When to Postpone Brit Milah

Postponing Brit Milah – Background

Brit Milah is an important and central mitzvah in Judaism, typically performed on the eighth day of the baby’s life. However, there are situations where the brit is postponed for medical or halachic reasons. In such cases, it is crucial to follow medical and halachic guidelines to ensure the baby’s health and prevent unnecessary risks.

How to Count the Days from Recovery Time

When a baby needs to wait seven days after recovering from an illness, the counting starts from the exact time the baby was deemed healthy. For example, if the baby recovers on Tuesday at 4:06 PM, the brit will be scheduled for the following Tuesday at 4:06 PM.

Medical Reasons for Postponing Brit Milah

Anyone, whether a baby or an adult, who needs to undergo Brit Milah must be free from any illness for a full week before the procedure. If the illness only affects one part of the body, like a minor eye infection, it requires waiting only until the infection improves. Serious conditions, however like a full eye infection or fever for even a short time,  necessitate waiting 7 days from the time the body recovered.

Some of the most common medical conditions which we postpone the brit for include but are not limited to:

• • Neonatal Jaundice: If bilirubin levels are exceptionally high (12.5mg – 13mg), the brit may be postponed until the levels stabilize. If the bilirubin level exceeds 17.5 mg, the brit is delayed for seven days from the time the levels stabilize. Treatment can involve adjusting feeding amounts and methods, phototherapy, various traditional remedies, and in severe cases, blood exchange. Reach out to our staff for a personalised treatment plan.

• Eye Infections: If the eye infection is more than a minor Eye Infection, It may require waiting 7 days. But a Minor Eye Infection than one must only wait untill he recovers from the infection. If you see puss by the eye contact your Mohel – Dr. right away to take care of it before it turns in to a bigger infection.

• High Fever: If the baby has a fever, the brit is postponed for 7 days after the fever subsides to allow complete recovery.
• Oxygen Deficiency: Babies who have experienced respiratory difficulties and required oxygen will need to wait 7 days. If oxygen was given briefly as a precaution, waiting might not be necessary.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: In cases of blood deficiencies, hypoglycemia, or other conditions requiring special medical attention, the brit is postponed based on the child’s health status, as determined by consulting a doctor, mohel, and rabbi.
• Congenital Issues: Babies with malformations or structural issues in the genital area, such as hypospadias or epispadias, often require coordination with a rabbi, mohel, and urologist before performing the brit.

If the baby shows any signs of illness, please inform us immediately. The safety of your child is our top priority. Contact the mohel right away to discuss the condition and ensure the best care.