1,646. Must a Woman of Status Nurse?

Hilchos Ishus 21:14

Let’s say that a woman has modest means and would therefore be required to nurse her own child but her husband is wealthy so it would be appropriate for her not to be so obligated. In such a case, if she doesn’t want to nurse, he must hire a nursemaid or get her a maid even if they didn’t have any maids before. This is because a woman’s social status goes up with her husband’s but it doesn’t go down with his.

Hilchos Ishus 21:15

If a woman claims that her husband’s status requires that he get her a maid but he disagrees, the burden of proof is on her. In such a case, the husband need not take an oath.