Originally Posted by
glarepro
Is it ok for a mother who is feeding their newborn baby formula to heat up the bottle with fire or the microwave? Or does she have to give her baby cold milk on the Sabbath because she is not allowed to use fire or electricity??
Yes, 110%- nursing mothers can do what needs to be done or have others do what needs to be for her or the infant to feed, bathe, clothe, burp, wash, change, and any other thing the baby needs done for them to ensure the mothers and infants health are optimal.
Normally this is what is done: Jewish families prepare all meals for grown ups and kids that will be eaten during the Sabbath by friday afternoon before the Sabbath begins. Then we set up warmers, which help warming foods up or keeping foods warm- these are set up and turned on before the Sabbath, and remain on during the Sabbath. They warm everything to about 140F in about 10-15min. Here you warm up all the food/drink you like, like milk for a baby, etc. Others use the warmer feature on their ovens or stoves, setting them up so that they are on before the start of the Sabbath, and then you can use them to warm things up during the Sabbath. So all cold food can be warmed up in a few minutes, without cooking them due to exesive heat or high temp. The main thing is not to turn them on during the Sabbath day itself. This is concerning normal circumstances.
However, if someone forwhatever reason could not prepare food in time, or was ill and could prepare in time, or suffers a breakdown of all equipment, etc, then of course one is allowed to heat things up an do what needs to be done to eat or feed one's children.
For example: Nursing mother for the first 7 days after giving birth, doesn't have to keep the Shabbat laws, since her life and health are at major risk as she recovers from the birthgiving process. Usually after the 14 days, she can start keeping more things, but it all depends on her health and doctor's suppervision. The same goes for newborns/infants...they're health is most important, and we are allowed to do whatever needs to be done to ensure their health is good- so warming up their milk or taking them to doctor appointment or hospital etc, is not only permitted- it is a must!!!