibid writes the custom is to fast after seven days even by the other fasts!

[4] Rama ibid

[5] Aruch Hashulchan 554:8 “Today heaven forbid a woman after birth to fast on Tisha B’av as they are weak and are certainly sick and therefore they are not to be allowed to fast”; Pnei Yehoshua 2:16; Avnei Nezer 540; Yabi Omer 5:50 even for Ashkenazim; Shevet Halevi 6:70 that by Tisha B’av Nidche they are not to fast; Piskeiy Teshuvos 554:7; So I received also from Rav Asher Lemel Hakohen

[6] Rashal ibid; M”A ibid that it depends on custom; Shvus Yaakov 3:37 implies to only be lenient by Nidche; Implication of P”M 554 A.A. 9 that we are only lenient by Nidche; Chayeh Adam 135:2; Kitzur SHU”A 124:6; Divrei Yatziv 233 [as today women are healthier than in previous times]; Shevet Halevi 6:70 is only lenient by Nidcheh

[7] M”B 554:13

[8] Michaber 554:5; Rama 550:1; Pesachim 54b

[9] Piskeiy Teshuvos 554:6

[10] See Shaareiy Teshuvah 554:14 in name of Machazik Bracha

[11] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 554:6 in name of Chazon Ish that she does not need to try giving him formula and the like, as mother’s milk is the healthiest food for a child. However, certainly if the child has already been given formula before, and consumed it, then she must try to do so for Tisha B’av as well.