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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