Breastfeeding Practices among Postpartum Women with and without a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Study

Objective: To compare breastfeeding (BF) practices, particularly exclusive BF (EBF), among women with and without a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the first six postpartum months and assess the impact of EBF on offspring weight from birth to six months postpartum. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective study that included 244 women, with 123 with a history of GDM (GDM group) and 121 without a history of GDM (non-GDM group). All participants were first interviewed on the discharge date and then via telephone at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months postpartum. BF practices were classified as EBF, partial BF (PBF), or no BF. Data on infant weight at six months were evaluated. Results: Upon hospital discharge, women mostly practiced PBF with 53.6% PBF versus 30.1% EBF in the GDM group and 48.8% PBF versus 38.0% EBF in the non-GDM group. However, EBF was more commonly practiced than PBF, during the first six months postpartum. The 6-month EBF rates for the GDM and non-GDM groups were 28.4% and 17.4%, respectively (p=0.039). In a multivariate analysis, only the intended EBF period was a factor that significantly impacted 6-month EBF rates (adjusted odds ratio 3.49 and 95% confidence interval 1.48 to 8.22). EBF for six months resulted in reduced weight gain during the first six months of life among offspring of women in both groups. Conclusion: The GDM group practiced EBF for six months postpartum more frequently than the non-GDM group. However, a history of GDM was not an independent predictor of EBF success over six months. EBF demonstrated lower offspring weight gain from birth to six months postpartum for women with and without a history of GDM. These findings may be used to design targeted educational programs for informed postpartum BF practices. Keywords: Breastfeeding practices; Breastmilk; Exclusive breastfeeding; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Infant weight gain; Postpartum