A landmark study has shown it’s safe for diabetic women to express breastmilk during late pregnancy, dispelling fears it can lead to early labour.
Nearly half of all babies born to a mother with diabetes will develop potentially dangerously low blood sugar levels, known as known as hypoglycaemia, soon after birth.
This can affect a baby’s brain development and lead to seizures and even brain damage.
The best way to stabilise blood sugar levels is feeding the baby breast milk, says Professor Della Forster from La Trobe University’s Judith Lumley Centre and the Director of Midwifer and Maternity Services Research at the Royal Women’s Hospital.
However for many women who experience diabetes during pregnancy their milk comes in late.
Despite widespread enthusiasm for antenatal expressing, previous studies had suggested the practice posed potential harm for the baby and mother.
But Professor Forster says they can now “confidently” say it is safe for low-risk diabetic pregnant women.
“Our research fills a significant global gap in knowledge and provides much-needed guidance to pregnant women around the world and those providing maternal care,” Prof Forster said.