Fasting While Breastfeeding: What to Consider This Ramadan
Breastfeeding & Fasting: Making an Informed, Intentional Decision
Deciding whether or not to fast while pregnant or breastfeeding can feel heavy. For many mothers, this decision comes with questions, pressure, and sometimes guilt. It’s important to know that this choice is deeply personal and should be made from a place of knowledge, intention, and compassion for yourself and your baby.
My role as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is not to tell you whether you should or should not fast, but to provide evidence-based information so you can make the decision that is best for your body and your child. I am not a scholar. If you have questions about Islamic obligations or exemptions, I encourage you to speak with a trusted imam or scholar.
Ramadan, Preparation, and Motherhood
As Ramadan approaches, many mothers ask the same questions:
“How do women breastfeed and fast?”
“Am I exempt if I’m breastfeeding?”
“Will my milk supply drop?”
These are valid concerns — and you are not alone.
Fasting (ṣawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam, but Allah ﷻ reminds us that the foundation of our faith is mercy:
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)
Islam does not ask us to cause harm to ourselves or to those entrusted to our care such as our children. they are an amanah entrusted to our care.
Breastfeeding in the Qur’an
Breastfeeding is mentioned repeatedly in the Qur’an, highlighting its importance for both mother and child:
“Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing period.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:233)
“His bearing and weaning are thirty months…”
(Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:15)
These verses align beautifully with what modern research now calls the first 1,000 days — from conception through a child’s second birthday — a critical window for growth, development, and long-term health.
Fasting and Breastfeeding: An Informed, Islamic Perspective
Islam is a religion of mercy, balance, and wisdom. It recognizes both the rights of children and the limits of caregivers. Within Islamic jurisprudence, many scholars hold that if fasting causes harm to the mother or compromises a child’s nourishment, fasting may be delayed or exempted, with make-up days or fidyah (charitable compensation) offered according to one’s situation. This reflects a foundational principle in Islam: there should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm.
For breastfeeding mothers, especially those with infants who are under 6 months of age or solely reliant on breast milk, the decision to fast deserves thoughtful, informed consideration—spiritually, medically, and practically.
Evidence-Based Considerations for Fasting While Breastfeeding
Breast milk production is a hormonally driven, supply-and-demand process that is highly sensitive to:
Hydration status
Caloric intake and nutrient density
Frequency and effectiveness of milk removal
Maternal stress and fatigue
Research and clinical experience consistently show that prolonged fasting—particularly without adequate hydration and nutrition during non-fasting hours—can increase the risk of:
Decreased milk supply
Maternal dehydration and dizziness
Extreme fatigue that interferes with caregiving
Reduced milk transfer for the infant
While some mothers are able to fast without noticeable changes, others experience a rapid and sometimes irreversible decline in milk production, especially when feeds are skipped, pumping is reduced, or supplementation is introduced.
Every body responds differently. There is no single, universal answer.
Infants’ Rights and Breastfeeding in Islam
In Islam, children have a clear right to nourishment, care, and protection. Breast milk is uniquely suited to meet an infant’s nutritional, immunological, and developmental needs—particularly in the first 6 months of life when infants rely entirely on their mother’s milk.
If fasting leaves a mother severely fatigued, dehydrated, or unable to adequately nourish her child, Islamic teachings encourage her to seek guidance and make a decision rooted in wisdom and mercy, not guilt or comparison.
Ultimately, this is a matter between you and Allah ﷻ.
You know your body.
You know your baby.
Allah knows your intention.
Formula Is Not a Neutral Substitute
It is important to state clearly and I say this with compassion:
Infant formula is NOT the same as human milk.
While formula can be medically necessary and lifesaving in certain situations, it does not provide the living immune protection, bioactive components, or dynamic responsiveness of breast milk. For younger infants in particular, formula use is associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. There have been substantial reports of formula contamination in the last few years resulting in significant long term infant illness, if breastfeeding is going well, the risk of formula use outweighs the benefit especially for very young infants.
Using formula solely as a backup in order to fast deserves careful consideration. Even short-term supplementation can:
Reduce milk supply by decreasing demand
Alter infant feeding behavior
Disrupt the breastfeeding relationship
Lead to early weaning when breastfeeding was otherwise going well
Alter your baby’s gut bacteria and lead to increased risk of allergies later in life
Supply does not always fully recover once it drops.
“Formula can feed a baby, but it cannot replace a functioning breastfeeding relationship once it is lost.”
Because our children have a right to nourishment from their mother’s milk when it is available, this decision should be weighed with seriousness, knowledge, and foresight.
The Importance of Professional Support
For mothers considering fasting while breastfeeding—especially those with:
Infants under 6 months
A history of low milk supply
Multiple babies
High physical demands
Prior breastfeeding challenges
…it is strongly recommended to meet with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) before Ramadan if you have concerns about milk supply or your baby’s needs. Join my Exclusive Community for a safe space to discuss these concerns.
