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Name
Mahmoud
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
IT
Question
My Daughter is 6 & half years old. Is is O.K If I let her fast from noon to Maghreb
Answer
Wasalaam,
I would suggest that you do have your child get used to fasting but I would first recommend an abbreviated fast, for first timers- for example for Suhoor- the early breakfast- have the child wake up with everyone and eat, making sure that she drinks at least 3-6 cups of water- she needs to be well hydrated. Then by 1 or 2 pm she may have a small snack- a few dates and a glass of water-it is very important for all children to stay well hydrated ! Then she may eat the full Iftar with her whole famiy when the time arrives.
Year after year insha'allah, you may lengthen her fasting time until eventually in several years before puberty she will have the capability to perform the full siyam, insha'allah
Name
D
-
Profession
Question
My 8 year old niece is excited about Ramadan and wants to fast, we don't want to deprive her of this feeling, what can we do?
Answer
Wasalaam,
I would suggest that she can have an abbreviated fast as follows: she may wake up with the whole family during Suhoor- early breakfast, so that she may enjoy the whole atomsphere, with the family- make sure she drinks 3-6 cups of water during this time, as it is very important for all children to remain well hydrated. I would also not encourage her to eat very salty, fatty, or spicy foods as these will increase the thirst.
At 1 or 2 pm she may have a litte snack of some dates and water- then she may have a full meal at the Iftar time with the whole family. If she finds this is too easy or too difficult you may adjust this a little to her own capability.
Insha'allah with every subsequent year you may extend the fast until she is ready to do the whole fast. You may also progressively delay the time of her midday snack during Ramadan.
Name
Duha
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I'm pregnant in my last month, is it possible that I fast? What about lactation, will I be able to fast during the 2 years I intend to breatfeed in?
Answer
wa ailakum assalaam,
It is my understanding that you have alicense not to fast right now if you believe it will adversely affect your health or the health of your baby, but you have to refer to Islamic scholars for a a clear fata.
Medically speaking you may fast, however, I must emphasize that if you do choose to fast you should drink at least 4-8 cups of water during the day and that you have a very good Suhoor.
During pregnancy and lactation you need to eat generous portions. Don't over-eat; have a well-balanced diet with many fruits and vegetables, stay well hydrated, and take your prenatal vitamins.
Name
Aziza
-
Profession
Question
Are there any key foods/nutrients that we should incorporate in the iftar/suhur that a fasting child would require?
Answer
A well-balanced diet would be difficult to replace- it should have all the vitamins and minerals a child needs. For example during Suhoor fava beans, eggs, whole wheat bread, green, leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, broccoli, etc, or just a wholesome salad, cheese, olives, milk .. these are all nutritious ways to start the fasting. In addition it is very important for all of us, especially children, to stay well-hydrated during the day. At Suhoor drink 3-6 glasses of cold water, no juices... Also stay away from fried, spicy, fatty foods that many of our people love. I would recommend a daily children's multi-vitamin at Suhoor or Iftar; this is only to complement a well-balanced diet.
Name
Rousha
-
Profession
Question
Assalamou Alaykom,
My son is 5 years old now. Can I let him fast for three or four hours everyday to get him used to fasting?
Answer
Maa shaa'Allah - that is a young age!
I would suggest at this young age to allow his to fast as you mentioned, not more than 3-4 hours in the day. At the end you may give him a small treat and let him know that he will be able to extend the duration of the fast the following year.
What I would suggest is the following: let him have an early breakfast or wake him up for suhoor if you think he is strong enough, then allow him to have a small lunch, then Iftar with the whole family. He needs to have a well-balanced diet, drink 3-6 cups of water at breakfast, and children's Multivitamin would be beneficial. With each subsequent year you may lengthen the duration of his fasting. You may also lengthen the duration as the month progresses next year.
Name
Faith
-
Profession
Question
My daughter is 3 years old, I suffer every day trying to feed her, she refuses to eat any kind of meat, she eats small amounts every meal, should I give her a medical appetizer?
Answer
Almost no child would actually starve himself/herself to death! This may actually be more a psychological affair than a biological one.
Studies have shown that if you had 2 groups of children: group 1 was given a type of food that their parents were always trying to encourage them to eat, while the 2nd group were left alone to choose as they want from the foods place in front of them, group 2 will be more likely to develop a more adaptable diet while group 1 developed an aversion to the very foods that they were encouraged to eat.
Don't associate any food with punishment or reward. Place the meal in front of her with the family. If she does not feel like eating on some days as much as others this is completely normal. One or two healthy snacks is permissible like fruits and vegetables. You may try to give her a multivitamin that would contain vitamin B12 which is found in meat. You may also try preparing the meat in different ways like sautee or broil.
