How does gestational diabetes affect milk supply?

Understanding Gestational Diabetes and Its Impact on Milk Supply
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition that affects many pregnant women, characterized by elevated glucose levels that develop during pregnancy. While the immediate focus is often on managing blood sugar levels for the health of both mother and baby, the implications of GDM extend into the postpartum period, particularly concerning breastfeeding and milk supply.
Milk Supply Challenges
Research indicates that women with a history of diabetes during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, may face an increased risk of low milk supply. A study highlighted that mothers who experienced diabetes during pregnancy were more likely to report difficulties with milk production when seeking help at breastfeeding clinics. This suggests that the hormonal and metabolic changes associated with GDM could interfere with the normal lactation process.
Delayed Milk Production
For many mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the onset of milk production can be delayed compared to those without such a diagnosis. This delay can be attributed to the body’s altered hormonal responses due to the condition. Specifically, the metabolic hormones that play a crucial role in milk synthesis may be affected, leading to a slower increase in milk volume in the days following childbirth. This is particularly critical in the early days when colostrum, the nutrient-rich first milk, is vital for the newborn’s health.
Composition of Breast Milk
Interestingly, gestational diabetes not only impacts the quantity of milk produced but may also influence its composition. Studies have shown variations in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in mothers with GDM, which are essential for infant development and immune protection. The changes in milk composition could potentially affect the nutritional benefits that breastfeeding typically provides, although more research is needed to fully understand these implications.
Support and Management
For mothers with gestational diabetes, proactive management is essential. Engaging with healthcare providers to adjust dietary plans and insulin doses can help stabilize blood sugar levels, which in turn may support better lactation outcomes. Additionally, techniques such as antenatal expression of colostrum can be beneficial, allowing mothers to have some milk available immediately after birth, which can help bridge the gap if milk supply is initially low.
Conclusion
In summary, gestational diabetes can significantly affect a mother’s ability to produce milk, both in terms of quantity and quality. Understanding these challenges is crucial for healthcare providers and new mothers alike, as it allows for targeted interventions that can enhance breastfeeding success. By addressing the unique needs of mothers with GDM, we can help ensure that both mother and baby receive the best possible start in their breastfeeding journey.

Can pregnancy cause your milk supply to drop?

If you are breastfeeding when you become pregnant, your milk supply will drop. This is because hormones during pregnancy cause a decrease in milk production. Your milk supply will not dry up completely. But you may notice it drop more in the fourth and fifth month of pregnancy.

How to increase milk supply with diabetes?

Skin-to-Skin Contact
This alone can help increase your supply. This also allows the baby to nurse more often and more stimulation equals more milk. If necessary, have what is called a babymoon. You and your baby stay in bed for a couple of days and allow the baby to nurse as much as they would like.

Why lactation failure in GDM?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Obesity is a risk factor for delayed onset of lactation (18, 40), and because GDM is most common in obese women (41), it is possible that the diabetes or the obesity could alter the onset of lactogenesis II.

How to boost milk supply while pregnant?

Unfortunately, there is no way to increase milk supply while pregnant. Learning about breastfeeding and how the breasts produce milk will provide good background information for how to increase milk supply once you have your baby.

Can gestational diabetes cause low milk supply?

The results support the hypothesis that the same aspects of insulin dysregulation that contribute to gestational diabetes (i.e., waning pancreatic insulin secretion in the context of insulin resistance) may also contribute to sustained difficulties with suppressed production of breastmilk.

What causes a drastic drop in milk supply?

A decrease in milk supply can be caused by a variety of different factors. A very common (and solvable) problem is not pumping or feeding enough. Because milk production works on a supply and demand basis, not pumping on a frequent schedule will signal to your body that it does not need to produce milk.

How to tell if breast milk is drying up?

The following are signs your baby isn’t getting enough milk:

1. Poor weight gain. It’s normal for newborns to lose 5% to 7% of their birth weight in the first few days – some lose up to 10%.
2. Insufficient, wet or dirty nappies.
3. Dehydration.

Does gestational diabetes affect breastfeeding?

There is no reason why you can’t breastfeed your baby if you have gestational diabetes. It is safe and can help protect their future health. If you’ve had gestational diabetes, your baby may be at greater risk of obesity and diabetes in later life.

Do soft breasts mean low milk supply?

Your breasts feel softer
This happens as your milk supply adjusts to your baby’s needs. The initial breast fullness reduces in the first few weeks. At around 6 weeks, breast fullness is completely gone and your breasts may feel soft. This is completely normal and has no effect on your milk supply.

What happens to a baby if the mother has gestational diabetes?

If not treated, gestational diabetes can increase your risk for pregnancy complications and procedures, including: Macrosomia. This means your baby weighs more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams) at birth.