Breastfeeding & Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)
Breastfeeding can cause a drop in blood glucose levels. To avoid going hypo, have a snack (containing protein and carbohydrates) and some fluids either before or during nursing. Keeping a non-perishable snack stash in baby’s room or your regular nursing spot can help during those middle-of-the-night feedings. You may even consider setting up a small portable fridge for cold drinks and food here also to lessen any temptation to skip the snack at that 2 a.m. feeding. In addition, keep some glucose tablets or other fast-acting sugars within reach in case of a hypoglycemic emergency.

Medicine and Breastfeeding
Although regular insulin injections by mom pose no risk to breastfeeding infants, certain diabetes medications and other over-the-counter and prescriptions drugs do pass into breastmilk in varying amounts. In some cases the benefits of breastfeeding may outweigh any negative impact of medication in breastmilk, or there may be an alternate, safer prescription available. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist about your current prescriptions in advance to decide what’s best for you and baby.

Rest
Some women find that the hormonal changes their bodies go through when breastfeeding help to prevent blood sugar highs and give them better control. However, other women with diabetes find they have difficulty keeping the same tight management of their blood sugars when nursing. Why? One reason may be that being a new mom is a high stress, low rest job, and stress is notorious for sending blood sugars off the deep end. Try napping when baby naps, and you’ll be able to make up some of that lost sleep. It may be tempting to catch up on laundry or housework during this respite, but don’t do it. Your body needs the time more than your house does right now.

Finally, breastfeeding is worth all the trouble as it is the best food designed by our Creator God for babies.