Lactation intensity and maternal weight loss at two months postpartum in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (1017.9)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between lactation intensity and maternal weight loss at 2 months after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) delivery.Methods: This analysis includes 960 participants (75% minority) in the Study of Women, Infant Feeding, and Type 2 Diabetes After GDM Pregnancy (SWIFT), who were diagnosed with GDM via Carpenter and Coustan criteria and delivered a live born infant of 37 weeks gestation or longer at Kaiser Permanente hospitals from 2008‐2011. We assessed lactation intensity since delivery, and estimated mean weight change (kg); defined as the difference between weight at delivery and weight at 2 months postpartum, among 5 lactation intensity groups using multiple linear regression models adjusted for pre‐pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, socio‐demographics and behaviors.Results: Of 960, 25% and 34% were exclusively and mostly breastfeeding, respectively, and 15% were exclusively formula feeding. Mean (95%CI) weight losses were ‐1.4 kg (‐2.1, ‐0.6), and ‐1.2 kg (‐1.8,‐1.5) greater for exclusively and mostly breastfeeding groups versus the exclusively formula feeding group (p<.001) in fully adjusted models.Conclusions: Intensive lactation was associated with greater weight loss within 2 months of delivery independent of lifestyle behaviors and other risk factors. Lactation may be beneficial in lowering adiposity among women at high‐risk for type 2 diabetes.Grant Funding Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), R01 HD050625, R01 HD050625‐03S1, a