Breastfeeding and diabetes

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes or you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you may be worried about whether you will be able to breastfeed.

Mums with diabetes may have extra health concerns and closer monitoring during pregnancy and birth. This can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, research can reassure you that you can successfully breastfeed and that common concerns that mums have usually relate to breastfeeding rather than diabetes.¹   

It can help to talk about breastfeeding before your baby arrives.

• Speak with a health professional about your breastfeeding goals and what support is available. Some mums find it helpful to make a breastfeeding plan.
• Learn more by attending an in-person Breastfeeding Education Class or our online Breastfeeding Preparation Session.
• View the eModule Breastfeeding and Diabetes for answers to more specific questions and hear the experiences of other mums with diabetes.

Learning about breastfeeding before your baby arrives can make things feel more manageable once they’re here.

Many mums with diabetes choose to express colostrum in the last weeks of pregnancy. Research shows it’s safe for women with diabetes to express colostrum from around 36 weeks.² You can ask your midwife or doctor to show you how to do this and how to store your colostrum safely.

Having some colostrum ready can be helpful if your baby needs extra feeds after birth.

Babies of mums with diabetes have a higher chance of low blood sugar after birth. Because of this, your baby’s blood sugar levels will be checked in the first few hours and days.

There are simple ways you can help support your baby:

• Hold your baby skin-to-skin as soon as possible.
• Offer the breast early, ideally within the first hour.
• Feed your baby often in the early days.

These early feeds, along with any colostrum you’ve expressed, help keep your baby’s blood sugar levels stable. 
Your baby may continue to have their levels checked for a few days. 

During pregnancy, your baby may have been exposed to higher blood sugar levels. After birth, their body adjusts to this change. Feeding early and often helps your baby adjust and keep their energy levels steady. 

Skin-to-skin contact is important for all mums and babies but even more so when diabetes is involved. 

Skin-to-skin contact: 

• helps reduce the chance of low blood sugar in your baby.³
• encourages your baby to follow breastfeeding instincts to attach and feed.
• can increase your oxytocin levels. This is important in establishing your breastmilk supply. 

Hold your baby skin-to-skin as much as possible during the first week. 

Sometimes babies of mums with diabetes need extra support in a nursery for a short time. This might be for monitoring or treatment, including support with blood sugar levels.

If this happens:

• Let staff know you’d like to breastfeed.
• Ask for your expressed colostrum to be given to your baby.
• If you can’t breastfeed straight away, you can hand express so your colostrum can still be given.

Being apart from your baby can feel stressful and it may make breastfeeding feel harder at first. You’re not alone in this. You could ask to see a lactation consultant or call the Breastfeeding Helpline and speak with counsellor for extra support.

If you and your baby are well:

• Try to breastfeed within the first hour after birth
• Keep feeding often in the early days.
• If you can’t breastfeed straight away, expressing can help your milk supply get started.

Your body makes milk based on how often milk is removed. Feeding or expressing often helps build your supply. 

Some mums with diabetes notice their milk takes a little longer to increase in volume or ‘come in’. Insulin plays a central role in starting and maintaining breastfeeding. Keep feeding your baby as often as you can and ask for support. 

Breastfeeding usually follows a similar pattern to other healthy, full-term babies.

• Feed your baby as often as they need
• Follow your baby’s feeding cues
• Spend time together skin-to-skin

These all help build and maintain your milk supply.  
It’s normal for breastfeeding to take some practice in the early days. Support and persistence can make a big difference.

Breastfeeding with diabetes can take a bit of extra planning, especially in the early weeks. 

Some mums notice their body responds differently during or after a breastfeed. For example, your blood sugar levels may change, so it can help to be prepared and have support around you. 

You could:

• Keep a snack and drink nearby when you’re feeding, especially in the early weeks
• Try to eat regularly around your baby’s feeding times
• Have your phone close by if you need to contact someone for support
• Talk with your health care team about what to expect while breastfeeding and when to seek help

In the early months, breastfeeding can be frequent and at different times of the day and night. This can affect your usual routines, like when you eat and rest, and how you manage your diabetes.  Staying in touch with your diabetes care team can help you feel more confident as you get to know how your body responds.

At the same time, it’s important to go gently. You’re caring for a new baby and recovering from birth. Rest where you can, accept support, and focus on getting to know your baby.

No matter which type of diabetes you have, breastfeeding is linked with positive health outcomes for you and your baby.

• It may help your body respond better to insulin.⁴  
• If you had gestational diabetes, breastfeeding may reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.⁵
• For your baby, breastfeeding may reduce the risk of later overweight and obesity.⁶

You may have extra things to think about when you have diabetes, but many mums go on to breastfeed successfully.

With preparation, support and time, you and your baby can find what works for you.

The information on this website does not replace advice from your health care provider.

© Australian Breastfeeding Association July 2026