Is it Permitted for a Woman to Breastfeed After Relations?

Greetings,

In the Holy Zohar (Parashat Vayikra 19a), it is written that a woman should not breastfeed after relations for a duration equivalent to walking two mil. If the baby is crying, she can wait only for the time it takes to walk one mil. The reason for this halacha is noted by the Metukah Midvash, stating that Lilith takes control at the time of relations, and if she immediately breastfeeds the baby, she might inadvertently harm him and lead him to circumcision.

Additionally, this is mentioned in the Mishnah Berurah (Orach Chaim 156:54) in the name of the Zohar, that after relations, one should not breastfeed the child until after a duration of two mil. If the baby is crying, she should wait at least a duration of one mil.

The duration of one mil is 18 minutes (as also stated in the case at hand in the Aruch HaShulchan, Orach Chaim 156:18). Therefore, ideally, a woman should wait 36 minutes after relations before breastfeeding. If the baby is crying, she may wait only 18 minutes.

However, in the book Taharat Yisrael Part 2 (Orach Chaim 156:208), it is written that ideally, a woman should not breastfeed after relations for 36 minutes, and if the baby is crying, she should wait 18 minutes. If the baby is weak and crying, she can be lenient for half a mil - that is, 9 minutes.

It should be noted that while breastfeeding is forbidden, it is permitted to give the baby water from a bottle or to feed him immediately after relations, and milk that was pumped prior to relations can be given to the baby immediately (Responsa Shevet HaLevi Part 5, Siman 38:5).

Blessings,

Hillel Meirs