Religious Views and Breastfeeding Concerns
I had a very interesting discussion with a client of mine this week. She is an orthodox Jew with a 5-week old baby. We were talking about the Jewish holidays and the question of Yom Kippur arose. Because the Day of Atonement requires fasting, what do you do if you're a breastfeeding mom? In this case, the rabbi told her that she could have a shot glass of water every 4 minutes throughout the day. It's not my place to step on religious toes, so sticking with the clinical response is where I'll stay...If you are a breastfeeding mom and plan to fast, be aware that your milk supply may drop, albeit temporarily. You need to stay well-hydrated to maintain a solid milk supply. Yes, you need calories, too, but fluid is the more immediate concern. (Even in cases where you have a stomach virus and are having trouble keeping food down, drinking fluids with electrolytes is key.)
So, whether you're celebrating Yom Kippur, Ramadan, or fasting before taking your Holy Communion, be mindful of your milk supply. If you plan to fast, prepare ahead as well and have some bottles of expressed breast milk all ready to go. Then, once the period of time is over, eat plenty and enjoy!
Comments
My wife and I are both Conservative Jews who take halakhah (Jewish law) seriously). For our three children, my wife has taken on the practice of minimal hydration to maintain her milk supply, with some very minimal eating to go with that. That said, she and I differ on what one should do on Yom Kippur. Jewish law is clearer on the matter for a woman who is pregnant, who is allowed to eat on Yom Kippur after a few reminders to make sure that she really is hungry.
I did see a unique product in a kosher grocery story the other day. It was a liquid supplement with a host of herbs and other ingredients intended for a nursing mother to take the day before a Fast Day, so that her supply would be maintained during the fast. I have no idea if this supplement is effective in this regard at all. It was an Israeli product clearly aimed at the Yom Kippur observing audience.
Also, IMHO, the nutritional needs of the baby take precedence over the mother’s obligation to fast, IF there should be a conflict. If there is no conflict, the mother should fast.
Would anyone else like to comment?
Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone