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. 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 ~ Does insulin pass through my breast milk? No, 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. It helps the mother lose weight. It helps the body utilize insulin more efficiently. It lowers the need for insulin. Oxytocin released whilst breastfeeding will help a mother feel better physically and emotionally. Stress can aggravate diabetes, so this is a big huge advantage. Other basic benefits of breastfeeding ~ Breastfeeding and diabetes ~ Solid foods should be introduced only after 6 months of life, especially if there is a risk for diabetes. 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 will need to increase their calories daily, diabetic mothers who breastfeed need to increase their calories by an extra 500 (spread out through 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 is coming 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 are waiting for your milk to " Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Breastfeeding
Tweet Breastfeeding is widely considered to be the best way of feeding your new born baby and this applies to mothers with diabetes as well. We’ve taken a look at some of the common questions that get asked about diabetes and breastfeeding, and provide the answers you need to know. Is it healthy for people with diabetes to breastfeed their baby? Breastfeeding is considered to offer the best nutrition for your baby and diabetes need not override this advice. Will diabetes affect the quality of my milk? Your own blood sugar levels can affect your milk but if your blood glucose is well controlled, this should not be a problem. Is it more difficult to produce milk with diabetes? Insulin plays a part in milk production and so diabetes can affect your ability to produce milk. You may find that diabetes causes your milk to be produced a little more slowly but again, well controlled diabetes should reduce this problem. Will breastfeeding affect my blood glucose levels? To produce the milk, your body will use glucose from your blood so whilst you are breastfeeding, your blood glucose levels may be affected. People taking insulin may find that their insulin requirements are reduced whilst they are producing milk. Mothers taking glucose lowering medication should be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia. Will the medication I take affect my baby? Whilst your sugar levels can influence the lactose in your milk, the diabetic medication you take such as insulin, metformin and sulphonylureas should not directly affect your baby. If you are taking other medication, check the patient information leaflet of the medication and ask your doctor if you are at all unsure. Tweet Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that results in hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) due to the Continue reading >>
7 Postpartum Stressors You Should Know About
Congratulations! You made it through a 9-month rollercoaster of blood sugar swings, weight changes, mood shifts and some bizarre food cravings. Your beautiful new baby is taking up most of your time and attention... but don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Managing your blood sugar is still important to the safety and development of your baby. In most cases, insulin levels return to near pre-pregnancy levels soon after delivery. Sure, there may be a day or two immediately after giving birth when insulin requirements are unusually low (due to the sudden elimination of placental hormones and your temporary ability to secrete some insulin). But all good things do come to an end. I always recommend that my clients keep a written record of their pre-conception insulin doses so that they can revert to them after delivery. So that’s it, right? Not quite. New times call for new challenges. Nursing Nuances Many moms choose to breastfeed their baby. And for good reasons. Breastfeeding provides more than just ideal nutrition for the baby. There is also evidence that it leads to better immune function and may offer long-term protection against type-1 diabetes. Moms who breastfeed tend to recover faster from the trauma of delivery. Resumption of menstrual cycles is delayed. The risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer later in life is reduced. And few moms will argue that breastfeeding may be the most intimate bonding time they ever get with their baby. What’s more, breastfeeding can promote weight loss -- something desired by many new moms. Breastfeeding women use approximately 200 calories daily from their fat stores to produce breast milk. Weight loss will almost always result in reduced insulin requirements. Basal/long-acting as well as bolus/mealtime doses will ne Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the normal and natural way to feed and nurture a baby. If you have diabetes you may be concerned about whether you can breastfeed. The answer is yes. All mothers experience metabolic and hormonal changes after giving birth. A mother with diabetes who breastfeeds has an advantage as breastfeeding reduces the impact of these changes. When you breastfeed, your body continues to support you and your baby, making your diabetes easier to manage in the days after birth. Later on, gradual weaning helps you to maintain control of your diabetes. Gestational diabetes Benefits of breastfeeding What about medications? Be prepared Blood glucose control Babies can have a hypo after birth Antenatal