Building Better Breastfeeding Support for Mothers With Gestational Diabetes

This study is working to create a better plan for helping mothers with gestational diabetes continue breastfeeding after they leave the hospital. Researchers know that breastfeeding significantly lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later, but many mothers with gestational diabetes face challenges and stop breastfeeding earlier than they'd like. The study will bring together mothers with gestational diabetes and healthcare providers to design a practical support strategy that can work in real-world settings.

Mothers with gestational diabetes are much less likely to breastfeed exclusively when they leave the hospital and are more likely to stop breastfeeding early compared to other mothers. Since breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to prevent type 2 diabetes in women who had gestational diabetes, researchers need to understand the real barriers these mothers face and co-design support programs that actually work outside the hospital setting.