Type 2 Diabetes - Breastfeeding After Receiving a Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes

One of the reasons breastfeeding is recommended for every mother, is to help reduce some of the calories or weight gained during pregnancy. Researchers at Laval University in Quebec, Canada, are investigating whether breastfeeding can affect mothers who have been diagnosed with Gestational diabetes or pregnancy diabetes.

Their study, reported in the European Journal of Endocrinology in January 2013, included 144 women with Gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Women who breastfeed their babies have:

• low blood sugar levels,


• low blood insulin levels, and


• higher insulin sensitivity

from those who don't. Those who breastfeed for 10 months or more have better blood sugar control than those who breastfeed for less than 10 months.

From this information, it is concluded that long-term breastfeeding is associated with lower blood sugar levels and lower insulin resistance.

Other studies have linked breastfeeding to the risk of lowering obesity and type 2 diabetes in mothers, as well as the risk of reducing postpartum depression, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer in women.

Breast milk contains antibodies to help protect the baby from respiratory and digestive system infections, and contains the right kind of protein for babies. Children who have been breastfed have a lower incidence of asthma, and at least some studies show higher levels of school-aged children who breastfeed infants.

Breastfeeding is also a healthy way for mothers and babies to bond naturally. During emergencies, breastfeeding can save lives when cow's milk is unavailable, when water supply is contaminated, or when breast milk is the only way a mother can keep her baby warm.

Breastfeeding classes and lactation consultations available to teach about breastfeeding before, and after baby arrives. Mothers with instructions are more likely to succeed.

Doctors often prescribe prenatal vitamins for breastfeeding women, to ensure that infants and mothers do not suffer deficiencies. Eating dark green vegetables is another way to get the calcium needed to build baby bones. If enough calcium is taken through the diet, the mother does not need to take calcium from her bones to feed the baby.

Vitamin D helps our body absorb and use calcium, and the skin makes vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. Taking your baby on a stroller will help mom and baby make vitamin D.

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