by Ms.Uma Sakthy,
Senior Executive Dietitian, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre

Breastfeeding has been shown to have a number of benefits for both the mother and child. In particular, it can help to regulate blood sugar levels in mothers who have diabetes. This is because the act of breastfeeding helps to lower insulin resistance. Firstly, breastfeeding is beneficial for short-term immunity in the baby as it protects against infectious diseases. In the last few years, studies have found that there is also a long-term protective effect of breastfeeding against obesity and type 2 diabetes in children. A longer duration of breastfeeding was shown to correlate with decreased incidence of type 2 diabetes in several studies worldwide. In fact, breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 50%! Additionally, breastfeeding can help to lower blood sugar levels in mothers who have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. More research needs to be done before it can be determined that breastfeeding provides protection against diabetes. If you are a mother with type 2 diabetes, we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits of breastfeeding for you and your child.

How does breastfeeding help mothers with diabetes?

Breastfeeding has been shown to offer both mothers many health benefits. During pregnancy, the mother’s metabolism changes significantly in order to offer a large number of nutrients to the unborn child. Afterbirth, breastfeeding helps reset these metabolic changes. Mothers who do not breastfeed have a higher risk of premenopausal obesity, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Breastfeeding can also help to reduce the risk of postpartum depression. More research needs to be done in order to better understand whether and how these outcomes are linked to a lack of breastfeeding. Benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby Breastfeeding has many benefits for the baby as well. Breast milk is easy for babies to digest and helps to regulate their blood sugar levels. In addition, breast milk contains antibodies that can help protect babies from developing diabetes later in life.  Not being breastfed is associated with an increased incidence of adverse health conditions including infectious disease, type 1 diabetes, leukemia and sudden infant death syndrome. Aside from the nutritional benefits, breast milk contains bioactive components that have important functions and multiple health benefits. Breastfeeding in the perinatal period has a profound effect on long-term health. The human milk oligosaccharides also have significant prebiotic effects, selectively serving as a source of energy and nutrients for desired bacteria (microbiome) to colonize the infant intestinal tract. The act of breastfeeding also helps to promote bonding between mother and child, which can be beneficial for both the mother and child’s mental health. How to breastfeed while managing diabetes Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby, but if you have diabetes, it can be a challenge to manage your blood sugar while breastfeeding. Here are some tips to help you successfully breastfeed while managing diabetes.

1. Check your blood sugar before and after breastfeeding so as to make sure that your levels are staying within a healthy range.
2. Have a snack or drink handy to help raise your sugar levels back up if they start to drop while you are breastfeeding.
3. Pump and store breast milk ahead of time. If you need to take insulin or take breaks during a feed, pumping ahead of time and storing breast milk can be helpful. That way, someone else can feed your baby while you manage your diabetes.
4. Talk to your doctor about adjusting your medications if you are having trouble managing your blood sugar while breastfeeding. They can help you find the right balance of medication and insulin that will work best for you and your baby.

Conclusion The benefits of breastfeeding for diabetes are many and varied. Not only does regular breastfeeding help to improve the quality of your milk, but it can also help to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, breastfeeding can help to promote bonding between mother and child and provides a host of other benefits for both mother and baby. If you are considering breastfeeding, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider to ensure that it is the right choice for you and your baby.