I am a breastfeeding mom. I am doing a complete fast (water only) from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. I have been doing this for three days now and not due to end until Friday which is two days away. I am also a working mom, so I have to pump at work. I've only been able to pump about six ounces per day which is way less than usual of around fourteen to sixteen ounces. I was wondering if any breastfeeding experts could tell me if the fast is causing this decrease and can show me where I can read for myself to back up there answers. I've tried the search engines and really didn't find enough information. I'm going to talk to my pastor's wife, but wanted to ask you guys first.
2007-01-17 08:46:01 · 9 answers · asked by MrsGreen 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks everyone for all of your answers. I spoke to my pastor's wife who suggested to eat! For those of you who think I'm selfish, I am thinking about my child, which is why I asked for opinions. It's not like I am not eating at all. I eat really well at night (several times at night) and didn't think that going during the day for a couple of days would effect my milk supply so quickly. So I am officially off the fast-with your suggestions and my pastor's wife suggestions as well, she stated they didn't even realize I was participating in the fast and told me not to go all day without eating. Yeah, I feel foolish, but this is the first time I've done this while breastfeeding.
2007-01-17 09:36:34 · update #1
If your body is not getting enough nutrition, then breast milk is going to be the first thing to suffer. I appreciate the fast you are doing, but right now may not be the time for it.
2007-01-17 08:51:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! The fast has decreased your caloric intake drastically, thereby decreasing your available nutrients and calories to produce milk, not to mention your own energy levels. I have to say, that as a lactation consultant, I would never recommend fasting to a breastfeeding mother. La Leche League does not recommend fasting for breastfeeding mothers as well. While the baby's needs will outweigh your own and your body will take from you valuable nutrients to support your baby, and you and your little one may survive okay.....this is NOT anywhere near optimal. How old is your baby? You could be facing some problems in the future as your baby is depending on certain nutrients from you to grow....particulary brain cells. I'm sorry, but I find this fast offensive to motherhood and do not believe that any god would wish a breastfeeding mother to possibly harm herself or her little one. What religion are you? If it looks on motherhood with so little respect...maybe you should think about leaving it.
2007-01-17 17:02:31 · answer #2 · answered by Medusa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a medical expert, I'm a fasting expert. I'm a Rabbi.
Yes. Fasting certainly affects breast milk production to the point that in Judaism it is forbidden for a nursing mother to fast.
I am not a member of your faith, so I can't tell you how your religion holds on the issue, but with us we believe to protect a human life isa commandment, but a fast is an act of piety in most cases, not a command. Obviously a command comes before piety. Your baby is in desperate need of your milk, and when you lack nutrition, even if the volume of milk is there (which it won't be) the nutritional content will be lacking. If you were my congragent, I'd tell you to finnish your fast, and engage in another type of devotion in its place.
2007-01-17 16:55:57 · answer #3 · answered by 0 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I talk to the hospital staff, from where I gave birth , they were very helpful with any breastfeeding questions I had, but you body is going to make sure you get the nutrition you need first, I would not fast.
2007-01-17 16:51:18 · answer #4 · answered by pepsiolic 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
um perhaps you should worry about the wellbeing of your child and of yourself before you do silly stuff like that. the wellfare of your child should come first and foremost.
if your christian there is a verse in the bible that even states fasting doesnt bring you closer to god, nor does eating bring you farther away.
if u think fasting is a necessity then you are claiming god is uncaring of mothers who have children such as that in your case.
1 Corinthians 8:8
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
2007-01-17 16:52:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it does! all things you eat or drink or don't have an impact on the breastmilk. the nutrients are pulled from YOUR system and when they aren't there they can't be passed along. did you check with your doctor before starting the fast?!
2007-01-17 16:50:56 · answer #6 · answered by Marysia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
............ what are you talking about? Of course it does. Where do you think that breast milk comes from? Your body from the food you eat.
That should be something logical that would occur to your brain. I think your fasting is affecting your thinking. And, if its doing that, then its definately affecting your breast milk.
2007-01-17 16:57:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes but it will affect your child's development due to malnutrition assuring it will be undeveloped enough to accept your religion.
2007-01-17 16:52:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say that it would (only an educated guess). I don't know why you would be fasting anyway but you need to stop now.
2007-01-17 16:51:31 · answer #9 · answered by Nemesis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