expression of colostrum Get breastfeeding off to a good start Looking after yourself Adjusting your diet Gestational diabetes It can be a shock if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. This is usually a temporary condition in which your body fails to produce enough insulin to meet your extra needs while you are pregnant. It is usually diagnosed from the fourth month of pregnancy. Just like mothers who are on long-term treatment for diabetes, good control of blood glucose levels will minimise any problems for you and your baby. You may not need any extra medical care during labour and delivery. Diabetes treatment is usually unnecessary once you have given birth. Benefits of breastfeeding For you as a mum with diabetes • It is easier to control your blood glucose levels as your body adjusts after the birth of your baby. • Depending on the type of diabetes you have, you may need less insulin or other medications. • Breastfeeding suppresses your periods and monthly hormonal changes. • Oxytocin and prolactin hormones are calming and help to re Continue reading >>
Use Of Hypoglycemic Drugs During Lactation
Use of hypoglycemic drugs during lactation Copyright the College of Family Physicians of Canada This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. QUESTION My patient was taking glipizide (an oral sulfonylurea) for type 2 diabetes. Now she is pregnant and taking insulin instead. She is very anxious to return to her previous treatment immediately after delivery because of the pain and hurdles associated with the administration of insulin. Can sulfonylureas cross into human milk and, if so, is it safe for her to breastfeed her infant? ANSWER The exposure of infants to second-generation sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide, glyburide) through breast milk is expected to be minimal, based on the limited data available. Women with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylureas should not be discouraged from breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding greatly outweigh the risks of these medications, if any. The baby should, however, be monitored for signs of hypoglycemia. QUESTION Ma patiente prenait du glipizide (sulfonylure par voie orale) pour un diabte de type 2. Elle est maintenant enceinte et prend plutt de linsuline. Elle a bien hte de revenir son ancien traitement et veut le faire immdiatement aprs laccouchement cause de la douleur et des embarras associs ladministration dinsuline. Est-ce que les sulfonylures peuvent passer dans le lait maternel et, dans laffirmative, est-il scuritaire pour elle dallaiter son nourrisson? RPONSE Selon les donnes limites notre disposition, on pourrait sattendre ce que lexposition du nourrisson aux sulfonylures de deuxime gnration (p. ex., glipizide, glyburide) par lintermdiaire du lait maternel soit minimale. Il ne faudrait pas dcourager les femmes ayant un diabte de type 2 et traites aux sulfonylures dallaiter leur enfant. Les avantages de lal Continue reading >>
Breastfeeding And Diabetes: What’s The Connection?
Did you know August is National Breastfeeding Month? Launched in 2011 by the United States Breastfeeding Committee through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this campaign aims to highlight research that demonstrates the benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers. In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, we’re offering new and soon-to-be mothers with diabetes some tips for breastfeeding and the advantages it may provide both you and your child. Benefits for Your Baby Breast milk is widely considered to be the most beneficial source of nutrition for infants. Studies have shown breastfeeding offers many advantages to newborns, including decreased risks of high respiratory infections, high blood pressure, asthma, atopy (a disorder marked by the tendency to develop allergic reactions) and diabetes. A mom who has gestational diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk that her child will become obese during childhood. However, one study found that breastfeeding a baby for at least six months neutralizes that risk. Breastfed children of mothers with diabetes were no more likely to be overweight at ages six to 13 than kids whose moms didn’t have diabetes. Breastfeeding for less than six months, though, showed no benefit in reducing obesity. Some people believe baby formula can lead to infant weight gain, but the bottle itself may be part of the problem. Another study found that babies who get breast milk only from bottles gain weight more rapidly than those who get it exclusively from mothers’ breasts—three ounces more per month during their first year. This could be because babies can control how much milk they swallow during breastfeeding, while parents often take the lead with bottles. Looking to babies for hunger cues may help parents Continue reading >>
Does Insulin Explain The Relation Between Maternal Obesity And Poor Lactation Outcomes? An Overview Of The Literature1,2,3,4
