Tips for fasting among pregnant and nursing mothers

12th Ramadan 1431H

BLOG POST BY MUMMY:

It has almost been 2 weeks since Muslims perform fasting in this holy month of Ramadan. Thankfully, everything seems to be going smoothly and well. However, from experience, I have always been a bit concerned about fasting while breastfeeding at the same time. I also had the experience (with all three children) of being pregnant while fasting but Alhamdulillah, with determination and endless support from hubby and others, I managed.

While reading a newspaper today, I came across some great tips by a OBGYN expert for pregnant and nursing mothers during the fasting month. By sharing these tips, I hope that mothers like me can go on performing their fast, InsyaAllah. Here are the tips:

• Delay sahur
• Increase intake of protein, fruits and vegetables
• Take fresh fruit juices when breaking the fast
• Limit intake of tea, coffee and soft drinks
• Limit intake of fried and salty foods, instead choose baked, grilled and steamed foods
• Increase intake of water in between dusk and dawn

The following are some of the recommended foods to take:

• Iron: liver, beef, cereals, prune and nuts
• Folic acid: Green vegetables, eggs and wheat products
• Calcium: Milk, yoghurt, cheese, taufu, broccoli, nuts, soy and juices

In short;

• Avoid Excessive foods with fats, sugar, salt and caffein
• Go for fresh foods
• Practice a low-fat diet and reduce intake of fried foods
• To increase milk supply, maintain a healthy diet with lots of protein and water intake
  

However, always remember that every individual is different, so always listen to your own body and follow your doctor's advise. Health of you and your baby is the top priority, always! It should be noted that the following conditions calls for a pregnant mother to discontinue fasting:

• Hypoglycemia (low glucose level in blood)
  
• Less-active fetus

In addition to the above, I also came across some tips by my dietitian friend in our local newspaper regarding healthy foods for kids. According to her:

• Always start the day with a good breakfast which include foods rich in complex carbohydrates such as oats, wholemeal bread, high-fibre crackers or biscuits and protein-rich food such as cheese, baked beans, tuna, sardines and eggs.
• Breakfast eaters have higher levels of attention in classes and fewer hunger-induced stomach aches in the morning.
• DHA is important for the brain and retina of the eye, and this can be found in green leafy vegetables, soybeans, walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, eggs, salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel and local oily fish such as tamban, seabass, bakulan and terubok.
  

Hope the above information helps. Salam Ramadan!