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#407: Pumping

1. If a baby refuses to nurse unless the mother first squeezes out a small amount of milk, she is permitted to do so (Shulchan Aruch 328:35). Expressing milk onto the ground or into the sink or the garbage is also permitted (Shulchan Aruch 330:8), since it goes to waste (Mishna Berurah 330:32; Avnei Nezer O.C. 47), though some disagree (Chazon Ish).

2. If the baby refuses to nurse normally, and the mother wishes to pump milk for the baby to drink in a bottle, many poskim rule that this is forbidden, since today, formula can be used instead (even if the mother prefers not to use it), and pumping involves a Torah prohibition. Others maintain that perhaps one may still pump in this situation, either manually, or with an electric pump, using a timer (see Ohr L’tzion 2:36:8; Chazon Ish, O.C. 59:3; see also https://www.yoatzot.org/expressing-breastmilk-on-shabbat-and-holidays/).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for everlasting peace in Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.

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