Prevalence of delayed lactogenesis (defined as lack of copious milk production symptoms by 72 h postpartum). Sources: rural Ghana ( 24 ); rural Guatemala ( 32 ); peri-urban Lima, Peru ( 33 ); Davis, California ( 23 ); Hartford, Connecticut ( 31 ); Sacramento, California ( 9 ); and Cincinnati, Ohio ( 17 ). Several risk factors are associated with delayed lactogenesis, with the strongest factor being primiparity ( 23 , 27 , 31 , 35 37 ). Other noted risks include cesarean delivery ( 23 , 28 , 35 38 ), ineffective or infrequent breast emptying ( 9 , 27 ), and elevated cortisol concentrations in both the mother ( 27 , 35 ) and umbilical cord serum ( 27 ). However, even after adjusting for confounding variables, there is a consistent association between maternal obesity and delayed lactogenesis ( 9 , 23 , 29 , 31 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 ), although the association did not reach significance in Scott et al. ( 37 ). Given the high prevalence of obesity in the United States (35% in 2014) ( 41 ), it may be contributing to our higher prevalence of delayed lactogenesis in comparison to less industrialized settings ( 24 , 32 , 33 ). Why obese women have a greater risk of delayed lactogenesis is poorly understood. To date, only a few small clinical studies have examined potential mechanisms in humans. In a study by Rasmussen and Kjolhede ( 16 ), serum concentrations of progesterone, basal prolactin, estradiol, and insulin at 48 h and 7 d postpartum were not significantly different in lactating obese (n = 17) compared with normal-weight (n = 23) women. The authors did find a significant difference in prolactin in response to a suckling episode at 48 h (P < 0.05) but not at 7 d postpartum. Timing of onset of lactogenesis or other breastfeeding outcomes were not reported. Repetition of th Continue reading >>
Insulin Use While Breastfeeding
Insulin Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding Summary of Use during Lactation Mothers with diabetes using insulin may nurse their infants.[1] Exogenous insulin is excreted into breastmilk, including newer biosynthetic insulins (i.e., aspart, detemir, glargine glulisine, lispro). Insulin is a normal component of breastmilk and may decrease the risk of type 1 diabetes in breastfed infants.[2][3][4] Pasteurization of milk by the Holder method reduces the concentration of insulin in milk by about half.[5] Insulin requirements are reduced postpartum in women with type 1 diabetes.[1][6] In one study, insulin requirements were lower than prepregnancy dosage only during the first week postpartum: 54% of prepregnancy dosage on day 2 and 73% on day 3 postpartum. On day 7 postpartum, insulin dosage returned to prepregnancy requirements.[7] Another study found that dosage requirements did not return to normal for up to 6 weeks in some mothers.[8] A third study found that at 4 months postpartum, patients with type 1 diabetes who exclusively breastfed had an average of 13% lower (range -52% to +40%) insulin requirement than their prepregnancy requirement.[9] A retrospective case-control study found a 34% decrease in postpartum insulin requirement compare to preconception values. There was a nonsignificant trend towards lower requirements in exclusively breastfeeding mothers compared to partial or full formula feeding.[6] Breastfeeding appears to improve glucose postpartum glucose tolerance in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus[10][11] and in normal women.[12] A small, well-controlled study of women with type 1 diabetes mellitus using continuous subcutaneous insulin found that the average basal insulin requirement in women with type 1 diabetes who breastfed was 0.21 units/kg Continue reading >>
Thursday's Tip: Breastfeeding If You Are Diabetic Or Insulin Resistant
Women who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes or who are considered insulin resistant or “pre-diabetic” can breastfeed and doing so is good for mother and baby. For more about the role of breastfeeding in diabetes prevention for babies and insulin resistant women check out our Thursday’s Tip from last week Breastfeeding has a positive effect on a mother’s insulin response. For Type 1 diabetic mothers this can decrease their need for insulin during the breastfeeding period. Mothers who have Type 2 diabetes may find they require less hypoglycemic medication while breastfeeding. Good control of your insulin levels is important while breastfeeding. You may need to do some additional monitoring and be in close contact with your health practitioner during the early weeks until your hormones and your milk productions stabilize. Mothers who are diabetic are at an increased risk of pre-term birth and their babies may develop prolonged low blood sugar levels shortly after birth. (a dip in blood sugar levels one to two hours after birth is normal with blood sugar levels starting to rise again within 2 to 4 hours) Planning ahead with your birth team to manage these potential events can be helpful so everyone is prepared and not making decisions in a stressful situation. If at all possible plan to breastfeed within the first hour after birth and at least once an hour until the baby’s blood sugar levels stabilize. Skin-to-skin contact has been found to decrease the risk of hypoglycemia in newborns and it helps trigger the hormones that drive breastfeeding. A mother who is diabetic or insulin resistant may find that it takes a bit longer for her milk volume to increase after giving birth. Colostrum is providing all the nutrients, (vitamins, minerals and fats) that baby needs thro Continue reading >>
Insulin's Role In Making Breast Milk
