Breastfeeding
and Diabetes
Can women with diabetes
breastfeed?
Women with diabetes should aim to have
a normal experience of pregnancy and this includes breast feeding.
Breast milk is the best food for the child and gives protection against
infection.
Can women with diabetes breastfeed?
Yes,
the majority can with no problems. In some women with diabetes, breastfeeding
may be difficult to establish if early feeding is interrupted by hypoglycaemic
(low blood sugar) in the baby, or if there is separation from the baby
due to caesarean section or if the baby has been in the special care
baby unit (SCBU). If so, the mother is encouraged to express her milk
for use by the baby. Any difficulties with insulin and diabetes control
whilst breast feeding can usually be easily dealt with.
Is my breast milk the same as milk
from a woman who does not have diabetes?
Yes. Even if your diabetes
is poorly controlled, your milk will be quite normal.
Do I have to make special changes
to my diet or insulin dose?
You may have to increase the amount
of food you eat, particularly starchy (carbohydrate) foods, because
breast milk is high in a carbohydrate sugar called lactose as well
as containing proteins, fats and minerals. As you feed your baby, you
will lose that sugar and your blood glucose will drop, which may cause
a hypo. As well as adjusting diet, you may need less insulin when breast
feeding because baby is using some of your food energy through the
breast milk. Breastfeeding may lower your insulin dose by up to 25%.
Test before and after a few feeds so that you know how much to adjust
your insulin and food intake by.
Can I breastfeed if I am taking
diabetes tablets?
No, these drugs cross into the milk and can
affect the baby. You will almost certainly have switched to insulin
during pregnancy. If you want to breast feed, and we strongly encourage
you to do so, continue with insulin whilst you are breastfeeding. Your
doctor, health visitor or diabetes team will advice you about this.
Will I gain weight due to breastfeeding?
No.
Breastfeeding may help you lose weight, even though you are eating
more. You can focus on losing weight after you have stopped breastfeeding.
Seeking advice and what care to
expect
Your beast feeding plan should have been fully discussed
with you during the antenatal period. Get any extra advice as needed
from you GP, practice nurse, midwives, health visitors, diabetes team
and dietitians.
Your doctor, diabetes specialist nurse and dietician can also help you
balance your food and insulin levels at this time especially if you are
having any difficulty with hypos. |
