Breastfeeding during Ramadan: Interview with Breastfeeding Specialist Midwife, Shaheda Yasmeen-Khan
Shaheda is a registered Midwife and Private Breastfeeding Specialist. She is passionate and committed to supporting mums and helping them get the positive feeding experience they want. She uses her clinical experience from working in an NHS trust to understand the challenges in the system that can affect a feeding journey. As a Muslim, Shaheda provides faith-centred support for Muslim pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and has a wealth of knowledge about pregnancy and breastfeeding during Ramadan.
What does Islam say about breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is regarded very highly in Islam. It is mentioned in the Quran (the words of Allah SWT revealed to prophet Muhammad around 1400 years ago). The passage from the Quran highlights quite simply that a woman can breastfeed up to 2 years and it is the father’s responsibility to provide for her so she is able to breastfeed. However, if there is a mutual agreement between both mother and father that they can not breastfeed, they can choose alternative ways to feed their baby.
2:233 Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.
How does Islam influence and shape your work as a Breastfeeding Specialist Midwife?
As we know in maternity healthcare, women who come from an ethnic minority background are more likely to have a negative experience in their care- whether that’s antenatal care, in labour and birth or postpartum. Breastfeeding support is already lacking amongst all women but more so within ethnic minorities because of unconscious bias and institutionalised racism that exists (and is no secret as the statistics show). Add cultural barriers that can impact feeding a newborn, this can be extra challenging for women in my community as well as other non- white communities. My religion enables me to build trust with women who are also Muslim as it allows me to be more empathetic and understanding of these cultural biases, but also allows me to educate parents and extended family members about feeding. With my understanding, both personally and professionally, it allows me to give a a balanced approach and personalised care that I can see mothers appreciate.
With Ramadan approaching, can a pregnant or breastfeeding mother fast safely?
In a nutshell yes, but there’s many things to consider and, in all honesty, only a mother can make this decision. However, Islam does also exempt breastfeeding mothers from fasting if she fears that it will harm her or her baby. Only she will know how she feels about fasting and the impact it can have on her and/or her baby.
Islam exempts nursing mothers from fasting if your health or baby’s health is at risk, as long as you make up the missed fasts later/ pay fidyah (a donation made when fasts are missed to feed the poor). Looking at all the studies & results that exist to explore fasting and breastfeeding, it is safe to say that if mothers & babies are healthy and established breastfeeding, fasting will not impact supply long-term. But it is age dependant as well; it will depend on the age of your baby, how you feel health-wise and the potential impact on your supply as some mums do notice a reduction in supply especially if the baby is younger . Babies over 12 months are less dependant on breast milk & have more meals compared to under 12 months, where milk is more nutritionally valuable & needed. If mum is establishing breastfeeding & her supply, fasting can have a negative impact as hydration & stimulation is key. As studies haven’t been done to show this, it's safer to exempt yourself from fasting (most likely women will have postpartum bleeding during this period anyway which will automatically exempt them as fasting is excused if women are bleeding).
Where can a pregnant or breastfeeding Muslim mother turn to for support and advice during Ramadan?
They can turn to a feeding specialist who is a Muslim like myself or an IBCLC or a breastfeeding counsellor who will have a better understanding of the Islamic background of fasting but also understand the impact on lactation. They can also turn to an Islamic scholar who will understand the importance of breastfeeding in Islam and the teachings behind it as well as the mother’s concerns.
What common misconceptions about Islam and breastfeeding frustrate you most?
The one that really frustrates me the most is how undervalued breastfeeding in the Muslim community and how it’s forgotten about the emphasis of breastfeeding in Islam. It is not fard (which means obligatory) in Arabic for women to breastfeed however, extended family members are very quick to make comments about breastfeeding in a negative way or encourage formula. Perhaps if they were reminded of the history of breastfeeding in Islam and the value it carries, I do feel it would be practiced and supported more in our community. I do also blame the introduction of formula for this though as many of our elders entered the UK at a time where breastfeeding wasn’t advocated for and formula was being pushed so they themselves used formula and were led tobelieved it “saved” their feeding journeys - so they are projecting this onto the next generation. At that time they didn’t know what we know now, so did the best they could at the time with the information they had.
How can non-Muslim practitioners better support a Muslim mother throughout Ramadan?
Fasting during Ramadan has been practiced for years and years now and, anecdotally, we know they many are OK to fast and breastfeed. I think non-Muslim practitioners shouldn’t be quick to discourage a mum from fasting just because she is breastfeeding. but look at how we fast and what can be done to support a mum. For example, this year the hours of fasting are much less compared to a couple of years ago when we fasted during summer where the hours between sunrise and sunset were longer. This year, sunrise will be around 5am and sunset will be just before 6pm- so that’s just over 12 hrs of fasting. Non-Muslim practitioners should consider the age of the baby/ how many months postpartum a mum is, and should be aware of how to support a mum to eat and drink well during the hours permitted (sunrise- sunset). For example, advise them to drink a lot of water during this time and eat high-fibre food which releases energy over a long period of time. They should give information to a mum about what to look out for while fasting that can be concerning so a mum knows if she should break her fast. Reduced nappies, fussy baby, unsettled, constantly eating are all signs of low supply.
What improvements would you like to see in the care provided to Muslim families in the UK?
I would like to see more of a diverse uptake in roles that involve giving lactation support to Muslim families. I would like to see organisations be more active in trying to make these courses and qualifications more accessible, so that those from an ethnic background will be encouraged to take on these roles and provide support for Muslim families. I would also like to see more awareness and education being provided to existing healthcare professionals and supporters so they can understand certain practices within our culture and community and how best to support Muslim families.
How can non-Muslim practitioners educate themselves on Muslim teachings surrounding pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and postpartum?
Speaking to professionals like myself to gain understanding, attending workshops and courses. but also not to be afraid to step down and give the platform to Muslim practitioners and give them the opportunity to support Muslim families.
Follow Shaheda’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mother.shaheda/
Visit Shaheda’s website: https://www.mothershaheda.co.uk/