Name
Abdallah
- Morocco
Profession
Question
My children love eating potato chips. They eat around one or two packs a day. Is this too much for them? Can it harm them?
Thanks.
Answer
I know it may be difficult to control children and their eating habits but from a young age you should get them to eating fresh fruits as snacks during the day. This would definitely be reinforced if you act as a role model for them.
The potato chips and candy companies' advertisements all over the world target children, unfortunately. These types of artificial foods only fill their bodies with empty calories and few nutrients. One small bag every other day should be more than enough.
Name
Anna
-
Profession
Question
I have 2 daughters who are fasting this year. I keep hearing that dehydration is so dangerous for little children and I'm worried about them. How can I protect them from that?
Answer
Depending on the age of your children and their ability to fast I would recommend that they follow the schedules refered to in previously answered questions.
You may encourage them with a reward system everyday as well.
Dehydration is a consideration if they are out in the sun for long periods of time, with high levels of physical activity and not enough fluid intake, so any sports and activities should be reserved in late afternoon close to Iftar time.
Name
-
- Turkey
Profession
Question
Thank you doctor for this interesting session.
I have two children. One is five years old and the other is three years old. Can you tell me what their diet should look like in terms of necessary amount of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins?
Answer
It is not necessary to measure exactly what your child intake should be in terms of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. What is more practical is for you to provide them each meal with a well-balanced diet including fruit, vegetables, rice, whole wheat bread, and a small portion of meat. I would encourage less of the fried, fatty foods and more of the broiled, boiled, sauteed, and baked foods. Also you should develop an awareness of adequate portion sizes for your children; if they can't finish their plate they should not be forced to finish it.
Try to keep them away from too much of the 3 "whites": sugar, salt, white flour products. Also encourage them to play sports at least 3-4 times a week when they become a little older, with less TV time.
Name
n ikkat
-
Profession
Question
My son suffres from mental health problems and is on anti pychotic medication- should he fast?
Answer
Mental health illness would qualify as a valid reason for a patient not to perform the fast. However, this issue should be discussed with his own physician.
I would need to review his whole history and physical exam to determine his capability to fast. If he is completely stable and taking 1 pill a day, and he is capable of perceiving and understanding everything as a normal adult, I would say this is permissible. However if he was just diagnosed with this disease and needs to have multiple medications to control his symptoms he definitely should not observe the fast, wa Allahu A'lim (and Allah knows best.)
Name
Ismail
- Tunisia
Profession
Question
Do you recommend giving children who are under 10 years old vitamin supplements since the food they eat is not always rich in vitamins?
Answer
If your children are eating a well-balanced diet with fruits and vegetables (salads), a carbodhydrate source such as rice, pasta, and a small portion of meat this should provide them with the adequate amount of nutrients, insha'allah. They may take a multi-vitamin that has all the essential vitamins and minerals.
As mentioned earlier, you should encourage them to eat fresh fruit as snacks during the day and discourage sugary, salty, low-nutrition foods like soda, candy, and chips.
Name
Duha
- Syria
Profession
Question
What is the suitable age for the children to begin practicing sports?
Answer
Children may participate in organized sports from as young as 5 or 6 years old. This is a very important aspect of their lives as it provides them with self-confidence, teaches them discipline, and allows them to expend their energy in a productive way insha'allah. Physical activity is encouraged by Islam as well.
Name
Rola
- Lebanon
Profession
Question
I heard that green tea has many benefits. Do you recommend it for little children?
Answer
Yes, it is true that Green tea has anti-oxidants (chemicals that have been shown, at least in the lab, to fight against cancer cells.) Nevertheless, I would not give more that 1/2 a cup per day to a toddler (2-4 years of age) because the regular kind has a lot of caffiene in it.
A well-balanced meal with fruits and vegetables is highly recommeded and also has many anti-cancer benefits.
Name
Egfoo Yong
- Hong Kong
Profession
Tugboat Skipper
Question
My neighbour has a small girl age approximately 7 or 8 years. She insists that she fast every other day instead of every day as is indicated by our Imam. I am concerned that she will end up in Hades with the infidels, blasphemers and unbelievers. Should I report her to the authorities?
Answer
I would have to say that your neighbor actually has the correct reasoning. Pre-pubertal children are excused from full fasting; we only encourage them to fast so they may develop endurance for Ramadan.
Name
Duha
-
Profession
Question
Do I have to keep on taking my prenatal suppliments after delivery if I'm breastfeeding?
Answer
I would recommend taking the prenatal supplements during breastfeeding- they are beneficial for you and the baby.
Name
Host
-
Profession
Answer
Thank you Dr. Ayman Mansour for taking the time to answer our readers' questions during this live session, and we appologize for any questions that we did not have time to answer.
