If you are breastfeeding, should you fast during the upcoming month of Ramadan? This is a question on many mums’ minds and there really is no one answer.
Although it has been established long ago that fasting is not required of pregnant and breastfeeding mums during the month of Ramadan, many Muslim women may still choose to fast.
Fasting During Pregnancy
The choice of whether or not to fast is a personal one but before one decides to fast during pregnancy, it is best to check with your doctor before going ahead.
Fasting and Breastfeeding
The same can be said for breastfeeding mums. Ramadan requires all healthy adult Muslims to fast. But the concern is that abstinence from food and water from sun up to sun down may bring on low blood sugar, low blood pressure, gastritis, fatigue, and low milk production for the breastfeeding mum.
Chief among all the concerns is of course dehydration, especially in our hot Malaysian weather where a breastfeeding could easily make a mum feel worn out during a long day.
Signs of dehydration include feeling very thirsty, passing very dark coloured urine, feeling faint and dizzy even though you have slept and getting a headache.
So, should a breastfeeding mother fast or not?
The Age of Your Child Matters
As a general rule of thumb, this decision will depend on the age of the baby and whether or not he is still fully reliant on breast milk as his source of food.
For babies who are more than a year old (some say more than 24 months old), and who are already receiving nutrients from table food for their growth and development other than breast milk, it should be safe for mum to fast. And also, for those where breastfeeding frequency has dropped to two or three times a day, or just once at night.
To give guidance to those who are still unsure about whether to fast or not while breastfeeding this Ramadan, Motherhood Story speaks with Elpeni Binti Ramli, a Certified Lactation Counselor and Staff Nurse O&G Ward to provide some tips and advice.
Q1: What can breastfeeding mums that are intending fast do to ‘prep’ themselves beforehand?
Elpeni Ramli: Muslim ‘ulama’ have been discussing breastfeeding while fasting for decades. Many fatwas have been issued to address this issue, enabling women to make wise decisions for themselves.
If a mother feels that she is able to fast, then it is important she should keep herself well hydrated by drinking lots of water between Iftar (breaking the fast at sunset) and Imsak (starting the fast at dawn). Making sure she eats a nutritious meal and has plenty of rest during the day will ease the fast.
Preparing ahead for fasting will help you to stay healthy too. You could:
- Stock up on shopping, and do chores that require extra energy before you start your fast.
- Keep a food diary so you can make sure you’re eating and drinking enough.
- Plan your day well so that you can rest.
- Do not miss Suhoor (a Muslim’s first meal of the day in Ramadan, also known as ‘sahur’ locally)
- Listen to your body, and talk to your doctor if you feel unwell
- If at any point in time during a fasting day a mum feels too lethargic, it is important for her to carefully consider both her condition as well as her baby’s, before deciding to continue the fast or not.
Q2: If a mum decides to stock up on supply, how long can the expressed breast milk be stored?
Elpeni Ramli: Following the recommended storage and preparation techniques can maintain the safety and quality of expressed breast milk for baby’s health.
Q3: Because they can no longer drink throughout the day, how can mums ensure proper hydration while fasting?
Elpeni Ramli: For breastfeeding mothers, it is important to ensure adequate water intake from the period of breaking fast (Iftar) until the time of Suhoor. Mums can also opt for sugar-free fruit juice or milk.
To ensure that breastfeeding mothers drink 8 glasses a day, you can follow the infographic above.
Q4: Is it true that potassium-rich natural coconut water can help keep the body hydrated and boost breast milk supply?
Elpeni Ramli: There are no specific fluids that mum needs to drink while fasting. The most important thing that she needs to focus on during fasting is to stay hydrated. So, daily water intake is very important to keep the body sufficiently hydrated.
It is recommended to drink bit by bit. Drinking too much just before fasting will just fill up the bladder and the fluid will get urinated out soon after, resulting in the mother feeling thirstier for the rest of the day.
Q5: What is the best Suhoor that you can recommend? What food should she eat, that will help keep her energy levels up?
Elpeni Ramli: Eating well-balanced food, including proteins and complex carbohydrates, during Suhoor is very essential. This will provide the energy that mother needs for the rest of the day, until the breaking of the fast.
Q5: How often should she express? Should she maintain her usual routine or express more times at night?
Elpeni Ramli: Expressing milk can be a varied experience. Some mothers find no change at all in terms of the quantity of expressed milk. However, some may find that the yield of milk collected at the end of the day is lower compared to earlier in the day.
Please remember the concept of Demand VS Supply. Make sure the breasts are emptied every 3─ 4 hours. If mum is working, she can change the pump schedule accordingly:
For example:
- First session: Pump after Suhoor (6:00 a.m.)
- Second session: 3─ 4 hours after the first session (10:00 a.m.)
- Third session: 3─ 4 hours after the second session (2:00 p.m.)
- Fourth session: Pump after breaking fast
- Fifth session: Before sleeping
Q6: Finally, what other advice can you provide breastfeeding mums during the holy month of Ramadan?
Elpeni Ramli: Please remember, if you are unable to fast, or you feel it might affect you and your baby’s health, you are allowed to break the fast and replace the missed days at another time.
May mothers be better prepared to face the challenges of breastfeeding in the month of Ramadan.
And remember, it is not an issue for you to not fast because there is a ‘Rukhsah’ given to mothers who breastfeed their babies.
Motherhood Story wishes all our Muslim readers a blessed Ramadan!
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