fasting and breastfeeding

[MumNWLondon]

Next week is a jewish 24 hour fast day (dusk to dusk, no liquids or food) - healthy pregnant and breastfeeding women are expected to fast.

I am EBF DS2 who is 12 weeks old. Breastfeeding is going well & he is sleeping all night, although HV a tiny bit concerned with weight gain (only 150g in 2 weeks). Just concerned enough to ask me to come back in 2 more weeks to be weighed again, was very supportive of me EBFing.

I am sure that the lack of food would make no difference at all to supply, but surely a lack of fluid is going to affect supply?

I have a stash in the freezer so could give bottles instead but that would affect supply even more.

Am I mad to be considering fasting? I usually do this fast but don't really want to starve DS2 or cause ongoing supply problems.

I wouldn't fast when you are breastfeeding in Ramadan muslims women who are breastfeeding do not fast as they need to eat to keep their strength up to care for the baby. If its hot you will need fluids to keep feeding your baby and keep yourself going.

It is a personal decsion though and depends how you feel about it.

i think you're mad but only because in this heat you're going to be really thirsty and could end up dehydrated

i think it would have zero impact on breastfeeding

so... your choice really.

There have been studies conducted on muslim women abroad who did long fasts but def less than 24 hrs (12-14 max) and it made no difference to the bfing, they had more fluid intake at night

(Sorry cant link to study but tiktok discussed it once ages ago)

I dont think that it will 'damage' yopur milk in any way, women in famine situations can still bf, but it will take its toll on your body

I have fasted when bfing but with older babies and only ever from dawn til dusk, i couldnt fast when pregnant without becoming weak and feeling ill but was fine when bfing

Can you start and see how it goes? Is there anyway of 'making up' the fast later/or doing a partial fast?

I wouldn't fast. When we've had Christian fast days, I have kept the rubrics of the fast that I could (e.g. abstained from meat) and eaten bland, boring food (e.g. no drinks other than water) to make up for the fast. I also substitute some other form of observance which will not affect DD for not being able to fast (e.g. spend more time in prayer).

However, Christians who are pregnant pr bf are not expected to fast, or at worst its left up to individual judgement, whereas I know that Jewish women are expected to fast for the 2 major fast days so I guess it all depends on how observant you are and how much it would worry you to 'break' a rule.
I believe that you are allowed to not keep the fast if there is a health issue, possibly DS's weight gain might constitute that?

If you are going to fast, I would suggest having a quiet day at home and not using any more energy than you have to. I would try offering the breast first at every feed, and using some of your stash if he still seems hungry. Also, I have heard of trying to get yourself as hydrated as possible before the fast starts - so really drink pints of water until your fingers go wrinkly the day before! I'm not a doctor though and I wouldn't do it personally, but your choice .

Thanks all for your comments.

There is no way of making up the fast Iie it has to be done on that day) but the importance of the day is slightly less after noon, so fasting from dusk until noon the next day would be better than not at all.

When I have tried this in the past, it was only really a problem by the afternoon (ie after more than 18 hours, when I did feel it impacted supply. I agree a shorter fast like ramadan (ie 12-14 hours) would be much more manageable, although that has the added difficulty that its not just a one off.

Yes, DS2's weight could constitute a health issue, but he is a healthy baby, just not gaining quite as fast as the charts.

A possible leniency is to drink small amounts (less than 30ml) at 10 minute intervals. This does not constitute breaking the fast. I think I might do that as esp if I use apple juice will make it very manageable. (Works out as roughly a litre every 5 hours).

I think you can do it if you drink in that way, what fluids are you allowed, just juice and water or milk/smoothie type things?

Can be any fluid (and even solids if need be) not more than "cheekful" around 30ml a a time. Yes, smoothie or apple juice is ideal.

I was nil by mouth for 2-3 days when my LO was about 4mo and we survived OK

Im not an expert but i wouldnt imagine 24 hours would make much difference even without fluids.
Could you give him the bottles from the freezer and express your milk while fasting?

I really didn't think that you had to fast if BF. Am sure that one of my former colleagues didn't for the same fast but if you do then am sure supply will be fine but you're likely to feel pretty awful by the end. Will you have some help for your big one or will he be at school?