Breastfeeding with Diabetes- All you Need to Know

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed and nurture the baby. It has amazing benefits for the little one and also for the mother. Many new moms are cynical about nursing their babies due to many reasons but trust me, this could be the best decision ever for both of you. Mothers who suffer from diabetes are especially doubtful about feeding their babies as so many false opinions and myths surround it. Whether the mother was diabetic during pregnancy or she has been dealing with it all her life, breastfeeding is still the best thing for both the mother and child.

Nowadays nursing a child is very convenient and easy with breastfeeding supplements and other lactation treats readily available in the market, so just need to make up your mind! Let’s dive deep and explore the various kinds of diabetes and see how these can affect the milk and what can diabetic mothers do to ensure they give the goodness of their milk to their new born child. Even though this journey might not be easy, the benefits that can be reaped by going the extra mile will be all worth it.

Types of Diabetes

There are mainly 3 types of diabetes- Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type1)- this kind of diabetes is most often diagnosed in ages between 25-30. In IDDM or Type 1 diabetes, there’s an absolute deficiency of insulin production in the body. The body hardly produces any insulin to control the blood sugar levels which can be highly dangerous and can result in organ failure. A woman with this type of diabetes needs to take insulin everyday and also keep a check on the levels of blood sugar at least 3-4 times a day.

Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type2)- this kind of diabetes is also seen in adults and it happens due to excessive amounts of sugar intake over a period of time. Type 2 diabetes isn’t that bad as the Type 1 as the body does make enough insulin to prevent ketoacidosis but not enough for the whole body to function properly and meet the needs of the entire body.

Gestational Diabetes- This type of diabetes happens as a result of metabolic stress of pregnancy that results in carbohydrate intolerance. This kind of diabetes mostly happens during pregnancy and goes away within 2-3 months after delivering the baby. But if you do develop gestational diabetes, chances are that you can have Type 2 diabetes in your later age.

Various Benefits of Breastfeeding to Diabetic Mothers  

As this is a well-established fact that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the new born baby, as per well-renowned health organizations like WHO. Even if the mother is diabetic, it's still safe, full of vital nutrients and the best food for the child. If the mother feels the need to take breastfeeding supplements to increase milk supply, she can always do that, there’s no alternative to breast milk. Breastfeeding has many benefits to the diabetic mother as well, she can lose weight more quickly and efficiently while nursing which would have been hard otherwise due to abnormal blood sugar levels. Breastfeeding the child exclusively also prevents obesity in both the mother and the child.

When the mother feeds her baby, it keeps the insulin levels in control and prevents them from fluctuating a lot. Breastfeeding reduces the need of insulin in Type 1 diabetes, in Type 2 diabetes it reduces the intensity of the diabetes and in gestational diabetes it reduces the risk of recurrence in later years. Nursing the baby also manages your periods and other monthly hormonal changes thus providing the mother a stable state of mind.

How to Manage Diabetes Before, During and After Pregnancy?

If you have Type1 or Type2 diabetes before getting pregnant then you must practice good diabetes management as it will help you a lot during pregnancy and you will be able to better manage any rapid change in insulin levels. You must talk to your doctor about getting pregnant so that a well-balanced diet, proper insulin dosages and other foods can be introduced to your diet. It’s also advisable to have a paediatrician even before the baby arrives so that the doctor knows your history well before time in case the baby has low blood sugar levels right after birth.

Sometimes the needs arrive to keep the baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for specialist care, make sure that the baby is fed the expressed colostrum, the first milk from mothers’ breast that is jam-packed with immunity boosters, high levels of protein and low levels of sugar. If the baby doesn’t need NICU then make sure you nurse the baby within the first hour of the delivery, the skin-to-skin contact will also help in maintaining the blood sugar levels of the baby, it also stimulates milk supply and saves the mother from breast engorgement.

Once you’re back at home with your precious little one the real grind starts. Now you’re on your own, dealing with your blood sugar levels as well as the baby. Don’t be surprised or feel disheartened if the steady flow of milk doesn’t kick in within the first week after delivery. Diabetes can delay the production of milk as it meddles with hormonal changes. It takes time to build up the supply, you can also have breastfeeding supplements to increase milk supply. But don’t be quick to judge your supply, check on the bowel moments of the baby and see the doctor to check if the weight gain is steady.

Tips for Diabetic Mothers

Diabetic mothers must nurse their babies as it’s a blessing for both of them. Try to have more and more skin contact to increase milk supply naturally and also in managing blood sugar levels. Always keep a healthy snack with you before nursing in case your blood sugar levels drop rapidly. Stay hydrated and monitor the insulin levels regularly. When you stay conscious, you can enjoy your motherhood with more freedom and relaxation.