Expressing Breast Milk on Shabbat
Question
Breast milk on Shabbat. Is it permitted to use an electric pump?
With a manual (mechanical) pump — is it permitted to keep it for later during Shabbat?
Is it permitted to keep it for after Shabbat?
In the case of a baby girl who is in a state of a “nursing strike,” is it permitted to express milk on Shabbat even if she will not drink it, in order that the flow of milk not stop for the future [after the strike]?
Answer
Shalom u’vrachah
It is permitted to express milk with an electric pump when it is turned on and set from before Shabbat.
Whether expressing with a manual pump or with an electric pump, if the baby needs this milk, it is permitted to express it and give it to him.
However, if he has no need for this milk — for example, in a situation where he is currently eating substitutes, or the mother has engorgement and there is more milk than needed, or in the case of a “nursing strike” — one must ensure that the milk will not be fit for use. That is, before expressing, she should place soap or the like into the milk-collection container, and in this way the milk becomes immediately unfit for use.
Keeping milk for Saturday night — if the baby will need this milk, such as if then the mother will not be able to nurse, or she will no longer have milk, it is permitted to keep it. But if the baby will be able to manage without this milk, the milk should be spoiled immediately at the time of expressing, as above.