Did you know that in Islam women who are pregnant or nursing their babies are permitted not to fast during Ramadan and to make up for the missed fasts at a later time?

Taking advantage of this Islamic exemption will benefit both the mother and the child, especially if the infant is under a year old. With very young babies there is the possibility that the milk supply could be affected by the fasting if it is just being established.

If you opt to fast when your baby is on solids and your milk supply is established, there is less of a possibility that your fasting may affect your milk production. Older babies who are breastfed don't seem to be impacted by their mother's Ramadan fasting in terms of weight gain or rate of growth.

The following are some helpful hints for mothers who are breastfeeding during a fast:

Since there is some evidence that fasting may impact the amounts of some nutrients (potassium, magnesium, and zinc) in breast milk, it is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to consume a healthy diet and may be advisable to take a vitamin supplement.

If you begin to notice signs of dehydration (headaches, feeling thirsty, feeling dizzy or faint), break your fast with water, ideally with some sugar and salt added, to rehydrate you quickly.