An IBCLC can help you:
Assess personal and infant risk factors
Create a supportive nutrition and hydration plan
Plan feeding and pumping strategies
Identify early warning signs of supply decline or infant intake issues
Make an informed plan that protects both your worship and your baby’s well-being
This is not about discouraging fasting—it is about ensuring that if you choose to fast, you do so safely, sustainably, and with full awareness.
A Decision Rooted in Mercy
Many mothers fast without fully understanding how sensitive milk production truly is, assuming they can “just use formula if needed.” What is often misunderstood is that once breastfeeding is disrupted, it may not be easily restored.
Islam does not ask mothers to harm themselves or their children in the pursuit of worship. Choosing not to fast during a season of intense physical demand—such as exclusive breastfeeding—can itself be an act of obedience, trust, and submission to Allah’s wisdom.
Whatever you decide, let it be:
Informed by knowledge
Guided by compassion
Supported by professionals
Anchored in faith
May Allah ﷻ reward every mother for her intention, her care, and her unseen sacrifices.
Why Human Milk Is So Important
Human milk is uniquely designed for your baby and changes as your baby grows. It provides:
the right balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
immune support that helps protect against illness
support for gut health and brain development
hydration (human milk is about 88% water)
Human milk continues to offer nutritional and immune benefits well beyond infancy.
Breastfeeding also benefits mothers, lowering the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. These protective effects increase the longer a mother breastfeeds.
Major health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years or beyond — a recommendation that closely mirrors Islamic guidance present in the Quran and the Sunnah.
How Fasting Can Affect Breastfeeding
Research on fasting and breastfeeding is limited, but what we do know suggests:
The nutritional makeup of milk usually remains stable
Milk volume is more sensitive, especially when hydration is inadequate
Short or occasional fasts may be tolerated by some mothers
Prolonged, consecutive fasts — especially without sufficient hydration — may reduce milk supply
Hydration plays a critical role. While the body can often compensate for short periods without food, insufficient fluid intake is more likely to impact milk production. It is important to work closely with an IBCLC if you plan to fast during Ramadan when your baby is under 6 months and fully dependent on your milk. This is a crucial time where your milk supply may need additional support.
Important Factors to Consider
Do you regularly fast outside of Ramadan?
How old is your baby, and how dependent are they on breast milk?
Have you had supply challenges in the past?
Do you have medical conditions that affect hydration or milk production?
Every breastfeeding journey is different. What works for one mother may not work for another.
Signs of Dehydration or Low Milk Intake
For the mother:
Dark or infrequent urine
Headaches, dizziness, fatigue
Breasts feel softer between feeds
For the baby:
Fewer wet diapers than usual
Dark or strong-smelling urine
Dry lips or mouth
Increased fussiness or dissatisfaction at the breast
Poor weight gain
Increased fussiness at the breast outside of normal clsuterfeeding
If you notice these signs, it’s important to seek support promptly.
If You Choose to Fast While Breastfeeding
Some mothers find it helpful to:
Prepare by fasting occasionally before Ramadan
Prioritize hydration between sunset and dawn - some research has shown that “super-hydrting” during non-fasting hours can prevent daytime dehydration.
Eat nutrient-dense, balanced meals
Limit caffeine
Breastfeed frequently and on demand
Monitor both your body and your baby closely
If concerns arise, working with a lactation consultant can help protect your milk supply and your well-being. Join my Exclusive Community if you need ongoing support with breastfeeding during Ramadan.
If You Choose Not to Fast
Please know:
You are not failing
Your caregiving is an act of worship
Feeding a fasting person carries great reward
Making up fasts later or giving charity are valid and meaningful options
Ramadan is about drawing closer to Allah — not pushing your body beyond its limits or risking the health and wellbeing of your baby.
Niyyah: Finding Spiritual Connection in Caregiving
One of the most beautiful concepts in Islam is niyyah (intention). With intention, even everyday acts become worship.
Breastfeeding with intention is a powerful act of ‘ibadah. You are:
fulfilling your child’s rights
providing sustenance (rizq) directly from your body
engaging in mercy, patience, and sacrifice
During Ramadan — when good deeds are multiplied — caring for your child with intention holds immense spiritual weight.
A Final Reminder
There is no single “right” choice — only the choice that best supports your health, your baby’s needs, and your ability to worship with sincerity and presence. It may be beneficial to check in with an Imam if you have persistent concerns or an IBCLC if you feel you need additional support in maintaining milk supply.
May Allah ﷻ grant you ease, clarity, and acceptance this Ramadan.
May every act of care be counted as worship. Ameen.
Breastfeeding while fasting is not one-size-fits-all. If your baby is under 6 months or fully reliant on your milk, personalized support matters. In my exclusive community, you’ll have access to IBCLC-led education, nutrition guidance, and real conversations to help you assess risks and protect your breastfeeding relationship.
👉 Join the exclusive community for informed, individualized support.
