Production of breastmilk during fasting is a way to make it smooth

Running fast will not interfere with the smooth production of breast milk (ASI) in nursing mothers. That is why, actually there is no prohibition for breastfeeding mothers who are physically fit, to fast for a whole month. But no doubt. When fasting during this breastfeeding period, you certainly want to keep giving enough breast milk for your little one, right? Well, let's see how to keep breast milk production smooth even during fasting.

Tips for smoothing breast milk production during fasting

As long as you are healthy and able to fast during breastfeeding, it is actually okay. The reason is, the quality of breast milk will still be maintained because the body has its own way of adjusting even without eating and drinking for about 13 hours.

The intake of macro and micro nutrients that you eat at dawn and breaking the fast will be divided based on their needs. Some are used and stored as body energy, while the rest will be given to the baby through breast milk.

In order for breast milk production to remain optimal and smooth during fasting, here are some tips you can do:

1. Meet the needs of fluids at dawn and breaking the fast

Launching from the Australian Breastfeeding Association website, severe lack of fluids or dehydration can make breast milk supply decrease. As a result, conditions will certainly hinder the process of breastfeeding your little one.

It is possible, the amount of breast milk produced may be much less or not as much as usual. If you have this, of course the baby's milk intake will be less than optimal to meet their daily needs.

In addition, dehydration can mess up the normal levels of salt, sugar and various other important minerals. This condition will disrupt the functions of various organs of the body, and can even cause bad effects on the body.

Therefore, even though you are fasting, you should still drink lots of fluids at dawn and breaking the fast to meet your body's fluid needs. That way, milk production can be fulfilled properly during fasting.

2. Get enough rest

Not infrequently, some breastfeeding mothers experience sleep deprivation during fasting. This is because you have to wake up in the middle of the night when the baby is hungry and wants to suckle, then wake up again to eat Suhoor. Lack of sleep usually makes breastfeeding mothers sleep deprived and tired easily.

Therefore, as much as possible try to optimize your rest time every day. At least, by taking a little time to take a nap after breastfeeding your little one, so that milk production during fasting is maintained.

3. Increase the length of time and frequency of breastfeeding

While breastfeeding, the body naturally stimulates the nerves in the nipples to trigger a let down reflex. Let down reflex is a condition when the muscles in the breasts contract, so that the milk is ready to be released for the baby. Let down reflex will release two types of hormones, one of which is oxytocin. The hormone oxytocin is responsible for making the breasts contract, making it easier for breastmilk to be released.

In addition, it is necessary to increase the frequency of breastfeeding. You should breastfeed every 3 hours, if you are at work and it is not possible to directly feed your baby, try to find gaps in the time to pump the breast milk every 3 hours. This is because the production of breast milk in the body will follow the rules of "supply and demand", which means that the breasts will produce more milk when the baby is breastfeeding more frequently, or pumping according to schedule.

That is why the more often or longer you breastfeed your little one during fasting, the more milk production will be.

4. Consumption of foods that support breastfeeding

Several types of food are believed to help increase milk production. Vegetables are one of the most popular food sources for their benefits in breast milk production. Especially vegetables with green leaves, such as katuk, moringa, and spinach.

In addition, almonds, chickpeas, sesame seeds, oil or flaxseeds (flaxseed), and ginger are also considered good for helping breast milk production. You don't need to worry, because the natural taste of these food sources will not affect the taste of the milk your baby is drinking.

To make it easier, you can process these food sources into delicious dishes as a meal for sahur or iftar. However, keep in mind that the consumption of food to increase milk production while breastfeeding must also be accompanied by