Note: We use the term “breastfeeding” to encompass all forms of lactation, including direct breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and providing expressed human milk in a bottle.
Parents who have diabetes of any kind (type 1, type 2 or diabetes during pregnancy) are similar to other new parents in many ways. But according to a study here at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, they are less likely to breastfeed their newborn baby in the hospital and continue breastfeeding for at least two months. Researchers found that although women with diabetes shared some reasons for not providing human milk to their babies as other parents, women with diabetes reported factors that many new parents don’t have to worry about: diabetic illness and medications. Fortunately, these valid concerns are manageable and should not prevent parents from breastfeeding if they choose to do so
Can Parents With Diabetes Safely Breastfeed?
Yes! According to the American Diabetes Association, most diabetes medications are safe to use when providing human milk to your baby. You should always consult your doctor, but don’t let diabetes keep you from nursing your baby. Providing milk is also safe for parents who control their diabetes with diet instead of medication. Your body will make your milk just the way your baby needs, even if your blood sugar levels are not always perfect.
One possible complication for parents with diabetes who are providing milk is that lactation may affect your blood sugar levels. You may need to eat more snacks, drink extra water, adjust your medication, or perform additional blood glucose testing. Talk with your doctor or a dietitian about a good meal and medication plan for the months you intend to provide milk.
Should Parents with Diabetes Breastfeed?
Yes! Breastfeeding has been shown to have many benefits for both the baby and the parent. When considering how to feed your baby it is important to seek out accurate information from your doctor, pediatrician or a lactation specialist to determine what is best for you and your family.
Parents with diabetes of any kind — including pregnancy-related diabetes — can help themselves and their babies by breastfeeding. Newborns whose parents have type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing the condition themselves, but breastfeeding can actually protect babies, making it less likely for them to develop it. Studies also show that babies who are directly breastfed for six months or longer have a lower risk of obesity, asthma, high blood pressure, and infections than infants who are not breastfed.
Parents with diabetes have an increased risk of heart disease, but breastfeeding has been shown to decrease this risk. Breastfeeding has also been shown to improve bondingafter pregnancy. More importantly, you can reduce your own risk of developing type 2 diabetes and breast/ovarian cancers by providing human milk to your baby.
The takeaway message is this: Don’t let diabetes of any kind stop you from providing milk for your baby. If you want advice on managing your diabetes while providing milk, we can help.
Read our breastfeeding tips or contact our Clinical Nutrition and Lactation team for more information about breastfeeding. If you are a patient of one of our NCH Primary Care clinics, we have a certified lactation counselor in almost every clinic and are happy to meet with you during your child’s well check or in a separate visit. You can contact our CLC team at (614) 355-0720.
Sara Schroder, MD, is a staff physician in the Section of Primary Care Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She provides direct patient care at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Olentangy and Linden Primary Care Centers and covers at all of the other Primary Care Centers. Dr. Schroder’s clinical interests include preventive care, breastfeeding and teaching medial students and residents.
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