The research assessed breastfeeding outcomes four months after childbirth among women with Type 2 diabetes and two comparison groups without diabetes.
Findings showed that only 24% of mothers with diabetes exclusively breastfed their infants, compared with 38% of women with a similar BMI and 64% of those with normal BMI.
However, the proportion of mothers who reported breastfeeding, either exclusively or alongside other feeding methods, was 55% in the diabetes group.
This was almost identical to the 54% recorded among BMI-matched women without diabetes, while the figure reached 82% among participants with normal BMI.
The study suggests that higher maternal BMI could be associated with reduced breastfeeding rates, rather than diabetes independently accounting for the difference.
Women with Type 2 diabetes may be less likely to exclusively breastfeed their babies, with maternal body mass index (BMI) emerging as a possible contributing factor, according to a study published on October 31, 2026.
The research assessed breastfeeding outcomes four months after childbirth among women with Type 2 diabetes and two comparison groups without diabetes. Participants were evaluated based on factors including age, number of previous pregnancies and BMI.
Findings showed that only 24% of mothers with diabetes exclusively breastfed their infants, compared with 38% of women with a similar BMI and 64% of those with normal BMI.
However, the proportion of mothers who reported breastfeeding, either exclusively or alongside other feeding methods, was 55% in the diabetes group. This was almost identical to the 54% recorded among BMI-matched women without diabetes, while the figure reached 82% among participants with normal BMI.
Researchers also identified differences in feeding practices immediately after delivery. Women with diabetes were less likely to breastfeed during the first 24 hours, and their newborns received formula more frequently during hospital stays. Low blood glucose levels in infants were identified as the primary reason for introducing formula.
The study suggests that higher maternal BMI could be associated with reduced breastfeeding rates, rather than diabetes independently accounting for the difference.
However, researchers acknowledged that the relatively small sample size and observational nature of the study limited the conclusions. The findings do not establish a direct causal relationship between BMI and breastfeeding outcomes.
The researchers highlighted the importance of personalised breastfeeding support for women with diabetes and called for larger studies to examine how maternal weight, metabolic health and newborn care influence feeding practices.
