Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Source against nursing while pregnant?

13 October, 2004

Question:

I am a LLL leader and usually tell women that the best information seems to be that as long as a doctor feels that it is safe for a woman to continue having sexual relations during pregnancy, than it is safe for her to breastfeed. But the other day a woman told me that a friend told her that the Gemora specifically says that a woman is not allowed to breastfeed during pregnancy. I imagine that this is a distortion or something taken out of context but I'm wondering what the actual source is. Can anyone tell me?

Thanks in advance!


Answer:

As a physician, IBCLC and yoetzet halacha, I agree with your general advice. I can think of one source (it appears in a few places) that might be distorted. It is a discussion of whether to permit the usage of a form of birth control (moch) to a breastfeeding mother due to fear that she may otherwise become pregnant. The conclusion is that there is no need to do so. There is no indication that breastfeeding must be stopped if she conceives. If your friend has a different source, I would be happy to hear about it.


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