Breastfeeding in Ramadan

If you are breastfeeding this Ramadan, you might be thinking about whether you should fast.

If you’re pregnant and also thinking about fasting, please have a look at our article here.

Let’s talk about breastfeeding!

Breastfeeding is one of the most energy-consuming activities that your body can do!

Breastfeeding requires calories, fluids, sleep, and emotional energy. It demands more hydration than most endurance sports.

Your body is constantly adjusting to meet your baby’s needs, even when you are tired, depleted, or running on very little rest.

For optimal breastfeeding, a mother needs:

• Physical factors: healthy nutrition, adequate hydration, not be underweight or lacking in nutrients
• Psychological factors: rest, sleep, time to focus on breasfeeding, and emotional calm
• Social support with other children or other tasks around the house to be able to prioritise sitting and breastfeeding and making eye contact with her baby

The demand of breastfeeding also depends on the age of your baby, whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding or also using formula, your baby’s health and your own health.

The medical evidence

From a medical perspective, the evidence around fasting while breastfeeding is limited and mixed and we don’t have a scientific answer about whether you should fast during breastfeeding during Ramadan.

We don’t have enough studies to yet fully answer:

• Does fasting affect the baby’s health?
• Is a baby’s weight affected by fasting?
• Does breastmilk change while a mum is fasting?
• Does fasting reduce a mother’s breastmilk supply during and after Ramadan?
• Does fasting and breastfeeding affect a mother’s long term health?

This makes fasting while breastfeeding an individual decision based on your child’s age, your and your baby’s health, your values, how long fasting days are and your own situation. Your doctors, midwives, and lactation consultants should support you in whatever you choose. Their role is to help you assess how your body and your baby are responding.

Your baby’s age is important

Your baby’s age really matters.

• If your baby is under 6 months and you are exclusively breastfeeding, you are the only source of nutrition for your child. We would strongly recommend that you talk to your doctor and religious scholars and consider not fasting
• If your baby has been established on solid foods, and is over 6 months, we would encourage you to discuss your health and situation with your health provider 

If you decide to fast

If you decide to fast, there are a few things that can help you look after your and your baby’s health.

These include:

• Ensure high fluid intake from iftar to Suhoor
• Avoid caffeine, as it can cause dehydration
• Consume nutrient-dense, slow-energy-release foods e.g. oats, nuts
• Rest frequently
• Monitor and record baby’s wet nappies daily
• Extra appointments with your healthcare provider to check your health and your baby’s health
• Break your fast if you’re concerned about your or your baby’s health

When to Stop Fasting

If your baby becomes unhappy, sluggish, or is not producing enough wet nappies.

If you feel lightheaded, thirsty, or experience symptoms of dehydration.

Discuss your decision with your healthcare provider

Some women may feel physically well, hydrated, able to sleep during the day, supported, and choose to fast.

Others may experience fatigue, reduced milk supply, headaches, dizziness, or emotional depletion and decide to fast every second day, once a week, half a day, or not at all. Some women practice fasting prior to Ramadan (for example, on Mondays and Thursdays) to check how it affects their bodies. 

You should discuss this decision with your healthcare team to help you decide what’s right for you.

If you do choose to fast, hydration and sleep are critical. Dehydration, poor sleep, or inadequate nutrition can affect milk supply and how you feel mentally and physically.

Your medical team and community will support you no matter what you decide to do.

Resources

Health for Under 5s:
https://healthforunder5s.co.uk/sections/baby/ramadan-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/

Australian Breastfeeding Association:
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/religious-fasting-and-breastfeeding