Fasting is a very important act of worship in Islam, but for mothers who are breastfeeding while fasting, it may cause concern. Can mothers fast while breastfeeding?
Can a Mother Breastfeed While Fasting?
In general, mothers who are breastfeeding can fast. Islam gives leeway to breastfeeding or pregnant mothers not to fast if they are concerned about their health or that of their baby.
However, if the mother feels healthy and is able to fast, she can breastfeed while fasting. There is no obstacle for them to perform this act of worship. However, they need to ensure that they get enough nutrition and water during sahur and iftar so that they can continue to breastfeed their baby properly.
Are There Any Risks to Breastfeeding Babies While Fasting?
Breastfeeding while fasting can affect the baby if the mother does not maintain good nutrition and hydration. Among the risks that the baby may face are:
1. Decreased Quality and Quantity of Breast Milk
Fasting that is not followed by a balanced diet can cause the mother to be calorie and water deficient, which in turn can reduce milk production. Breast milk is highly dependent on adequate calorie and water intake. If the mother does not eat or drink enough during sahur and iftar, milk production will decrease, which can affect the baby.
2. Effects on Baby Development
A lack of milk can cause babies to not get enough of the nutrients they need for their physical and mental development. Babies who don’t get enough milk may be more likely to have growth problems or dehydration .
What are the risks to yourself if you breastfeed?
Breastfeeding while fasting can affect the mother’s health, especially if not managed properly. Among the risks faced by the mother are:
1. Dehydration
Breastfeeding mothers need more fluids than the average woman. Without enough water intake during suhoor and iftar, mothers can become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause mothers to feel tired, dizzy, and have less energy. In addition, dehydration can cause reduced milk production.
2.Weakness and Fatigue
Mothers who fast without consuming sufficient food may feel weak and tired because their bodies do not get enough energy. This can affect the mother’s ability to breastfeed, and can even cause the mother to lose her enthusiasm for fasting.
3.Decrease in Milk Production
Breast milk production is highly dependent on calorie and water intake. If a mother does not eat nutritious foods or drink enough water, breast milk will decrease. In addition, excessive stress and fatigue can also affect milk production.
Signs of Dehydration When Breastfeeding
Dehydration can have a negative impact on breastfeeding mothers. Some of the signs of dehydration that mothers should watch out for are:
Dehydration is a condition where the body lacks enough fluids to function properly. For mothers who are breastfeeding while fasting, dehydration can have a negative impact on the mother’s health and milk production.
1. Dry Mouth and Severe Thirst
One of the early signs of dehydration is extreme thirst and a dry mouth. Mothers may feel very thirsty because their bodies lack the necessary fluids. A dry mouth can also cause discomfort, making it more difficult to breastfeed well.
If the mother experiences these symptoms, it indicates that the body needs more water, especially if the mother is breastfeeding, in which case the body needs more fluids to produce milk.
2. Dark-colored urine
Urine is a good indicator of your body’s hydration status. If your urine is dark or dark yellow, this is a clear sign that your body is dehydrated. In addition, a dehydrated mother may also urinate less than usual.
While fasting, breastfeeding mothers need to be more careful with their water intake, as dehydration can affect milk production and affect overall health.
3. Weakness and Dizziness
Dehydration can cause the body to lose energy, and breastfeeding mothers may feel unusually tired. Feeling weak, dizzy, and lacking energy are signs that the body is not getting enough fluids to function properly.
In this situation, the mother may find it difficult to concentrate on daily tasks or pay attention to the baby. This fatigue can also negatively affect the quality of breastfeeding, as a tired mother has a harder time focusing while breastfeeding.
4. Headache
Lack of water in the body can cause mothers to experience headaches or migraines . Headaches are one of the common signs of dehydration experienced by many people, including breastfeeding mothers.
Without enough fluids, the mother’s brain and body cannot function optimally, causing a headache or tension. These headaches can become worse if the mother does not take immediate action to increase her body’s hydration.
5. Dry Skin or Chapped Lips
Dry skin and chapped lips are other signs of dehydration that should not be ignored. When the body lacks water, the skin loses its natural moisture and becomes dry.
The mother’s lips may also start to crack or split, which is not only painful, but also disrupts the mother’s well-being. Dry skin can also cause discomfort, making the mother feel more easily distracted while breastfeeding.
Does Fasting Cause Less Breast Milk?
Fasting can cause a decrease in milk production if the mother does not maintain proper nutrition and hydration. While fasting, the mother should ensure that the body gets enough nutrition and fluids during sahur and iftar.
Apart from that, factors such as stress and fatigue can also cause a decrease in milk production. However, if mothers follow healthy eating tips and manage breastfeeding time properly, a decrease in milk supply can be avoided.
How to Increase Breast Milk During Fasting
How to Increase Breast Milk During Fasting
To ensure optimal milk production during fasting, mothers can follow several useful steps:
1. Drink Plenty of Water During Suhoor and Iftar
Make sure you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water during iftar and sahur to avoid dehydration. Sufficient water will help produce more milk.
2. Eat a Nutritious and Balanced Diet
Choose foods that contain protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and the vitamins and minerals needed for breastfeeding. Foods like eggs, fish, chicken, green vegetables, and fruits are great for increasing milk production.
