World Breastfeeding Week 2024: Closing the gap

This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week - 1-7 August - is "Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all."

Supported by WHO, UNICEF, and partners worldwide, the campaign spotlights the diverse journeys of breastfeeding mothers and showcases how families, communities, and healthcare workers can support them. These journeys include those of women with gestational diabetes (GDM) .

Every year, approximately one in six pregnancies — or 21 million women?— develop high blood glucose levels during pregnancy, which is known as GDM. Although present during pregnancy, the condition usually disappears after birth. However, women with a history of GDM are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes within five to ten years after delivery.

Breastfeeding after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes can lower the mother's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

While GDM can cast a shadow of concern over a woman's future health, the good news is that breastfeeding has emerged as a powerful ally. Research has shown that breastfeeding after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes can lower the mother's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Embracing the post-delivery benefits

The advantages of breastfeeding for the mother include increased insulin sensitivity and improved glucose metabolism. Additionally, the longer and more exclusively a woman breastfeeds, the greater the protective effect. For example, breastfeeding for over two months can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by almost half, and beyond five months, the risk is reduced by more than half. These findings highlight the measurable impact of breastfeeding on a mother's health, offering consolation and hope for those facing the challenges of gestational diabetes.

World Breastfeeding Week is a powerful reminder of the profound impact breastfeeding can have on both mother and child.

It is not only the mother who is at risk of developing diabetes.?Children born to a mother with gestational diabetes are twice as likely to develop type 1 diabetes before the age of 22. Regardless of whether the mother had GDM during pregnancy, breastfed babies may have a lower likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes and becoming overweight or obese later in life – a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

By understanding and embracing these post-delivery benefits, women can give their babies the best start in life while taking proactive steps to safeguard their well-being.

Long-term perspective and future research

While the current findings are promising, it is important to look ahead and consider the long-term impact of breastfeeding on diabetes prevention. Further research can unravel the underlying biological mechanisms and determine how long the benefits of breastfeeding might last. By supporting and participating in such studies, women provide greater insight into the profound and lasting effects of breastfeeding on their health, making them an integral part of the solution.

Women with diabetes before pregnancy

Living with diabetes before pregnancy should not stop women from breastfeeding. In fact, some mothers who breastfeed find that they may need less insulin. Nevertheless, there are a few points to consider for good blood glucose management, such as snacking before nursing and checking blood glucose levels before and after nursing.

Living with diabetes before pregnancy should not stop women from breastfeeding.

World Breastfeeding Week is a powerful reminder of the profound impact breastfeeding can have on both mother and child. These advantages underscore the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers, especially those with GDM. Even without diabetes, breastfeeding can be more challenging than expected, so it is crucial to find support from healthcare professionals, lactation consultants and peer groups. This support system ensures that mothers feel reassured and cared for while breastfeeding.?

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