Understanding what breast milk is and what it provides your baby with in terms of nutrients provides insight on the benefit of breastfeeding and why you should continue breastfeeding while fasting. Human breast milk is meant to meet the nutrient needs of human babies. Breast milk provides babies with the three macronutrients:. For the first 6 months after the baby is born, it is recommended that the baby be exclusively breastfed and supplemented when needed for example, babies who are exclusively breastfed require a vitamin D supplement in the form of drops.
In the first 6 months, breast milk is highest in fat, and this declines slightly overtime as the baby grows past 6 months old.
Breast milk also contains micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, and most women have enough micronutrients in their breast milk to meet the needs of their baby without supplementing. As all the nutrients are coming from the mom, breastfeeding does require women to increase their energy or calorie intake.
Increasing calories in the form of a wholesome and healthy diet can ensure the health of both mom and baby. While food is introduced generally after 6 months, breast milk continues to provide vital nutrition to the baby. The biggest concern that women face when deciding whether fasting while breastfeeding is right for them, is that they are unsure if fasting will impact their milk supply.
Ensuring that you are eating and drinking enough as well as consuming the appropriate types of food during suhoor and iftar will play a huge role in staying hydrated and healthy. While there is limited research on fasting and breastfeeding, a few studies that have looked at nutrient composition of breast milk of fasting mothers actually showed no difference in fat or other macronutrients composition in the milk, before, during, or after Ramadan. Although many women have been able to fast with no impact on the amount of their breast milk production or nutrient composition, making sure that you know what red flags to look out for is really important.
Pay attention to your body: signs of dehydration include headaches, dizziness, and decreased urine with a darker yellow colour.
Pay attention to your baby: signs that your baby is not getting enough milk include baby losing weight or not gaining weight, decreaed number of wet diapers, baby seeming unhappy after feeding, or seemingly overall distressed. Another consideration is whether your baby is younger than 6 months and exclusively breastfed or older than 6 months and eating table foods.
It may be slightly easier to maintain your milk supply as your baby starts eating food but it is still important to focus on eating and drinking appropriately during non-fasting hours. Drink a LOT of water during non-fasting hours. More than feeling hungry, you will likely feel very thirsty throughout your fast.
Aim to drink cups of water at suhoor and iftar. After iftar, keep a water bottle with you and try to get through at least 1 more water bottle. If you wake up in the middle of the night to attend to your baby, keep a water bottle at your bedside and have a few sips then too. The results showed that during Ramadan the levels of zinc, magnesium, and potassium in breast milk decreased significantly and most nutrient intakes -except for protein and vitamins A and C- were found below the daily recommended dietary allowances necessary for breastfeeding women.
Via SimpleMost — Is it safe to fast during breastfeeding? A single mom who turned her teenage diaries into content creation.
Home Health and Nutrition Diet. Nada Khattab 30 April Table of contents. Facebook Twitter Messenger. Nursing mothers are advised to start pumping milk after or in-between breastfeeds and refrigerate it chilled or frozen. The expressed breast milk can be given to the child when required before Iftar.
Mothers are advised to delay the Suhoor meal until it is close to Imsak time. The meal should contain ingredients rich in complex carbohydrates, protein as well as high-fibre vegetables which will offer steady energy supply through the day.
They are also advised to eat a healthy, balanced meal for Iftar and follow it up with several small meals until Suhoor. Drinking plenty of liquids such as water, herbal tea, fresh juice, soup, etc. The campaign resources advise against drinking too much water or liquids just before fasting, as liquids are generally quickly expelled from the body and will make the person thirstier during the day.
Breastfeeding women are advised to spend time in quiet activities such as reading the Quran, and playing with the children, while avoiding any kind of strenuous activity during the fasting period and taking a nap whenever possible. The campaign suggests mothers monitor their babies for signs of dehydration, such as the change in urine colour or passing less urine.
Where to find breastfeeding support in the UAE Online breastfeeding clinics and antenatal support. Breastfeeding takes a lot of work and a lot of patience, but a little help with a trained consultant can make all the difference.
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