BREASTFEEDING IN RAMADHAN
For Somali Diet
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS TO MAINTAIN A GOOD MILK SUPPLY
ALIYA S. HAQ MS, RD, CD
WIC, HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER
Seattle, WA
Reviewed by Salma Musa, Somali Cultural Mediator, HMC
September 2007
- Begin your fast at “suhoor” with a glass of 2 % milk,
a bowl of fresh or cooked vegetables and a fruit along with a serving of
lean meat and “Anjara”( pan cooked crepe), pasta, “Roti”(
pan cooked wheat bread) or rice. In case of poor appetite, drink at least
a glass of milk and eat a fruit.
- Rest frequently during the day and continue breastfeeding
as usual.
- At “Afur” when you break your fast, eat fresh fruits
and drink a glass of juice or milk shake. Limit “Sambosa” (deep fried
pastry) or “Mandazi” (deep fried sweet bread) to not more than
a serving.
- Let your dinner be like your “suhoor”. Be sure to include
milk and vegetables.
- Avoid fried foods at “Suhoor” and “Afur” as they
increase thirst, reduce your milk supply and make your fast uncomfortable.
- Limit caffeinated tea or coffee to 2 cups a day. Drinking
too much tea or coffee makes you lose body water and increase thirst.
- Fruits and vegetables help prevent thirst, and maintain
breast milk supply.
- As you know, Qur’an recommends that you breastfeed your
child for two years. Consider postponing your fast if you fear your breast
milk supply will drop. Consult your religious leader.
- Breast milk will give your child a life time of health
and intelligence.
- For more information on this topic, contact Aliya Haq
at 206.744.8476, or email at: ahaq@u.washington.edu.
© 1995-2008; University of Washington
Harborview Medical
Center
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