f you’re expecting a baby and have diabetes—whether Type 1, Type 2, or Gestational Diabetes (GDM)—you may have specific questions about how breastfeeding can benefit you and your baby, and how to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Preparing yourself ahead of your birth with information about breastfeeding can help you can make informed choices and empower you to progress optimally with breastfeeding once your baby arrives.
Why Breastfeeding is So Important
For Your Baby:
Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful ways to protect your baby’s health, it can help reduces the risk of serious health issues, including:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Leukaemia, eczema, and ear infections
Obesity and respiratory conditions like asthma
For babies born to mothers with diabetes, breastfeeding can offer additional benefits:
Helps manage blood glucose levels, reducing the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) in the first hours after birth.
Babies born to mothers with diabetes are at higher risk of metabolic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, later in life. Breastfeeding helps reduce these risks.
Breastfeeding is not just great for your baby—it’s beneficial for your health too. It can lower your risk of:
Type 2 diabetes, if you have had gestational diabetes
Obesity, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis
Breast and ovarian cancer
Additionally, for women with Type 1 diabetes, breastfeeding may actually help reduce your insulin requirements.
How Long Should You Breastfeed?
Experts and the World Health Organisation recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of life and then, continue breastfeeding while introducing solid foods until at least 2 years. Any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial, but longer durations provide the greatest health benefits for both you and your baby.
The Power of Colostrum: Your Baby’s First Milk
Colostrum, the first milk you produce after birth, is incredibly important for your baby. Here’s why:
Stabilises your baby’s blood glucose levels: It’s the perfect food to regulate their blood glucose after birth.
Protects against infections and allergies: Colostrum helps boost your baby’s immune system.
Prevents conditions like jaundice and helps reduce the risk of your baby developing diabetes.
One way to help your baby have access to colostrum right after birth is by hand expressing it during your pregnancy. This is safe from 36 weeks gestation. Here are a few reasons why this can be helpful:
Colostrum storage: If your baby can’t breastfeed right away or has low blood glucose, you can feed them the colostrum you hand expressed before birth. This can avoid the need for formula milk.
A smooth start to breastfeeding: Expressing ahead of time helps you get familiar with the process, making breastfeeding easier once your baby is born.
Establishing milk supply: Hand expressing can help kickstart your milk production. some parents with diabetes in pregnancy find their milk takes a little longer to transition from colostrum to their later milk however hadn expressing in pregnancy can reduce the chance of this delay.
If you're unable to express colostrum before birth, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean you’ll have trouble producing milk once your baby is born. Some women take a little longer to get the hang of expressing, and that’s perfectly normal.
Tips for a Successful Start to Breastfeeding:
Start hand expressing from 36 weeks: This helps you get familiar with the technique and reduces the likelihood of needing formula if you plan to breastfeed.
Seek early support: Maternity staff are trained to assist with breastfeeding, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. Also find out where your local free breastfeeding support groups run. These can be a fantastic way to get specialist support and meet other breastfeeding parents.
Feed frequently: Look for hunger cues like sucking on their hands or turning their head toward your breast. Frequent feeding in the early hours helps prevent low blood glucose.
Skin-to-skin contact: As soon as your baby is born, hold them in skin to skin contact with you. This helps regulate their blood glucose and improves breastfeeding outcomes.
Keep your baby close: Having your baby nearby encourages more frequent feeding and fosters bonding.
Monitor nappy output: Check that your baby is producing the expected amount of wet and dirty nappies, which indicates they're getting enough milk.
Hand express if necessary: If breastfeeding is delayed or if your baby has difficulty latching, start expressing colostrum immediately.
Special Considerations for birthing parents with Type 1 Diabetes
If you have Type 1 diabetes, make sure to have snacks available during feeds and expressing sessions. Monitor your blood glucose levels closely and adjust your insulin as needed. Blood glucose management helps avoid complications such as mastitis - this is a breast inflammation condition that some women with diabetes may be more susceptible to, especially if blood glucose levels are frequently out of range.
Additional Support and Resources
If your baby needs extra care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), ask your maternity staff for a double electric pump to start expressing milk as soon as possible.
Can You Breastfeed While on Insulin?
Yes, breastfeeding is safe while taking insulin. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/insulin/rapid-acting-insulin/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility-while-taking-rapid-acting-insulin/
Healthy Nutrition for Breastfeeding Parents
Maintaining a balanced diet is helpful in supporting your body during breastfeeding. Make sure to eat nutrient-rich foods that help keep you feeling well.
Summary
Breastfeeding provides incredible benefits for both you and your baby, especially when you’ve had diabetes during pregnancy. Whether you're planning to breastfeed or need to express milk, taking steps to prepare ahead of time will help you feel confident and ready to breastfeed. With the right support and a little preparation, you can successfully navigate breastfeeding and enjoy the health benefits it offers for both you and your baby.
Lucy Lowe IBCLC
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