Fahmida Hashem :
Scientists have discovered a link between insulin and breast milk production. Mothers who have low levels of insulin may also have trouble producing enough milk. This will be of interest and concern to mothers with diabetes, of course. However, it may be an even bigger problem for mothers who have pre-diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes. If they do not have a formal diagnosis and are not doing anything to control their insulin levels, this could unknowingly make it difficult for them to produce enough milk.
New research has revealed the hormone Insulin plays an important role in making breast milk, according to a new study that may help explain why many mothers have difficulty producing enough milk to nurse their baby. For a long time, insulin was not thought to play a direct role in regulating the milk-making cells of the human breast. But scientists now know that the mammary gland in breast becomes sensitive to insulin during lactation.
In a new study, which adds to their previous one, the scientists explain that insulin plays a major role in lactation success.
Lactation is the secretion of milk by the mammary glands. During lactation the human mammary gland (woman’s breast) becomes extremely sensitive to insulin.
The milk-making cells in the human breast do not need insulin to take in glucose, which led most experts to believe that insulin played no direct role in lactation. It is now evident that insulin does a great deal more than simply facilitate the uptake of sugars.
In previous research had shown that for mothers with markers of sub-optimal glucose metabolism, such as being overweight, being at an advanced maternal age, or having a large birth-weight baby, it takes longer for their milk to come in, suggesting a role for insulin in the mammary gland.
In Bangladesh, where infant formula isn’t readily accessible, affordable or safe for most families, 98 percent of babies are breastfed and the average age of weaning is 33 months (source: WHO Global Data Bank on Infant and Young Child Feeding). Despite the important role that insulin plays in the human body, very little is known about its presence in human milk. Levels rapidly decrease during the first few days of lactation and then, unlike other serum proteins of similar size, achieve comparable levels to those in serum. The sensitivity to insulin of the human mammary gland could affect the ability to produce breast milk in new mothers, according to new research.
Women should do research into their own individual situation to find out what their chances of being able to breastfeed are and to learn about possible solutions. If you have latch problems, plugged ducts, or other breastfeeding problems, address them right away. Consult your healthcare provider and experts in the field who are knowledgeable about lactation. The longer you wait, the more likely these regular nursing problems are to have an impact on your supply that may not be easy to recover.
Scientists have discovered a link between insulin and breast milk production. Mothers who have low levels of insulin may also have trouble producing enough milk. This will be of interest and concern to mothers with diabetes, of course. However, it may be an even bigger problem for mothers who have pre-diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes. If they do not have a formal diagnosis and are not doing anything to control their insulin levels, this could unknowingly make it difficult for them to produce enough milk.
New research has revealed the hormone Insulin plays an important role in making breast milk, according to a new study that may help explain why many mothers have difficulty producing enough milk to nurse their baby. For a long time, insulin was not thought to play a direct role in regulating the milk-making cells of the human breast. But scientists now know that the mammary gland in breast becomes sensitive to insulin during lactation.
In a new study, which adds to their previous one, the scientists explain that insulin plays a major role in lactation success.
Lactation is the secretion of milk by the mammary glands. During lactation the human mammary gland (woman’s breast) becomes extremely sensitive to insulin.
The milk-making cells in the human breast do not need insulin to take in glucose, which led most experts to believe that insulin played no direct role in lactation. It is now evident that insulin does a great deal more than simply facilitate the uptake of sugars.
In previous research had shown that for mothers with markers of sub-optimal glucose metabolism, such as being overweight, being at an advanced maternal age, or having a large birth-weight baby, it takes longer for their milk to come in, suggesting a role for insulin in the mammary gland.
In Bangladesh, where infant formula isn’t readily accessible, affordable or safe for most families, 98 percent of babies are breastfed and the average age of weaning is 33 months (source: WHO Global Data Bank on Infant and Young Child Feeding). Despite the important role that insulin plays in the human body, very little is known about its presence in human milk. Levels rapidly decrease during the first few days of lactation and then, unlike other serum proteins of similar size, achieve comparable levels to those in serum. The sensitivity to insulin of the human mammary gland could affect the ability to produce breast milk in new mothers, according to new research.
Women should do research into their own individual situation to find out what their chances of being able to breastfeed are and to learn about possible solutions. If you have latch problems, plugged ducts, or other breastfeeding problems, address them right away. Consult your healthcare provider and experts in the field who are knowledgeable about lactation. The longer you wait, the more likely these regular nursing problems are to have an impact on your supply that may not be easy to recover.
(Fahmida Hashem is a nutritionist, BCA Department at Labaid
Cardiac Hospital)
