The following question was asked on my blog. I would like to take this time to answer it.

Renee - What about if the person is Type II diabetic?? Does having this disease still have the same benefits?? Are there other risks involved??

Because type 2 diabetes has become more prevalent, there is a rising concern for these mothers’s in relation to breastfeeding their infant’s. Individuals with type 2 diabetes can absolutely breastfeed. It is highly recommended that these mothers’s do breastfeed provided they monitor their own diet and lifestyle. Some mother’s find that their insulin requirement is reduced during lactation. I am sure that individuals with type 2 diabetes feel overwhelmed with their own restrictions that the concern for breastfeeding may be heightened. Breastfeeding is an important part of a woman’s maturation and brings with it enormous benefits for the mother and child, that is no different for a mother with type 2 diabetes. The mother should feel proud to be able to start their child off with the best nutrition out there and fortunately at no cost. Breastfeeding is also associated with a reduction in the likelihood of the child developing type 2 diabetes. So while you are providing you and your baby with the best nutrition possible you are also reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes down the road.