Women aren't letting diabetes stop them the special experience of breastfeeding. Breast milk is the best food for your baby, and nursing is a chance for bonding with your little one. On top of that, breast-feeding also offers some extra benefits for women with diabetes.
Help For Mom And Baby
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services points out that breast-feeding:
- Lowers your child's risk of having diabetes later
- Keeps your blood glucose lower
- Controls your weight, since you'll burn more calories
To get off to a good start, talk with your diabetes care team about a breast-feeding plan before your baby is born.
Glucose May Vary More
There are a few things to watch for when you're breast-feeding, including:
- Your blood glucose may not be as easy to predict.
It's more likely to be too low than too high. To help you stay on track, your diabetes team may recommend that you test your glucose more often during this time.
- Your meal plan may need to be adjusted.
Not only will you need more calories, you should probably also have at least 50 more grams of carbohydrates per day. Ask your doctor or dietitian for your help with these changes.
- Eat a snack and drink plenty of clear fluids before or during nursing.
Have some kind of sugar and carbs, such as glucose tablets or fruit juice, handy while you're breast-feeding. This will keep you from having to stop nursing if you feel shaky, get a headache or have other signs of low blood sugar.
- Insulin Needs May Change
Breast-feeding can affect your diabetes in other ways, too. If you take insulin, for instance, you may not need as much as before. If you have type 2 diabetes and take medications, your doctor may suggest you switch to insulin. Some diabetes drugs are safe to take while nursing, but doctors aren't sure about others. Ask your doctor or local Good Neighbor Pharmacy to be sure.
Diabetes may also make you more likely to develop a fungal infection called thrush. Call your doctor if you have symptoms such as sore nipples that last more than a few days, itchy or cracked skin or shooting pains in your breast.
While breast-feeding is a natural process, some women encounter problems. For tips on how to handle common challenges, download Your Guide to Breastfeeding at http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide/ for useful illustrations and expert tips.
Source: Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection December 2012
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