Breastfeeding tips for mothers with diabetes

Some pregnant women may develop high blood sugar levels during the latter part of the pregnancy even if they did not have the condition earlier. This is called gestational diabetes. It is very important to control the blood sugar levels in these patients, as those with gestational diabetes are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Many women with diabetes are very fearful and anxious whenever the topic of breastfeeding arises. They frequently ask us if they can breastfeed their babies or not. The answer is a definite yes. Breastfeeding is a simple, natural process that helps keep the baby healthy. So even if a mother has diabetes, she can and should breastfeed her baby exclusively for six months. Breastfeeding has many health benefits not only for the baby but also for the mother.

Women with diabetes should regularly monitor their blood sugar. (Source: Getty Images / Thinkstock)

What are the common benefits of breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is beneficial for both mother and baby and reduces the risk of certain health problems in women such as:

Obesity

Diabetes mellitus

Osteoporosis

Arthritis

Arterial pressure

Cancer breast, uterus and ovaries

Breastfeeding improves glucose metabolism in the mother and thus decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Initiation to breastfeeding creates a very strong bond between mother and baby. It is also found that mothers who breastfeed their babies tend to lose more weight than mothers who do not. Breastfeeding also burns extra calories and reduces the need for insulin delivery in women with diabetes.

Breastfed babies have certain advantages. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of many diseases in infants such as:

Obesity

Type 1 diabetes

Viral infections

Jaundice

It also tries to improve the baby’s immune system. During breastfeeding, there is skin-to-skin contact, which makes the baby comfortable and gives a sense of security and thus improves the bond.

Breastfeeding can seem very difficult mothers with diabetes and therefore proper counseling is needed to motivate the mother. Mothers with diabetes need to talk about this with their doctor and it is equally important to teach and guide them on the technique of breastfeeding and also to discuss the benefits associated with it. Once the mother learns the correct breastfeeding technique, she gains confidence and her anxiety, doubts and fears about breastfeeding decrease, which helps her to initiate and successfully breastfeed her baby.

Some of the common breastfeeding tips for mothers with diabetes are:

* The blood sugar level must be well controlled.

* Mothers should breastfeed their babies as soon as they can after giving birth.

* There must be good skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby

* Correct positioning of the baby is just as important during breastfeeding.

* Talk to your doctor if you have diabetes about your insulin dose, calorie intake, what to eat, and what to avoid.

* Appropriate dietary advice from a dietitian is also essential.

* Many women with diabetes may find that their blood sugar levels can drop an hour after breastfeeding, so it is necessary to eat something with a good balance of carbohydrates and protein.

* Also keep a healthy snack in your bag when you go out.

* Sometimes mothers can feel thirsty after breastfeeding and therefore need to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

* Sometimes you may need to have a snack before breastfeeding to avoid low blood sugar.

* Check your blood sugar before and after breastfeeding the baby.

* Try to sleep if possible whenever the baby sleeps as sleep deprivation can affect the health of the mother.

* Diabetic mothers should eat a healthy and nutritious diet to stay fit and healthy.

* Regularly see your baby with a pediatrician and monitor the baby’s blood sugar as advised so that everything is going well

In addition, mothers with diabetes are advised to feed their babies with both breasts to prevent inflammation of the breasts (mastitis). However, if you have a problem like a sore nipple or difficulty breastfeeding, you should visit your doctor and discuss the issues so they can guide, help, and encourage you to breastfeed.

Most importantly, the mother should be happy, stay relaxed, control her blood sugar, take good care of her baby, and enjoy breastfeeding.

(The author is consultant, diabetology, Guwahati.)