Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, presents health risks for pregnant and nursing mothers and it can effect their babies. High blood glucose indicates metabolic syndrome, gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Health care providers recommend breastfeeding when possible for both babies and mothers, as it provides many health benefits for both, including helping to manage high blood glucose in mothers and helping to prevent the development of diabetes in children later in their lives. Type 1 diabetes also poses a risk of elevating the newborn's blood glucose level.
Hyperglycemia
Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and metabolic syndrome are all caused by insulin resistance. Generally, the body produces enough insulin but it is ineffective in controlling blood glucose levels. These types of blood glucose problems are managed by diet, lifestyle changes, oral medications and sometimes insulin. They are usually developed in adulthood, and can develop as a result of pregnancy but also from other factors and may just be exacerbated by pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children. Type 1 diabetes is a result of insulin not being produced requiring insulin injections.
Blood Glucose And Newborns
High blood glucose can trigger a higher insulin response in infants in utero which can cause a lower blood glucose level when the baby is born. Sometimes no treatment is need, as the baby adjusts; however, sometimes they do need to be given glucose through an IV. Mothers with existing type 1 diabetes or who develop gestational diabetes must be monitored during pregnancy, and the babies are monitored for a few weeks after delivery.
Benefits For The Baby
Breastfeeding for at least a week has been shown to provide at least some benefit to infant blood glucose levels although breastfeeding for longer is preferred, and it is suggested that at least nine months is ideal. Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes increase the chance that emergency deliveries may need to be performed, which may interfere with the successful establishment of breastfeeding. Both formula and cows milk have been shown to increase the chances that a child will develop type 2 diabetes when they grow up.
Benefits To The Mother
Breastfeeding is very helpful to new mothers as it helps lower their blood glucose. Breastfeeding requires a significant caloric outlay and may help a new mother lose weight. This can lessen the chances of developing metabolic syndrome which in turn lessens the chances of developing type 2 diabetes later on.
Other Factors
The benefits of breastfeeding may be countered by other health risks. Obesity, smoking and lack of exercise can all contribute to blood glucose control problems. Age is another indicator, as many mothers that develop gestational diabetes are older when they become pregnant.
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