7 Ways to Meet the Fluid Needs of Breastfeeding Mothers During Fasting

Muslimcreed – During fasting, the mother must endure hunger and thirst for approximately 13 hours every day. This means that the fluid in the body will decrease continuously which makes the body become dehydrated.

In fact, breastfeeding mothers need lots of fluids so that milk production becomes smooth and the baby’s nutritional needs are still met even though they are fasting. Well, here are some tips that you can do to keep your body fluids full.

Read also : Attitude of mother

1. Keep enough fluid needs during suhoor and iftar

You should still meet fluid needs during fasting, at least eight glasses of mineral water every day. You can divide this measure into eight different times. For example one glass when breaking the fast, one glass before and tarawih prayers, one glass before going to bed, when you wake up, before dawn and at dawn.

These rules can change according to your activities. However, you should consume more than eight glasses of mineral water during fasting to ensure the body does not become dehydrated. In addition, make sure the body really has sufficient daily fluid needs, so that you stay hydrated throughout the fast.

2. Don’t eat fried food at suhoor

You should not eat various types of fried foods at dawn. These foods contain oils and saturated fats that can make the mother thirsty. Oil can also expose the mother to stomach acid and absorb water in the body, causing you to become dehydrated.

Mothers should eat more fiber intake such as fruit and vegetables at dawn. Also fulfill the intake of complex carbohydrates, protein and good fats. You can get these fats in nuts and seeds.

3. Do not consume ice water when breaking the fast

When breaking the fast, you will be very tempted to drink ice water because it looks fresh and can be a thirst quencher. However, this habit is actually wrong. When the stomach is empty throughout the day, then ice water enters the body, there will be an unbalanced increase in body temperature.

The increase in temperature can make gas in the body become a lot and cause the stomach to become nauseous and sore. If the pain persists, it can cause the body to become so weak that you lose a lot of fluids. If you want to drink iced water, you should first start by consuming plain water, then consume several types of appetizers. When the stomach is full, you can only drink ice.

4. Avoid caffeinated drinks at dawn

At dawn you should avoid the bad habit of consuming coffee. This drink can cause the mother to experience an increase in stomach acid quickly. As a result, when fasting arrives, you get ulcers and other digestive disorders.

Coffee can also cause you to experience frequent bowel movements. When the digestive system is disturbed, the fluid in the body will decrease which causes the mother to become dehydrated. Not only that, caffeine is able to absorb fluids in the body, so that milk production is inhibited.

5. Don’t consume too many sugary drinks at suhoor

In addition to salty foods, one of the drinks that you should avoid at dawn is too sweet intake. The high sugar content can absorb water in the body and make you very thirsty during fasting. In addition, sugar can also make you have diabetes which can interfere with milk production and suppress nutrition in babies.

You can consume sweet drinks or foods to taste, to meet blood sugar in the body. However, keep using the right dose so as not to overdo it and make the mother exposed to several complications of the disease.

6. Avoid all kinds of salty food

At the time of suhoor you should not eat foods that are too salty. The salt content in food can make the body dehydrated. The reason is, salt works by absorbing water in the body, which makes you quickly feel thirsty, hungry and dehydrated.

You should multiply foods that are high in fiber, so that the digestive system remains smooth and avoids constipation. Don’t forget to always drink water at the time of breaking the fast and before the imsak arrives.

7. Consuming breast milk at the time of breaking the fast and suhoor

In addition to fiber intake, you must also meet your daily protein needs by drinking breast milk every iftar and suhoor. You can drink it at night before going to bed and after eating in the morning. Look for the type of breastfeeding mother’s milk that contains calcium, potassium, vitamin B complex, phosphorus and iron.

So, breastfeeding mothers can still fast as long as their fluid needs are met.