Whether Nursing Mother Establishes Chazakah that Her Milk Kills Infants

From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer

To: Rabbi Naftali

Description

The Chasam Sofer rules that no valid chazakah exists establishing that this woman's nursing causes infant deaths, because the Talmud never recognizes such a chazakah, the pattern of deaths is non-consecutive and alternating, and the twin case demonstrates the milk is nutritionally insufficient rather than toxic. Practically, he rules that the woman should nurse initially, and after some days a qualified doctor should examine the milk; if the doctor declares it poisonous, his testimony suffices to prohibit nursing even without compelling the father to hire a wet-nurse.

Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer EH I §136

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