The breast‐feeding experience of women with type I diabetes

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify the factors influencing the initiation and maintenance of breast‐feeding in women with insulin‐dependent diabetes. The lack of research in this area and the need for in‐deptii data necessitated exploratory methodology. Twenty‐two mothers who were insulin dependent before pregnancy and who had given birth in the past 2 years were interviewed. Diabetes was not a principal factor in the decision to breast‐feed or bottle‐feed for the majority of the women. When diabetes was a factor, women were seeking a "normal"; childbear‐ing experience, including breast‐feeding. Although the women did not perceive diabetes as influencing their breast‐feeding experiences, they did find that maintaining good diabetic control required greater effort and flexibility during breast‐feeding.