Breastfeeding and Ramadan: How to balance faith and health?
- Elise Armoiry My Baby Moon
- Feb 8
- 2 min read
Breastfeeding and Ramadan
For many Muslim mothers, the month of Ramadan raises a delicate question: how to reconcile the religious obligation of fasting with the nutritional needs of their child? While Islam provides an exemption (rukhsa), reality shows that the majority of mothers choose to fast.
1. Breastfeeding and Ramadan: The reality of practices in 2025
A recent study conducted among 1,130 breastfeeding mothers highlighted key figures:
A majority practice: Nearly 84% of breastfeeding mothers choose to fast during Ramadan.
Impact on the child: For healthy mothers, fasting has no significant influence on the child's weight or infant growth.
Milk composition: Research indicates that the calorie and macronutrient content of breast milk remains stable despite fasting.
2. Understanding the "Exemption" (Rukhsa)
Although fasting is a pillar of Islam, all schools of thought agree on one point: it must not harm the health of the mother or the child.
Breastfeeding and Ramadan: The decision is yours: You are the sole judge of your physical capabilities. No external justification is required to use this exemption if you fear for your health or that of your baby.
The principle of priority: Preserving the health of the mother-child dyad is a priority. If breast milk is the sole source of nutrition (baby under 6 months), many scholars believe that the child's nutrition takes precedence over fasting.
3. Warning signs: When should you break the fast?
It is imperative to listen to your body. Health professionals recommend breaking the fast immediately if you observe:
Severe dehydration (very dark urine).
Dizziness, extreme weakness, or persistent headaches.
A visible drop in lactation or a change in the child's behavior (sign they are not receiving enough milk).
Stagnation of the baby's weight or abnormal weight loss in the mother.
4. Practical advice for mothers who choose to fast
Nighttime hydration: Ensure you drink plenty of fluids between sunset and sunrise to compensate for the day's losses.
Prior consultation: It is strongly advised to discuss your intention to fast with a health professional (doctor or IBCLC lactation consultant) before the start of the month of Ramadan.
The "Stop-Start" method: You can begin the fast with the intention of observing it, but give yourself permission to interrupt it at the first worrying symptom.
Conclusion
Fasting while breastfeeding is a personal and spiritual decision. While recent studies are reassuring regarding the absence of major negative effects for healthy women, vigilance remains essential. Listen to your body and your baby, and remember that health is a priority recognized by both medicine and faith.
Bibliography
El-Kurdy et al. (2025). "The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Breastfeeding Practices of Muslim Women", Breastfeeding Medicine, Vol. 20.
Elise Armoiry for IPA (Information Pour l'Allaitement). "Allaiter pendant le Ramadan", based on the work of Zainab Yate and Dr. Shereen Soliman.
Contact me for advice or questions:
"My Baby Moon" by Elise Armoiry, IBCLC lactation consultant & founder of My Baby Moon. More than 2,000 families supported since 2014.
Doctor of Pharmacy by training, specialized in breastfeeding and sleep.Possums Practitioner (Dr Pam Douglas NDC Approach)
Tel: 00337.49.50.67.82
Website: https://www.mybabymoonibclc.com
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