Fasting and breastfeeding, it’s not easy but possible. Everything you need to know for Yom Kippur: who must fast? Who is exempt from fasting? How important is it to prepare for fasting? And how should one behave during the fast?
Yom Kippur is not an easy challenge for nursing women who have to fast, how should a nursing woman behave who provides food for her baby, exclusively in the first months of his life?
Rabbi of Klalit Rabbi Menachem Lafkebaker and Erica Rosenstock, national breastfeeding coordinator, head nurse system at Klalit, bring the instructions in a detailed and clear manner
Who must fast?
- The Halacha states that breastfeeding women must fast on Yom Kippur, however, for any real health concern for them or their baby, personal medical consultation is necessary and consultation with a halachic rabbi is considered an exceptional personal ruling.
- Fasting while breastfeeding raises questions about the health of two different people – the breastfeeding mother and the breastfeeding baby. For the majority of healthy breastfeeding women, fasting does not pose a medical risk, and in most cases, the mother’s fasting will not harm the baby’s nutritional needs.
- A woman who gives birth is exempt from fasting for the first three days after giving birth. From three days to a week after giving birth, if she feels the need to eat and drink to feed the baby, then she can drink and eat “in classes”. “Lessons” are small portions at a time distance from each other so they are not considered a meal: up to 40 ml of drink, a 30 cc (bis-two) portion 9 minutes apart.
- Starting one week after giving birth, healthy breastfeeding women must fast.
Healthy women with healthy babies born on time (week 37 onwards) and with established breastfeeding, usually go through the fast without any disturbances or risks to them or the baby.
It is recommended for a woman to consult a doctor and rabbi several days before the fast in order to know if she is indeed required to fast in full – it is important to know that there are cases where fasting is relaxed for breastfeeding women. It is important to guide the women to inform the rabbi about important medical issues such as – the woman’s general health condition – chronic diseases, chronic medications as well as her condition after giving birth – the mother suffered from heavy bleeding, blood pressure, lack of milk, etc. Also, the condition of the baby is an extremely important factor – whether the baby was born on time, whether the baby is developing as expected or whether there are nutritional and health problems.
Preparation for fasting:
- In the days before the fast, it is recommended to be careful with drinking. The recommended amount is 2-3 liters a day.
- It is possible and advisable to prepare expressed milk in the days before the start of the fast so that it can be given to the baby in case the woman fears that the fast will make it difficult for her to breastfeed.
- The day before the fast: it is recommended to eat complex carbohydrates that break down slowly – whole grains (whole grain rice, whole wheat bread or pasta, buckwheat, etc.) and legumes. Avoid diuretic (drying) foods such as parsley, sage, mint and peppermint, caffeinated drinks and foods (coffee, green and black tea, cola, chocolate) and alcohol.
- It is recommended to prepare together with the family for possible help in order to make it easier for the woman and allow her to breastfeed.
During the fast:
- It is recommended to stay in air-conditioned places and avoid physical exertion (according to Halacha, fasting is more important than attendance at synagogue).
- Do not skip breastfeeding during the fast in order not to reach a state of congestion.
- “Lessons” are small portions at a time distance from each other so they are not considered a meal: 40 to 100 ml of drink, a 30 cc (bits-two) portion 9 minutes apart.
After the fast:
- It is recommended to drink gradually and eat small meals often.
- It is recommended to breastfeed frequently upon breaking the fast and the next day, in order to help the body return to milk production in the normal quantities (the fast may slightly reduce the amount produced).
- It is recommended to plan the day after the fast as a calm day in order to allow recovery from the fast and breastfeed the baby often.
- If the mother feels a decrease in the amount of milk, or the baby is not gaining weight as expected, it is recommended to breastfeed often in order to increase the milk production again and to ensure normal amounts of milk for the baby. You can also pump milk in order to increase the stimulation of milk production and give it to the baby if necessary. For any difficulty, you can talk to a general lactation consultant.
- These instructions are general – in complex situations it is recommended to consult a doctor and a rabbi before the fast