Higher lactation intensity and longer duration were independently linked with lower incidences of diabetes after gestational diabetes pregnancy, according to a prospective, observational cohort study involving 1,035 women.

Participants–all recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes–were examined 3 times from 6 to 9 weeks after delivery (baseline), as well as annually for 2 years. Follow-up exams included oral glucose tolerance testing, anthropometry, and interviews.

Nearly 12% of the women without diabetes at baseline who were later evaluated developed incident diabetes. There was an inverse association for lactation intensity at baseline with incident diabetes. There was also an inverse association for lactation duration with incident diabetes.

The authors concluded that lactation may prevent diabetes after gestational diabetes delivery.

Citation: Gunderson E, Hurston, S, Ning, X, et al. Lactation and progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus after gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort study. [Published online ahead of print November 24, 2015]. Ann Intern Med. doi:10.7326/M15-0807.