Do breastfeeding mothers have to fast?

Detailed answer

A breastfeeding mother is not obliged to fast if fasting would harm her or her baby, for example by reducing her milk supply or exhausting her. She makes up the missed days later. If she is healthy, her baby is thriving and she feels able, she may fast.

What the Quran and Sunnah say

Islam does not ask anyone to fast at the cost of real harm: "Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you" (Al-Baqarah 2:185). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that Allah has relieved the pregnant and the breastfeeding woman of fasting (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and others). Scholars generally agree on this exemption.

In practice

• Age of the baby matters. A newborn or a baby who only drinks breast milk depends on you completely; many mothers of young babies do not fast. With an older baby who also eats food, fasting is often easier.
• Ask your doctor, midwife or health visitor, ideally someone who understands fasting, especially if your baby was premature or is not gaining weight well.
• Watch the signs. Fewer wet nappies, a fussy, hungry baby, or you feeling dizzy, very thirsty or faint are reasons to break the fast.
• If you fast, drink plenty of water between iftar and suhoor, eat a filling suhoor and rest when you can. See how much water to drink in Ramadan.

Making up the days

The days you miss are made up later, when you are able, for example once your baby is weaned or during the short winter days. Some scholars hold that fidya (feeding a poor person for each day) applies in some cases; this is explained in make-up fasts or fidya, which also applies to breastfeeding mothers.

What if pregnancy and breastfeeding follow each other?

Some women miss several Ramadans in a row. The days stay owed, but there is no sin in the delay, because it had a valid reason. Make them up gradually when you can. If you are unsure about your own situation, ask a trusted local scholar.

Caring for your baby is itself an act of worship. You can still take part in Ramadan with dua, dhikr and listening to the Quran.