Sonya writes:

<I have a question about uncontrolled diabetes and breastfeeding.

If a mother has uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes, will this affect the
composition of her breastmilk?>

This might best be answered by at least a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), and there may well be Lactnet folks with that credential.

That having been said, it's my impression that TRULY "uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes" will endanger the mother's life and pregnancy well before lactation becomes an issue. The first order of business is care and tight management under an endocrinologist and educational information from a CDE, in conjunction with her OB physician.

"As recently as 90 years ago before the clinical availability of insulin, the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes---which involves a severely diminished or absent ability to make insulin---was a death sentence. Most people died within a few months of diagnosis. . . . . . . Today Type 1 diabetes is still a very serious disease, and still eventually fatal if not properly treated with insulin . . . . .The causes of Type 1 diabetes have not yet been fully unraveled. . . . . . . .Whatever causes type 1 diabetes, its deleterious effects can absolutely be prevented. The earlier it's diagnosed and the earlier blood sugars are normalized, the better off you will be."

Bernstein RK "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution:The complete guide to achieving normal blood sugars" 4th edition, 2011, Little Brown & Co. pp. 38-39.


Though I do not have the newest edition, there is much more about lactation in women with Type 1 diabetes in:

Riordan J, "Breastfeeding and Human Lactation" 3rd edition, 2005, Jones & Bartlett.

"The woman with Type 1 diabetes not only can, but should be encouragedto breastfeed her infant . . . . . . . . Lactating women with Type 1 diabetes have lower milk prolactin concentrations than do women without diabetes, causing a delay of about one day in lactogenesis II or "coming in" of the milk for mothers". . . . . . pp. 460-461


K. Jean Cotterman RNC-E, IBCLC
WIC Volunteer LC Dayton OH

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