I'm sorry I'm a bit behind on my Lactnet posts. With respect to the family history of diabetes being an issue, here is a good starting point:

http://www.diabetes.org/DiabetesSpectrum/97v10n4/pg282.htm

Many of the articles cited are contradictory with respect to breastfeeding being a positive, negative or neutral factor in developing Type 1 diabetes. Much of this has to do with sloppy definitions of breastfeeding.

With a father with Type 1 diabetes, he himself is high risk (approx. 1 in 40) for diabetes. If he is under the age of 45, he may wish to sign up for the Diabetes Prevention Trial - 1 (DPT-1) where he will receive autoantibody screening for free.
See: http://www.diabetes.org/main/professional/research/dpt-1.jsp Genetic screening is also possible.

There are several levels of autoantibody progression which take place before a diagnosis of "full fledged" diabetes. If he finds through screening that he has some autoantibody progression, this may bolster his argument for insurance coverage, as this will dramatically increase the baby's risk profile.

I, myself, still have not forgiven the doctor who gave my daughter formula against my wishes in the hospital when we were inanely separated after birth. As a sibling of a child with diabetes, her risk is somewhere between 1 in 12 and 1 in 35. I salute this father. He is choosing the road less traveled. I hope he is getting lots of support.

Hope this helps.
-Arlene


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