Copypaste from Positive Parenting!
Preparing For
Ramadan With
Your Baby
Tips for breastfeeding while fasting in
the Holy Month
By Dr Balkees Abdul Majeed, Paediatrician and Lactation Consultant
Ramadan is the ninth lunar month in the Islamic calendar.
Fasting in this month is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Performing fast during Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslims.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may be exempted
from fasting if they feel that their health or the baby's health
would be negatively affected by the fasting. The mother,
however, will have to compensate for the missed fasting at a
later date or pay some expiation for not fasting.
The human body has natural regulatory mechanisms that
activate during fasting. There is efficient utilization of body
fat and basal metabolism slows down during Ramadan fasting.
Studies have shown that there is no significant difference on
macronutrient composition of breast milk and consequently
has no effect on the growth of infants.
Tips for breastfeeding during Ramadan
The most significant difference in the month of Ramadan is
the time to eat. Mothers who usually eat breakfast, lunch and
evening meals should instead eat during dawn and after their
fast is broken in the evening. We have listed a few practical
hints you can follow to supply the maximum amount of
balanced nutrition for both you and your child during
Ramadan:
- Increase fluid intake between fasts.
When fasting, liquid is reduced to as much as 2-3% in the
body. The human body adjusts to reduce perspiration and
urine production. Drink sufficient water (not soft-drinks)
especially in the morning before resuming your fast. This
helps to avoid dehydration.
- Go for a balanced diet
Eating nutritious food at dawn and during iftar (breaking
fast) is important. Try to include the following food in
your meal plan:
- Meat and beans are a good source of protein, minerals,
and certain vitamins. Beans are a good source of dietary
fibre too.
- Whole wheat bread, oat cereal or cooked rice are a good
source of complex carbohydrates, and help nourish your
body with energy, protein,
minerals and dietary fibre.
- Fresh fruits, vegetable juices
and soups help maintain
liquid balance in the body.
- Milk and dairy products are
good sources of protein and
calcium, which are essential for
body tissue maintenance and several
physiological functions.
Note: The body's immediate need at the time of iftar is
to get instant energy for body functioning. Don't forget
to take dates as they are good sources of sugar. Three to
four dates should be sufficient to bring low blood glucose
levels to normal levels.
- Get enough rest
The milk production will not be affected as long as the
infant continues breastfeeding.
- Increase nursing sessions during night time.
- Have regular milk expressing sessions at work place to
maintain milk production.
- Psychologically, the belief that breast milk will remain
smooth during fasting should also remain strengthened.
This is a big influence on milk production.
Important
tip!
|
| Avoid caffeinated drinks
such as coke, coffee or tea.
Besides being a diuretic, a
sudden decrease in caffeine
also can prompt headache,
mood swings and
irritability. |
|
|
