BACKGROUND:
Breastfeeding Continuation and Glucose Tolerance Increased energy expenditure for milk production and improved insulin sensitivity allow for efficient utilization of blood glucose. Additionally, oxytocin and prolactin secreted by the mother during breastfeeding are involved in regulating blood sugar levels.

OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to investigate the degree of postpartum breastfeeding continuation in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its impact on the prognosis of diabetes, focusing on the health status of both mother and child, including type 2 diabetes, glucose tolerance abnormalities, and obesity.

METHODS:
The study design is a retrospective cohort study. Data was collected from medical records of 390 women with GDM at the affiliated university hospital over eight years from 2011 to 2018. A total of 233 items were collected, including the timing of GDM diagnosis, baseline information, blood glucose levels during and after pregnancy, HbA1c, child growth status, and feeding methods.

RESULTS:
Sixty-two percent of participants breastfed for six months or longer. Women who breastfed for this duration had significantly lower rates of glucose abnormalities (6%) compared to those who breastfed for less than six months (13%). Additionally, prolonged breastfeeding correlated with a lower average maternal BMI than shorter durations.

CONCLUSIONS:
Mothers who continued breastfeeding for up to one month postpartum showed greater weight loss and lower blood glucose levels compared to those who did not continue breastfeeding. Additionally, there was a tendency for lower HbA1c levels in mothers who continued breastfeeding.

KEY MESSAGE:
It is important to convey that for women with GDM, continuing breastfeeding is crucial for postpartum weight management and blood glucose control, providing significant health benefits to mothers. Poster session 2 (Group A)