Halachot and Customs
Is It Permitted to Pump Milk on Shabbat?
Question
Hello and blessings.
Is it permitted to connect something like a Shabbat timer to an electric breast pump and pump milk while the baby is sleeping? Or with a manual pump.
This is in order that milk production not stop or decrease.
I would appreciate knowing the view regarding both types of pumps and their use on Shabbat.
Thank you
Answer
Hello and blessings
A. It is forbidden to pump milk on Shabbat without a special need.
B. In a case of an excess of milk, and the woman is distressed by it, it is permitted to pump the milk for disposal by putting a little soap in the bottle, pumping the milk, and pouring it out.
C. In a case where the baby cannot nurse and milk needs to be pumped for the purpose of feeding the baby, it is permitted to pump it for the purpose of feeding.
It is not entirely clear what your need is for pumping. The milk should not diminish when the baby sleeps in the natural course of things, and therefore I cannot permit this. Please explain more.
Success,
Binyamin Shmueli
