I don’t recommend extreme fasting while nursing or pregant. If you find yourself in this incredible season of life during the fast, here are some great options for you with the approval of your physician:
- Daniel fast with whey protien and calcium and iron supplements.
- Fasting sweets and desserts.
- Fasting red meat.
- Fasting certain diversions (TV shows, video games, etc.)
The priority for pregnant or nursing women is the health and the development of the baby that God has entrusted you with, so make that your guide post and then go from there.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you so much for commenting on this. I have been pregnant or nursing during the last three fasts, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to participate.
Thanks for addressing this Pastor Kerri. I am nursing but considered the Daniel fast until I read that since my body would be purging toxins, they might end up in my breastmilk….not good. But I am doing some of what you have suggested above, including television. Eliminating television has given me so much time back into my day to study God’s word, prepare for my small group this semester, and read a pile of christian materials that had been pushed aside before. I am enjoying this fast so much! Thank you for all your insights…
Kerri, I have been doing the fast and drinking lots of fluids, eating fruits and vegetables.I am still taking my vitamins and supplements to support detox. Overall, I feel like I am doing very well with the fast. However, today I woke up with a fever, bladder infection and a cold. My doctor prescribed an antibiotic. Is it ok to takes medications to fight the infection? I have been praying about my health and asked God to remove the illness from my body. I really dont want to give up now when I was doing so well.
What about prolonged fasting? Fasting from a particular food like meat or sugars until receiving a break through. Not to try to manipulate God but just to do like what Moses did, an “I am not leaving here unless you go with me” sort of thing. Is there a reason to only fast for 3, 21, or 40 days or is a particial prolonged fast ok as well?
Tanya — Definitely check with your doctor on this one. I think you should take your medication to fight the infection and eat food with the medication if that is what the instructions say to do. However, I do think it is ok to continue fasting as you have been. That is what I’ve done in the past when I’ve gotten ill during a fast and I’ve been fine. Again, though, check with your doctor.
Anonymous — A prolonged fast is great. I won’t pretend to understand fully the reasons for choosing, under the covenant of grace, 3, 7, 21, or 40 days to fast. Any and all days are good numbers. I know that those numbers are certainly significant in Biblical numerology. The Bible also contains examples of people fasting for those numbers of days.
Pastor Kerri,
I have truly been blessed by the areas that you have addressed in your past view postings. It has helped clear up questions that I have had for a while. I have passed on several of your postings to others friends of mine who have enjoyed them as much as I. May God continue to bless you richly.
with blessings,
Minister Mamie
Thank you so much for this website. Like the others I long to fufill all of God’s will for me. And with nursing I don’t want to miss the breakthrough he desires for me. God reveals his wisdom to those who search for it…even if its on google
. Thank you,
Emily
Hello,
I was wondering, my child is not exclusively breastfeeding anymore, she is now 16 months and is eating solids more than breastmilk. So is it ok for me to go on a fast for 40 days? Will that affect her in any way through the change of constitution or I don’t know what could happen to my breastmilk? Thanks.
Hey Prisca! Honestly, the best thing to do in your case would be to talk to your doctor. Thanks for keeping up with Kerri’s blog and I hope all is well with you! God bless, Liz
Hi Liz, thanks, God bless you too ^^