According to the established international definitions for exclusive
     breastfeeding, an exclusively breastfed infant is receiving only
     breastmilk, either direct from the mother or in some other way.
     However, if medicinal drops, vitamins or minerals are given, the
     infant is still considered exclusively breastfed. This presumes that
     the vitamin/mineral solution or medicines are not diluted with extra
     water.

     If an infant is given breastmilk but also water, ritual fluids such as
     teas and oils, or a watery drink such as the glucose solution given
     before a heel stick, that means the infant is predominantly breastfed,
     not exclusively. (One can breastfeed the infant before, during and
     after a heel stick and have virtually no crying, just a little
     surprise on the part of the baby. This would allow exclusive
     breastfeeding to be maintained, and prevent the baby from experiencing
     separation from the mother as well as pain. Something to consider,
     perhaps, as an alternative to glucose.)

     The question of the wine traditionally given at a bris (circumcision)
     ceremony would revolve around whether it is an anesthetic medicine, in
     which case the infant is exclusively breastfed still, or a ritual
     fluid given primarily because it is customary.  I think that probably
     determining this would require the sophisticated skills of analysis
     and exegesis that are part of rabbinical studies, so if we are lucky
     enough to have a member of LactNet with that training, perhaps she (or
     her scholarly male relatives?) can sort this one out and let us know
     their views.

     By the way, if the wine is given by feeding bottle, the infant is
     bottle fed.  There is a clear distinction made in the definitions
     between how an infant is fed, and what it is fed; bottle fed does not
     mean formula fed by international definition, as medicines, formula
     and other breastmilk substitutes can be and often are given by other
     techniques.

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