3. Avoid Foods That Reduce Milk Production
Avoid foods that can reduce milk production such as spicy foods, caffeine , or alcohol. The diet of a breastfeeding mother greatly affects the quality and quantity of milk produced. There are several types of foods that can reduce milk production.
4. Frequent Breastfeeding
Frequent breastfeeding can stimulate milk production. Make sure the mother breastfeeds the baby after breaking the fast and during the night to ensure sufficient milk is produced.
5. Practice Foods Known to Increase Milk Supply
Some foods such as celom leaves, alfalfa, fenugreek, and oats are believed to increase milk production. Mothers can eat these foods to help with the breastfeeding process.
10 Tips for Fasting While Breastfeeding
According to lactation expert, Noor Fazila, there are several tips for mothers who want to continue breastfeeding while fasting. These include:
1. Set Intentions, Always Be Positive & Self-Confident
Stop thinking that fasting can cause a decrease in breast milk. Believe me, the mother’s body will still produce milk as usual using the nutrients already stored in the body.
Whether the mother eats or not during the day, the body will still produce milk as usual. Be positive to go through the month of Ramadan with enthusiasm and determination.
2. Suhoor
Never skip or ignore sahur time because it is very important for breastfeeding mothers during fasting to ensure the body remains energized throughout the day. Have sahur with a complete meal, containing carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables, whether it is rice or other heavy food.
Avoid eating foods that are too fatty or high in sugar because they can make us feel thirsty easily. It is best to eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure that the body gets the fiber and vitamins it needs.
Apart from that, eat lots of dates because they are rich in energy and nutrition. After eating a full meal, you can also enjoy oats and drinks that help provide energy to ensure your body stays fit and not tired throughout the day.
A balanced diet is very important to ensure that the composition of breast milk produced is not disrupted. And that the body’s reserves used up during milk production can be replaced.
3. Set a Pump Schedule
During the first week of fasting, you can maintain your pumping sessions as before fasting. This is a trial period to see if you can handle it or not. If the normal pumping schedule makes it difficult for the mother to continue breastfeeding, you can adjust the pumping schedule to only 2 times during the day.
4. Drink Enough Water
Breastfeeding mothers who are fasting are advised to drink as much water as they can according to their body’s needs, which is 2 to 3 liters. This is because the body really needs enough water to carry out body functions, including producing milk. Enough water can carry oxygen to the brain and at the same time can prevent breastfeeding mothers who are fasting from feeling extremely tired.
5. Nutritional Diet for Breastfeeding Mothers
Nutrition during breastfeeding is very important because babies rely on breast milk to feel full. Therefore, you need to double your food intake, especially during fasting; breastfeeding mothers need to consume an additional 500 calories on top of the 2,000 they normally need daily.
Basically, you need to reach 2,500 kilocalories (kcal) per day while breastfeeding. Consuming fewer calories than that can lead to a low milk supply. The optimal breastfeeding diet is balanced and nutrient-dense.
Here are some examples to prioritize: rice, whole wheat bread, coconut milk, eggs, seafood, meat, legumes, fruits and leafy vegetables, dairy products and avocados, olive oil, nuts, fish.
6. Avoid Too Spicy Foods
Foods that are too spicy can have a negative impact on breast milk production. Ingredients in spicy foods, such as chilies, can stimulate the mother’s digestive system and cause discomfort.
In some cases, consuming too much spicy food can also cause disruption to the mother’s digestive system and cause discomfort or excessive gas. Furthermore, some studies have shown that spicy food can affect the taste of milk, which may make the baby not like breastfeeding or feel uncomfortable after breastfeeding.
7. Dates & Honey
Dates are a good source of energy and are rich in nutrients, while honey can provide benefits for digestive health. Both are also good for boosting energy while breastfeeding, without negatively impacting milk production.
8.Practice a Diet Rich in Fiber & Vitamins
Consuming foods such as oatmeal, green vegetables, and nuts that are rich in fiber and nutrients can also help mothers maintain healthy milk production.
9. Reduce Intake of Foods Containing Added Sugar
Foods or drinks that contain added sugar, such as sugary drinks, snacks, or desserts that are high in sugar, can negatively affect milk production. Excessive sugar intake can cause a spike in insulin in the blood, which can affect hormone balance and lead to a decrease in milk production.
Alternatively, mothers can choose natural foods that contain natural sugars such as fruits or replace sweet foods with more nutritious and low-sugar foods. This will help maintain the mother’s energy levels without adversely affecting milk production.
10. Avoid Foods Containing Preservatives and Chemical Additives
Foods that contain preservatives, artificial coloring, or chemical additives can affect the mother’s health and the quality of the milk produced. Ingestion of these chemicals can disrupt the body’s hormonal system and reduce milk production.
In addition, preservatives and chemicals in food can also affect digestion and cause discomfort such as bloating or gas. Breastfeeding mothers are advised to prioritize fresh and natural foods.
To ensure adequate and quality milk production, mothers who are breastfeeding while fasting need to avoid foods that can decrease milk supply. Foods that are too spicy, caffeine, alcohol, added sugar, and foods that contain preservatives or added chemicals can have adverse effects on the mother and baby.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Malaysia
