MF Villacorta, MS, RD; C.B. Hollenbeck, PhD; YM, Gutierrez, PhD, RD; L. McProud, PhD, RD. San Jose State University, San Jose &
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA

The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of breast feeding (BF) on dietary intake & changes in maternal and infant weight during the first 3-months postpartum in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Eighteen women from the California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program participated in the study. Thirteen women chose to breastfeed (BF) & 5 women chose to formula-feed (FF). Mean age, parity, level of education, and BMI did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the FF group had a significantly higher incidence of pregnancy. The study group was overweight with a mean pre-pregnancy BMI of 27.6 ± 4 kg/m2. All subjects collected 3-day maternal food records. Energy and macronutrient intakes were analyzed during first 2 weeks (FW), mid 2 weeks (MW) and last 2 weeks (LW). The BF group recorded the number of times they breastfed on these same 3 days. Repeated measurements of Kcal and macronutrients were analyzed by general linear model and linear regression, and the means compared using independent t-test. Maternal and infant weights were assessed at 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Blood glucose levels from the date of delivery did not differ significantly between the groups. The frequency of breastfeeding did not differ among the BF subjects. Kcal increased as time progressed in the BF group, while kcal in the FF group decreased during MW and increased during LW. Kcals were significantly different only during the MW period (P = 0.003). The amount of fat (P = 0.04) and carbohydrate (P = 0.001) changed significantly with time in both groups while protein did not, while percent distribution of calories from, fat, carbohydrate and protein did not change significantly over time, and did not different between the groups. Infant weights at birth, 6 and 12 weeks & maternal pre-pregnancy, 6 and 12 weeks weights did not differ between the groups. However, both groups showed a significant increase in weight from week 6 to week 12 (P = 0.05). Thus, these data do not support the notion that breastfeeding may aid in weight reduction during the first 3 months postpartum in women with GDM. It is possible, that longer periods of BF may be necessary to achieve meaningful weight loss.

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