Women
Is It Permitted to Nurse a Child After Age Two?
Halacha on Nursing After Age Two
Question
Hello, I have a two-year-old child, who nursed for three months, and a month ago I gave birth to another child. I would like to know whether I am permitted to express milk into a vessel and give it to my two-year-old child to drink, since he has been weaned from breast milk, if there is any halachic significance to this. I would appreciate sources. Thank you.
Answer
Greetings,
A woman is permitted to nurse a healthy infant until age four, and a sick infant until age five, as long as she has nursed him continuously. After age two, if the infant stopped nursing for three complete days, she may not resume nursing him, unless the reason for the interruption in nursing was due to the infant's illness. However, if you express milk into a vessel, you may give it even to a child who has passed age two, even if more than three complete days have passed since he nursed. Sources: Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah (section 81, paragraph 7).
With blessings, Hillel Meirs
