Breastfeeding during fasting in Ramadan
20 July 2013, 18:00 PM
UPDATED
20 July 2013, 22:13 PM
Breast milk is the best food for neonates and infants. Exclusive breastfeeding means feeding on breast milk only up to six months of life. Afterward, some complementary food should be started along with breast milk to minimise the energy gap.
Many people think that children do not get adequate breast milk from a mother who is fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. However, several studies have showed that temporary fasting as in Ramadan does not decrease the flow or volume of breast milk but only some minor changes in composition may occur.
Micronutrients like Zinc, Magnesium, Potassium may decrease in fasting but that do not impair the growth and development of babies. If a mother wishes to keep fasting having a small kid, may fast without any hesitation as this will not hamper breastfeeding of her baby. Even, no extra milk is necessary if the baby is less than six months old.
But diabetic mother or mother with serious illness need further advice from their respective physicians regarding exclusive breast-feeding while fasting in Ramadan.
Muslim women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may be exempt from fasting if their health or the baby's health is affected by fasting. The mother may compensate for the missed fasting at a later time or pay some expiation for not fasting — whatever is appropriate according to Islamic rule.
So, mothers having small kids generally can continue fasting if they wish unless complicated by other conditions. Fasting will not hamper baby's nutrition if the baby is on breast milk only.
The writer is a Professor of Paediatrics, Community Based Medical College, Mymensingh.
E-mail: mmukkhan@gmail.com
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