Breastfeeding and Ramadan
To fast or NOT to fast?!
Ramadan runs from April 13, 2021 until May 12, 2021 and mothers and/or new mothers who partake in Ramadan want to make sure they are being respectful towards their religion and nurturing their babies at the same time. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset. So how do you partake in Ramadan while nursing your baby?
According to Breastfeeding.support, breastfeeding mothers are exempt from fasting during Ramadan, which means their fast can be made up at a later date [1]. However if a mother feels fasting would be manageable for her and wouldn’t affect her own or her baby’s health, she may choose to fast or do partial fasting [1]. Intermittent fasting may affect the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in breastmilk such as zinc, magnesium, and potassium [1]. It is important to watch your baby for ill effects. Parents should check with their baby’s health care provider if they have any concerns their baby might not be getting enough milk during fasting [1]. My question is during Ramadan, do they expect the infant to not be fed from sunrise to sunset, or just the mothers. I wonder if there is an age requirement to partake in Ramadan.
How can the mother be affected for fasting when she can still produce milk for her infant? All of nutrient intakes (except vitamins A, E, and C) is decreased during Ramadan, which is a reason to excuse lactating women from fasting [1]. Nursing mothers also need to look out for severe dehydration, which would need urgent medical treatment and may reduce milk supply [1]. Signs to look for in dehydration are producing very little or no urine, urine as a dark concentrated color, feeling disoriented and confused or faint as a result of dehydration, you must stop fasting and have a drink of water or other fluid [1]. Note: ISLAM DOESN’T REQUIRE YOU TO MAKE YOURSELF ILL WHEN YOU FAST. IF A FAST IS BROKEN, IT WILL NEED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR BY FASTING AT A LATER DATE.
Muslim scholars (ulama) have been discussing breastfeeding while fasting for decades and the rulings (fatwas) have been used to address the issue, enabling women to make wise decisions for themselves [2]. Their guidance is as followed:
[2] Guidance during Ramadan
• Stay hydrated
• Eating wisely- eating well-balanced food, including proteins and complex carbohydrates during ‘suhoor’- the meal right before the start of a fasting day- is very essential: provides the energy that mothers need for the rest of the day until the breaking of the fast
• Breaking the fast: mothers should break her fast as early as possibly, by eating natural high-energy foods, to quickly regain energy
• A common option among Muslim community: black dates; mothers can opt for creative preparations such as blending the dates with milk
• Hands-on breastfeeding: for mothers who are breastfeeding directly through the day, some will notice that their baby becomes a bit fussier at the end of the fasting day, as the mother is impacted by the fast o Milk ejection reflex can slow down due to the stress of the fast
• When breastfeeding at this point, breast compressions while feeding will help drain out milk from the back of the breast- mom notices improved milk transfer which can satisfy the baby
• When the mother feels lethargic, it is important for her to carefully consider her condition as well as her baby’s condition
If a mother really wants to fast, but the baby is under conditions that won’t allow for complete fasting in Ramadan, mother should do partial fasting by committing themselves to 2-3 days a week [1]. An important factor that may be acknowledged is the age of your baby [1]. If the baby is still under 6 months and is completely dependent on breastmilk, then you should not fast [1]. Ultimately pregnant or breastfeeding may be exempt from fasting if they feel that their health or the baby’s health would be negatively affected by the fasting [3]. It is advised to consult with a scholar or a book fiqh to determine the appropriate guidelines.
And I end this blog with the same question I asked in the beginning, to fast or NOT to fast? That is the question. If you can’t partake in fasting, don’t be so hard on yourself as you can compensate the fasting for a later time.
By: Evalina C Ikpoh, MPH