Salma Hayek was 40 when she became pregnant with her now 12-year-old daughter Valentina. It was a tough pregnancy: She gained around 50 pounds and developed gestational diabetes. Fortunately, she breastfed her baby for 15 months, and that may have spared Salma a cascade of health issues that often follow gestational diabetes, including developing Type 2 diabetes and associated complications.
In a new study, published in Diabetes Care, researchers tracked the health of moms who had gestational diabetes. They found those who had breastfed for six to 12 months were 9% less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding for one to two years reduced their risk by 15%, and breastfeeding for two-plus years reduced the risk 27%. Overall about 50% of women who have gestational diabetes do develop Type 2 diabetes.
Fortunately, lifestyle habits - especially diet and exercise - make a huge difference in recovering from the dangers of gestational diabetes. So, whether you breastfeed or not, if you had gestational diabetes:
- Have your doc check your blood glucose six to 12 weeks postpartum and then, if it's normal, every one to three years.
- Aim to lose at least 5% to 7% of your body weight - a healthy BMI is 18.5-24.9.
- Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Say, 30 minutes of brisk walking five days per week.
- Plus, have your child monitored for gestational diabetes-related issues including elevated blood glucose and being overweight. And get your child walking ASAP. Together the two of you can leave the risks of gestational diabetes behind.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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