Are There Benefits Postpartum Breast Milk Expression Among Women with Diabetes? A Feasibility Study

Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition during the first six months of life and is associated with reduced infant mortality, as well as numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers. However, women with diabetes are less likely to breastfeed and often encounter several challenges. Promoting education about postpartum milk expression may be an effective strategy to support breastfeeding in this population. Research aim: To evaluate the feasibility of postpartum milk expression on the duration and and exclusivity rates of breastfeeding among women with diabetes who practiced routine milk expression postpartum.

Method: In this non-randomized feasibility study, participants received the intervention or usual care. Between 2021 and 2022, women with diabetes, including gestational diabetes, were invited to participate in an education intervention promoting routine postpartum milk expression. Participants were instructed to offer the expressed milk to their infants following breastfeeding sessions.

Results: A total of 30 women reported postpartum milk expression to be feasible. Despite barriers such as difficulties with expression techniques, concerns about milk volume, and fatigue following labor, a greater proportion of women in the intervention group (12/13, 92%) exclusively breastfed during their hospital stay compared to those in the control group (8/17, 47%) (p= 0.017).

Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the feasibility of postpartum milk expression as an intervention, informing the design of future clinical trials. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention, which increased rates of exclusive breastfeeding.