Nursing Mother - Fast of Tisha B'Av
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Question
My wife is a month and a half postpartum and is fully nursing. Even if she tries to drink a lot before the fast, she can at most manage to consume one and a half liters a day. Most likely, after 24 hours, the milk will decrease, and she will feel very unwell because she normally does not fast well. So after childbirth and full nursing, all the more so. Should she fast in such a situation, or not, or should she fast only partially, or only drink from a certain time?
Answer
Shalom and blessings
According to Halacha, a nursing mother is required to fast. She should prepare well in the two days before the fast by drinking three or four liters of sweetened beverages.
However, if during the fast the baby lacks milk, she should stop fasting and drink in large quantities.
If she knows that fasting will harm the nursing and the baby will lack milk, she should drink as usual. But if she can fast at night without reducing the milk, she should fast at night to mourn with the community.