The Effects of Antenatal Expression of Milk in Late Pregnancy by Diabetic Mothers on Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: The infants of diabetic mothers are at higher risk of hypoglycemia and admittance to neonatal intensive-care units leading to failure in exclusive breastfeeding. AIM: To determine the effects of antenatal expression of milk in late pregnancy by diabetic women on exclusive breastfeeding during the first days and 2 months after birth. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 106 pregnant women with diabetes who were treated at one outpatient maternity clinic and three local maternity units over a period of 2 years were recruited for the study. Patient records and structured interviews by phone were conducted to collect the data 2 months after birth. The data was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Most of the participants expressed breast milk during late pregnancy and did so for an average of 10 days before birth. Half of the women had challenges in breastfeeding, and only 14% exclusively breastfed their infants. The proportion of women exclusively breastfeeding was similar between those who antenatally expressed and those who did not. Women who had antenatal expressed milk were slightly more likely to use their own milk as a supplement feed. Women who found antenatal expression easy exclusively breastfed more. A higher amount of antenatal expressed milk increased exclusive breastfeeding at the hospital. CONCLUSION: Antenatal expression of milk had no effect on exclusive breastfeeding later at home. The infants of diabetic women are at a high risk of receiving supplemental feeding after birth.