Breastfeeding protects mothers from diabetes

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Much has been reported about the benefits of breastfeeding for the little ones. Now it is clear that the mothers also benefit. Especially those who develop what is known as gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

A blood sugar balance that is derailed during pregnancy usually normalizes after giving birth, but more than half of women develop type 2 diabetes years later. This risk can be reduced significantly - by breastfeeding. Of the mothers with gestational diabetes who breast-fed their child, only half as many became diabetic in a study compared to non-breastfeeding mothers. So every fourth instead of every second.

Minimized risk

The positive effect increased with the length of the breastfeeding period: women who fully breastfed their children for at least ten months were able to reduce their risk by as much as 63 percent.

The research carried out by Erica Gunderson from the US insurer Kaiser Permanente Northern California was based on data from the so-called SWIFT study. Of the 1,010 women with gestational diabetes whose blood sugar had stabilized after giving birth, 113 had developed type 2 diabetes within two years.

Gestational diabetes - common and dangerous

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. In Germany, 3.7 percent of all expectant mothers develop it. It is characteristic that diabetes first occurs during pregnancy. Usually it causes few symptoms. If the excessive sugar levels remain undetected and untreated, there is a risk of serious damage to mother and child.

In most cases, the sugar balance normalizes after birth. But there is still an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on. In addition to breastfeeding, a healthy diet, exercise, and weight also help prevent type 2 diabetes later on. (cf)

Source: Erica P. Gunderson et al .: Lactation and Progression to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Cohort Study, Ann Intern Med. 2015; 163: 889-898. doi: 10.7326 / M15-0807

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