[blparent] Sensitive breast feeding concern- BF when diabetic

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

I already know it will be crucial to continue checking and monitoring
glucose levels if breast feeding since it typically causes diabetics to
run lower. Since I lean towards lower ranges naturally and have a higher
metabolism, I will definitely be more at risk of low blood sugars.
Regardless if pumping or using breast or combo of both, it will cause my
sugars to drop, and usually these things happen over a certain period of
time and not necessarily right away, so I may feed fine, but then will
drop an hour later, but I could also drop while feeding and/or pumping.
I've been at this for 27 years, so I'm prepared in terms of a checking
schedule and having items on hand if I need to treat, but I will have
this extra step along with what any new mother will go through.

Along with having a basket of some sort nearby and handy with baby
supplies, it will also contain items to treat low blood sugars, and of
course I keep my glucose meter on hand wherever I am.

Feeding from the breast is perfectly fine for a diabetic, but my
thoughts are that I can have a bit more control over monitoring my
glucose levels and being able to treat without disrupting baby at least
when pumping, and from personal experience, setting a bottle down and
laying baby down is a quick, fluid step when experiencing a low blood
sugar and needing to treat immediately. Though I have yet to compare it
to feeding from the breast with my own experience as I have not had any
natural children yet, grin. Of course Ross totally intends on helping as
well.

I completely intend to try feeding from the breast, and who knows, maybe
I will prefer it. I also will need to adjust and acclimate to the new
parent schedule and finding what works best for me and baby. I'm open to
all and new ideas and seeing what works best for us.

It will be a headache concentrating on both baby and my own health
during the adjustment phase, but my health will be priority since of
course if I'm passed out on the floor, I won't be much help to the baby,
smile. I'm very in-tuned  with my body and diabetic symptoms including
while sleeping; I will wake up from sleep if low. Somehow I'm able to
recognize these symptoms in my sleep. I think the fact that I can lucid
dream helps with this along with just having dealt with diabetes for
almost my entire life. I also am aware of how hectic and taxing things
can be at first after bringing baby home, so I want to be safe and know
my options in order to achieve the best plan and schedule for us.

That's why I love this list. Beyond advice in terms of blindness, it is
also a great resource for other parenting info. I like to learn what is
out there and compare it all in order to make the best decision for me.
Thanks everyone.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 23
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:35:52 -0700
From: "Erin Rumer" <erinrumer at gmail.com>
To: "'Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Sensitive breast feeding concern, ladies only
Message-ID: <002601cd1c18$e664f020$b32ed060$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Bridget, I'm sure there are lactation specialists who have an extra
specialization in diabetics who nurse their babies.  If you find one I'd
love to hear what advise she gives you.  You may prove to be completely
different from your mom and sister and as you already know I'm sure,
bottles bring on their own problems like more risk of ear infection,
colic from the bottle letting air into the stomach, more choking from
baby getting too much milk at once and more.  I have always said that
breast feeding allows you to have more immediate time with your baby
since you won't have to take several minutes to get a bottle ready with
a screaming baby waiting and you don't have to deal with all those
bottles to sterilize and keep at the perfect temperature when you go
out.  My son was a constant eater so to give my nipples a little rest I
would supplement with one bottle a day until he was 4 months old and
even then there were too many bottles to deal with in my opinion. LOL

Erin