Halachah · Modern
A Lifetime Companion to the Laws of Jewish Family Life, Part Three; The Life Cycle, Chapter 5; Breastfeeding/מדריך להלכות טהרת המשפחה·
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1Medical background
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2Breastfeeding is endorsed by major health organizations as the optimal form of infant nutrition. It also has multiple health benefits for both the mother and infant. To quote the 1997 policy statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics1 1997; 100:1035–1039. These points have been expanded in the 2005 policy statement, Pediatrics 2005; 115:496–506.
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3Human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and is species-specific; all substitute feeding options differ markedly from it… Epidemiologic research shows that human milk and breastfeeding of infants provide advantages with regard to general health, growth and development, while significantly decreasing risk for a large number of acute and chronic conditions. Research in the United States and Canada, Europe and other developed countries, among predominately middle class populations provide strong evidence that human milk feeding decreases the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory infection….
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4Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth… Gradual introduction of iron enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet. It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired…
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5From the halachic perspective of preserving one’s health it is also optimal.
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6Effect on times of anticipation
זמֵנִיקָה כָּל עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע חוֹדֶשׁ אַחַר לֵידַת הַוָּלָד – אֵינָה קוֹבַעַת וֶסֶת. אֲפִילּוּ מֵת הַוָּלָד אוֹ גְמָלַתּוּ, דָּמִים מְסֻלָּקִים מֵהֶן כָּל זְמַן עִיבּוּרָהּ וְכָל עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע חוֹדֶשׁ. וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם, חוֹשֶׁשֶׁת לִרְאִיָּה שֶׁתִּרְאֶה, כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁחוֹשֶׁשֶׁת לְוֶסֶת שֶׁאֵינוֹ קָבוּעַ. (שלחן ערוך; יורה דעה, קפט:לג)