The reason so many women have trouble making enough breast milk to feed their newborn is partly because a large proportion of them are prediabetic - insulin dysregulation undermines their milk supply, researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of California Davis suggested in PLoS ONE. In a new study, which adds to their previous one, the scientists explain that insulin plays a major role in lactation success. Lactation is the secretion of milk by the mammary glands. During lactation the human mammary gland (woman's breast) becomes extremely sensitive to insulin. This is the first study to describe how this occurs, the authors wrote. They added that theirs is also the first study to show specifically which genes are switched on in a woman's breast during breastfeeding. Study leader, Laurie Nommsen-Rivers, Ph.D., explained that RNA sequencing revealed "in exquisite detail" the blueprint for making milk in the human mammary gland. Dr. Nommsen-Rivers had demonstrated in a previous study that mothers with markers of sub-optimal glucose metabolism took longer for their milk to come down, suggesting that insulin plays a major role in lactation. Examples of sub-optimal glucose metabolism include being obese, having a very heavy newborn, and being at an advanced maternal age. This latest study shows how a woman's breasts become sensitive to insulin during lactation. The milk-making cells in the human breast do not need insulin to take in glucose, which led most experts to believe that insulin played no direct role in lactation. It is now evident that insulin does a great deal more than simply facilitate the uptake of sugars. Dr. Nommsen-Rivers said: This new study shows a dramatic switching on of the insulin receptor and its downstream sig Continue reading >>
The Diabetic Breastfeeding Mother
2019 About, Inc. (Dotdash) All rights reserved Whether you have just recently learned that you have diabetes, or you've had it for quite some time now, do not believe the myths that claim that you can't breastfeed your baby. It is still good for both of you. Here are the solid facts about diabetes and breastfeeding. Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM, Type I, or Juvenile Onset Diabetes): IDDM is usually seen in people under the age of 25 and results in absolute insulin deficiency. Type 1 diabetics have to take insulin every day. Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM, or Type II): Type 2 diabetes is mostly seen in adults. Type 2 diabetics can make enough insulin to prevent ketoacidosis but not enough to meet the total body needs. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM/GCI or metabolic stress of pregnancy resulting in reversible carbohydrate intolerance): Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and goes away during the postpartum period. Most of what is discussed in this section pertains to women with pre-existing, not gestational diabetes. Once someone with gestational diabetes delivers their baby, they get routine postpartum care and are treated as if they are "cured" unless their 6- to 8-week postpartum glucose tolerance test proves otherwise. Contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding is compatible with all of them. Breastfeeding: May lower your baby's risk of getting diabetes Helps your body use insulin in a positive way It goes without saying that proper prenatal care is essential to ensure that your baby is healthy. Talk to your doctor, especially if you have Type 1 diabetes, about insulin dosages, caloric intake, and particular foods to eat. Many women find they have low blood sugar within an hour after breastfeeding, so eating something with a Continue reading >>
Insulin During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
Generic Name: Insulin Indications: Treatment of diabetes FDA Drug Category: B Summary Recommendations: Insulin is commonly given to patients to treat diabetes in order to lower blood sugar glucose. Controlling diabetes during pregnancy and lowering blood glucose sugar can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and increased fetal weight. Your insulin dose may change during pregnancy. You should always keep prenatal appointments and track blood glucose levels daily. General Precautions: Diabetes can be a dangerous health condition during pregnancy. You should always maintain diabetes care and good blood sugar control during pregnancy and after birth. Diabetes care can be extremely specialized so your obstetrician will likely leave care to your primary care physician for medication and alternative treatment options. Various types of insulin exist, including short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting and fast-acting. Effect While Trying to Conceive: While insulin is not directly associated with infertility, diabetes, especially when it is uncontrolled can affect fertility in both men and women.Treating diabetes and lowering blood sugar glucose may improve fertility. If diabetes is found during medical testing, insulin treatment may help resolve the hormone imbalance, leading to more balanced fertility hormones and improved fertility. Effects on Pregnancy: Insulin is the drug of choice for treatment of diabetes during pregnancy. Insulin does not cross the placenta, and it does not go to the fetus. However, sugar glucose in the mother does cross the placenta and go to the fetus and can adversely affect the fetus. That is why taking insulin is important so the elevated sugar in the mother's blood does not adversely affect the feus. Doctors also use the drug to treat g Continue reading >>
Breastfeeding And Gestational Diabetes
