Evaluation of breastfeeding patterns of womens with/without gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: To evaluate breastfeeding status of the women with/without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Method: It is descriptive and comparative study carried out on a total of 340 postpartum women 170 with and 170 without GDM in five baby-friendly hospitals affiliated to Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health. For data collection, introductive information questionnaire, a form that evaluate breastfeeding activities in the first 24 hours and another one that evaluate breastfeeding activities in the first week were prepared by the investigator and were used. Data were evaluated by t test, chi-square test.Results: It was found that the women with GDM latter did their first breastfeeding activity (67.6% vs. 42.6%, p=0.01), had shorter duration of the first breastfeeding activity (6.0±3.7; 6±4.4; p=0.00), their infants had more deep sleep (13.5% vs. 7.1%, p=0.01) and had more breastfeeding problems during the first 24 hours (75.9% vs. 49.4%, p=0.00) compared to those without GDM. The most common problem experienced by women in both groups during the first 24 hours was that the insufficient breast milk (53.8% vs. 47.1%). In regard to breastfeeding definition, it was found that rate of exclusive breastfeeding activity was lower in the women with GDM (70% vs. 72.9%, p=0.00). It was also found that breastfeeding problems were more common (35.9% vs. 23.5%, p=0.01), problem of insufficient breast milk continued in the women with GDM in postpartum first week compared to those without GDM (65.9% vs. 23.5%, p=0.00). The rate of exclusive breastfeeding activity was also continuing lower in the women with GDM (68.8% vs. 85.3%, p=0.00).Conclusions: It was found that time to the first breastfeeding activity was latter, breastfeeding problems were more frequent, and rate of exclusive breastfeeding activity was lower in the women with GDM. Thus, breastfeeding protocols should be created for the women with such problems, and early and frequent breastfeeding should be supported.