Is leaking milk a chatzitzah? - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Is leaking milk a chatzitzah?

January 26, 2007

Question

I am currently nursing and leaking milk a lot. I am trying to do my postpartum bedikos, and wonder what the halacha is regarding milk that leaks from my nipples when I am going to the mikvah. If this happens right before I get into the mikvah, or while I am in it, do I have to go back out and wash it off with soap? Or can I rely on the mikvah water to wash it away?

Answer

Mazal tov on the birth of your baby!

Leaking milk is not a chatzitzah when wet. However, dried milk caked on the body would be a chatzitzah. So long as you carefully clean off any dried milk from your body, you need not be concerned about new effusions during immersion or in the moments before.