Children born to mothers with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing childhood obesity – a risk which breastfeeding could help reduce, reports a new study published in the journal Diabetes Care.
Researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health found that infants born to diabetic mothers, who were breastfed for at least six months, showed no more risk of developing childhood obesity than their peers. The results were seen across all ethnicities but were not seen when the babies were breastfed for less than six months.
"Our data suggest that breastfeeding promotion may be an effective strategy for reducing the increased risk of childhood obesity in offspring of mothers with diabetes during pregnancy," said Dr. Dana Dabele, lead author of the study.
"Since childhood obesity and in utero exposure to maternal diabetes have both been associated with later development of type 2 diabetes, it follows that breastfeeding these children may also help reduce their future risk for developing type 2. However, further research would be needed to confirm that added protection."