Breast feeding and type 1 diabetes mellitus:
Breast feeding and type I diabetes mellitus: Breastfeeding for at least 5 months (versus two weeks or less) and late start of bottle feeding were associated with a 29% and 20% risk reduction of type 1 diabetes, respectively. Type 1 diabetes was also found to be more frequent if the mother was older than 40 years old when giving birth, baby had a low birth weight, or if there was a family history of type 1 diabetes. Some factors that reduced diabetes risk included, current cow’s milk intake, higher social status, and a larger family. (3)
Breast feeding and type 2 diabetes mellitus:
Researchers reviewed 7 studies involving 76,744 subjects comparing later frequency of type 2 diabetes in breastfed vs. non-breastfed subjects. Breastfed individuals had a 39% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Breastfeeding was also associated with lower blood glucose and insulin concentrations than those who were formula fed. (4)
