Someone who isn't an active poster on this list thought this info might 
be helpful at some point, should someone be working with a mom who 
practices Islam.

begin quoted material:

<<Islam allows those who are sick, traveling or too old to not fast 
during Ramadan (which is a month of sun-up to sun-down fasting, no 
drinks or food, any nourishment).  Under the category of "sick "is 
pregnant or nursing mothers.  Anything that is bad for your health, that 
hurts the body, is not allowed in Islam.  So this gives some lee-way in 
the topic of breastfeeding and fasting.  There are some Muslims that 
feel a pregnant or breastfeeding mother should never fast, as the 
effects on the baby are unknown, so the *possible* risk to the baby 
takes precendence over the mother's desire to fast according to 
religious requirements.  For example, the mother might feel okay, but 
the baby inside might be very hungry and in pain and the mother does not 
know.  Or if the breastfeeding mother's milk supply is seriously 
compromised, than she should not fast.  If the milk suuply is not 
compromised, then it is okay to fast.  It would depend on the effect of 
the fast on the breastfeeding mother.  There are other Muslims that feel 
a pregnant or breastfeeding mother has to fast unless there are clear 
*proof* of the negative effects on the baby.

A sidenote.... this issue tends to have cultural aspects too....  In 
Africa pregnant or breastfeeding mothers RARELY fast during Ramadan, 
it's just generally accepted that it is a risk to the baby, which is not 
allowed in Islam (risking any person's health).  However, in the Middle 
East and the Gulf, almost 100% of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers 
fast, regadless or circumstances.  I'm not sure about ASian Muslims 
(Malaysian or Indonesian Muslims).  And these patterns continue when 
Muslims move to the US.  Africans rarely fast while pregnant or 
breastfeeding, Arabs usually always fast, even if told by doctors not to.

Anyway, I just thought this info. might be helpful to your list, I'm 
basically writing this for lactation consultants to have some info. if 
they'd advising Muslim clients.>>

:)
katherine in atl

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