I have gestational diabetes. Can I still breastfeed? Yes, and it benefits both you and your baby if you do. Breastfeeding can sometimes be a little harder for women who have had gestational diabetes because it can take longer for milk to come in. (Normally this happens after three or four days.) Having a high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), needing insulin treatment for gestational diabetes, or having a cesarean birth also increase the chances of your milk coming in later than usual. Persistence is key: The more often you feed your baby, the more efficiently your body produces milk. Getting good support and advice in the first few days after delivery increases your chance of success, so talk to your healthcare provider about what help is available to you if you experience any problems. What are the benefits of breastfeeding after gestational diabetes? Breast milk is the ideal food for an infant because it's packed with the nutrients and antibodies your growing baby needs. And when you have gestational diabetes, there are additional benefits associated with breastfeeding. For example, sometimes gestational diabetes causes a baby to have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) after birth. If a baby has low blood sugar, breastfeeding helps raise her blood sugar levels by providing a dose of glucose that's easily absorbed. Colostrum, the yellowish milk you produce in small amounts in the first few days after giving birth, helps your baby's digestive system to grow and mature, and is easy for your baby to digest. Breastfeeding can help with jaundice because it helps your baby's body clear the excess bilirubin more quickly. (Bilirubin is the pigment in your baby's blood that can cause her skin to look yellow.) Jaundice is more common in babies born to women who had gestational d Continue reading >>
- The effect of high-intensity breastfeeding on postpartum glucose tolerance in women with recent gestational diabetes
- Diabetes medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
Insulin And Breastfeeding
Tweet Save Before taking insulin, women who are breastfeeding should talk to their healthcare providers about the benefits and potential risks. Although it is not known if insulin passes through breast milk, it is likely that the medication would be destroyed in the digestive tract of the infant even if it does pass through the milk. In general, most healthcare providers consider breastfeeding and insulin to be compatible. Insulin and Breastfeeding: An Overview It is not clear if insulin passes through breast milk. However, insulin is not expected to cause problems when used during breastfeeding. Most healthcare providers consider insulin safe for women who are breastfeeding and their infants. You should talk with your healthcare provider before taking insulin if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, as it may affect your insulin requirements. You need to have a clear plan in place for how to deal with the challenges of safely controlling your blood sugar levels while breastfeeding. Can I Take Insulin While Breastfeeding? There is conflicting information available about whether insulin passes through breast milk. However, even if it does pass through breast milk, it would be destroyed in the digestive tract of the infant. Insulin is a protein that is digested and inactivated when taken by mouth. This is why insulin must be taken by injection. It is not expected that taking insulin while breastfeeding would having any negative effects on the breastfed infant. When using insulin, the most significant risk to a woman who is breastfeeding (or to anyone, for that matter) is the risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels. Make sure to check your blood sugar levels often, and be sure you know exactly what to do if you experience low blood sugar levels. It is im Continue reading >>
Can You Breastfeed If You Have Diabetes?
Approximately 81.1% of mothers breastfeed their babies when they are born. About half of those are still breastfeeding 6 months later. There are many benefits for breastfeeding moms and babies if they are able to stick with it for at least 6 months. For moms with diabetes, there are even more benefits. However along with the benefits, there may also be some challenges as well. The following article provides information about the advantages of breastfeeding for all moms and babies as well as the things to look out for which are unique for nursing mothers with diabetes. The perks of breastfeeding Breastfeeding is very beneficial for the nursing mother as well as the baby. It provides lifelong benefits and can decrease the risk of developing diseases and problems later in life for both of them. For mothers who have diabetes, it can also help them manage their disease and prevent further complications. Benefits for all breastfeeding moms Breastfeeding reduces the risk of several diseases for mothers that nurse for 6 months or longer. These include: Heart disease Diabetes Mellitus Obesity Osteoporosis Rheumatoid Arthritis Ovarian Cancer Breast Cancer Uterine Cancer The risk of developing these diseases can be reduced up to 86%! Breastfeeding also releases a hormone that is called Oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for decreasing stress and increasing mood, which can be very helpful to new mothers that need more rest and a boost of confidence. One study found that for every 6 months that a mother breastfeeds, her BMI (body mass index) is decreased by 1% after she hits menopause. This is wonderful because an increased BMI can lead to many problems including heart disease and diabetes. Breastfeeding also burns calories, and it can help the new mother lose the extra weight th Continue reading >>
