Breastfeeding and Diabetes – Can You Still Breastfeed?

Yes, a diabetic mother can continue to breastfeed her baby. Whether you have type 1, 2 or gestational diabetes, you can and should continue to breastfeed. Diabetic mothers are advised to breastfeed their babies exclusively for 6 months or longer

Breastfeeding and Diabetes

The Advantages of Continued Nursing

Should you be breastfeeding while diabetic? What about breastfeeding and type 2 diabetes?

Yes, a diabetic mother can continue to breastfeed her baby. You can and should continue breastfeeding if you have type 1, 2, or gestational diabetes. Diabetic mothers are advised to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months or longer.

Does insulin pass through my breast milk?
The insulin molecule is too large to pass through into your breast milk.

Why Is It Important to Breastfeed if You Have Diabetes?

• It lowers your baby’s risk of developing diabetes.
• Colostrum helps to stabilize a baby’s blood sugar levels after birth.
• It allows the mother to lose weight.
• It helps the body utilize insulin more efficiently.
• It lowers the need for insulin.
• Oxytocin released while breastfeeding will help a mother feel better physically and emotionally. Stress can aggravate diabetes, so this is a significant advantage.

Tips for Breastfeeding with Diabetes

• Diabetic mothers should always eat something that contains a combination of protein and carbs before a breastfeeding session.
• Mothers who breastfeed need to increase their calories daily, and diabetic mothers who breastfeed need to increase their calories by an extra 500 (spread out throughout the day).
• A diabetic mother’s milk might take longer to come in after her baby’s birth. If her baby needs to be supplemented within those first few days while her milk comes in, she should try to get donor breast milk if possible. A Hypoallergenic formula can be given if no donor breast milk is available.
• During those first few days, while you wait for your milk to come in, you must continue breastfeeding at least ten times per day. The more your breasts are stimulated, the more milk you will produce. Do not replace breastfeeding with pumping sessions; instead, pump in between breastfeeding sessions, or use a lact-aid to supplement the baby.
• Maintain lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby; this will trigger the hormones that produce milk.
• Breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after delivery.
• Always keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels.
• Make sure that your baby is latched on properly. Mothers with diabetes have an increased risk of thrush and mastitis, so they must look after their nipples and drain their breasts regularly.
• Stay relaxed while breastfeeding.

Women with gestational diabetes who breastfed for six to 12 months had a 9% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not breastfeed. The risk was further reduced by 15% for those who breastfed for one to two years, and by 27% for those who breastfed for over two years.

Diabetes Breastfeeding Warnings

• Newborn baby jaundice is also more common in babies whose mothers have diabetes.
• When weaning, a diabetic mother should do so very gradually, and if she doesn’t, she has a risk of it affecting her insulin levels.
• Avoid herbs like fenugreek, which affects blood sugar levels.
• If you have type 2 diabetes and are on oral medication, you should discuss with your doctor the healthiest medication that can be taken for you and your baby.
• Do not drink alcohol, as it can decrease milk letdown and increase your risk of hypoglycemia if you take insulin.

The Research on Breastfeeding and Diabetes Risk

Q&A

Does Breastfeeding Raise or Lower Blood Sugar?

Breastfeeding has been linked to lower fasting glucose levels after childbirth, although it doesn’t seem to affect the mother’s lipid profile. It could also help mitigate glucose intolerance in women who have experienced gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Does Breast Milk Help With Diabetes?

Breastfeeding can enhance your body’s sensitivity to insulin and positively affect your glucose metabolism in the long run. If you have Type-1 diabetes, breastfeeding can decrease your insulin requirements. For those with Type-2 diabetes, breastfeeding can help lessen the severity of the condition.

What Should Diabetics Eat While Breastfeeding?

To avoid hypoglycemia, consider having a snack before nursing or napping. Healthy snack options could be a bagel topped with cream cheese, a sandwich with meat, crackers with cheese or cottage cheese, a hard-boiled egg with toast, a fruit salad, or a mix of dried fruits and nuts. Also, make sure to stay hydrated.

How can I balance my blood sugar while breastfeeding?

To keep your blood sugar levels in check while nursing, focus on both your dietary choices and the timing of your meals. Try to have a snack before or after breastfeeding.