Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of developing diabetes
Breastfeeding would reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetesaftergestational diabetes. Often recommended because it has many benefits for the child, breastfeeding is also presentmany benefits for the mother and her future health.
This is demonstrated by an American study published in recent days in the scientific journal Annals of Internal Medicine(1)particularly with regard to type 2 diabetes.
The study
The researchers wanted to study the impact on the development of type 2 diabetes in women who had gestational diabetes and who subsequently breastfed their child or not. The study was conducted on 1000 young mothers from 2008 to 2011.
The results
Among the 1000 young mothers studied, nearly 12% had type 2 diabetes within 2 years of the birth of their child. Women who fed their babies powdered milk at 6 to 9 monthshad a double riskof developing diabetes, compared to those who fed their child exclusively at the breast.
Some recommendations but not an obligation
Dr. GUNDERSON Erika, lead author of the study, explains that the duration and amount of breastfeeding can offermany benefitsto women. Breastfeeding your child for several months would reduce the risk for these women of developing type 2 diabetes later. According to her, it would be important to promote breastfeeding, and to inform women about the link between diabetes and breastfeeding.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends exclusive breastfeeding throughout the first half of the newborn’s life. WHO also attributes many health benefits to infants when they are exclusively breastfed. “It promotes sensory and cognitive development and protects infants from infectious and chronic diseases.
Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality from common childhood illnesses, such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, andaccelerates recovery from illness. It contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, helps to space births, reduces the risk of ovarian or breast cancer, increases the resources of the family and the country. It is a safe and environmentally friendly way to feed the child. (2)
Remember that breastfeeding is not mandatory. It isa choice for every woman.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.