Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, And Fasting
Is it safe to fast while breastfeeding or pregnant? These questions are very common, especially for those wishing to fast for religious reasons and especially during major holidays. Many Christians will fast during Lent, while Muslims fast during the holy month of Ramadhan, and Jews fasting during Yom Kippur. While it might be safe for many people to fast during these religious holidays, it might not be a wise decision for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to do so. Doing so could put both the mother and baby's life at risk, one of the reasons you need to be careful about it.
Is It Safe to Fast When Pregnant?
While it may be possible to fast when pregnant, balancing between pregnancy and fasting can be a delicate affair. According to researchers and health experts, fasting for a number of hours, or even days could cause the body to produce ketone bodies. These bodies are produced when the body detects low food intake after a certain period of time. The production of ketones may harm the growing fetus.
Every pregnancy is unique in many ways. That said, you might want to check with your obstetrician first before taking the bold step to fast. The obstetrician will tell you whether it is safe to fast, for how long, and if it is not safe to do so. Some of the factors the doctor will put into consideration to determine your safety include the trimester you are in and any medical conditions you or the baby might have.
Whether the doctor gives you the go-ahead to fast or not, you must stay hydrated. Dry fasting isn't therefore recommended for pregnant mothers, and for a good reason. First, water plays a crucial role in the development of the fetus, and so is the health of the mother. Any form of dehydration may lead to congenital disabilities, preterm labour, and low levels of amniotic fluid. Consider taking at least eight glasses of water every day, and avoid strenuous activities if cleared to fast for a short period.Can You Fast While Breastfeeding?
For a healthy mother, fasting for a day or two might not affect the mother's ability to produce enough milk. It would, however, be advisable to increase your fluid intake a few days before commencing the fasting period. You'll also want to stay away from strenuous activities to preserve the much-needed calories.
Every nursing mother (fasting) should take enough fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration. Make it a habit of drinking a glass of water each time you have to breastfeed, and a few more within the course of the day. Continue doing this until the fasting period is over. Fasting for several days may, however, start affecting the quality and quantity of milk your body can produce. That said, you need to find a way to ensure your body is still capable of producing nutritious milk for the baby. Your body, too, needs these nutrients to recover. Depleting its nutrient and calorie sources can have both short-term and long-term health effects on both you and the baby.
Starvation or fasting for long periods of time isn't recommended at all for breastfeeding moms. Doing this not only affects the body's ability to produce enough milk but could also slow down the baby's growth rate. It wouldn't, therefore, be wise to fast a few days or weeks after giving birth. Health experts advise breastfeeding mothers to have plenty of nutritious foods to encourage recovery, milk production, and the baby's good health. Having different foods and meals (nutritious, of course) also exposes the baby to the various flavors, hence recommended too.
Whether nursing a pregnancy or newborn, good health and wellbeing should be your top priority. If you, however, have a push to fast for a day or two or even a week, you might then want to follow the following tips.
- Talk to a doctor or midwife before beginning your fast. As mentioned earlier, every pregnancy/mom is different. You'll need expert advice on this.
- Drink lots of water: You don't want to risk dehydration when pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep your body well-nourished and hydrated by taking plenty of water and soft foods.
- Don't fast for too long: Your body (and the fetus) require lots of nutrients for nourishment and development of the baby. That said, fasting for too long will only trigger the production of ketones, a process that could affect the baby.
- Don't feel guilty for not fasting: While everyone else around you might be fasting (for lent, Ramadhan, or Yom Kippur), and you shouldn't feel guilty for not doing it. Most religions will give pregnant and breastfeeding mothers a pass during these times. Both you and your baby need extra food for good health for many months and years to come.
