Post-partum Fasting on Tisha B’Av
Question
Is a woman who is exclusively breastfeeding and 5 weeks 6 days post partum at the beginning of Tisha B’Av exempt from fasting?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
According to the halacha, a nursing woman is required to fast (within 30 days postpartum one is considered as a "Yoledet" and exempt from fasting). She should prepare herself well in the two days before the fast by drinking three to four liters of sweetened liquids.
However, if during the fast her milk supply decreases and the baby lacks milk, she should break the fast and drink a large amount.
If she knows in advance that fasting will harm her ability to nurse and reduce the baby's milk supply, she should drink as usual. But if she is able to fast at night without it affecting her milk, she should fast at night in order to share in the suffering of the Tsibbur.