Breastfeeding A Baby With Low Blood Sugar

Dean Rouseberg Author: Dean Rouseberg Time for reading: ~6 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022
Breastfeeding A Baby With Low Blood Sugar

The condition is not common in newborns, and early breastfeeding helps prevent it.

What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is a medical term used to describe low blood sugar levels. And these reduced values ​​are found when the body's demand for glucose is greater than its supply. In such cases, the plasma glucose concentration decreases. If the values ​​fall too much, then the baby falls into hypoglycemia.

Blood sugar levels are regulated by a hormone called insulin. It helps the body store sugar (glucose in the blood) and use it when it needs it. When everything in the baby's body is functioning well, the hormone balances the blood sugar levels. However, if this balance is disturbed for any reason, hypoglycaemia occurs.

The condition is not common in newborns, and early breastfeeding helps prevent it. In infants, glucose is derived from lactose (milk sugar), which is found in colostrum and milk.

 

Some babies have more difficulty maintaining adequate blood sugar than others. However, when it comes to low blood sugar it is necessary to take treatment, otherwise it can lead to serious consequences for the health of the child. Prolonged maintenance of low blood sugar could lead to brain damage. Therefore, it is necessary for the baby's condition to be monitored by a doctor and timely measures to be taken.

What are the causes of hypoglycemia in newborns?

While the baby is in the mother's womb, his blood sugar is controlled by the umbilical cord. During the last three months in the womb, however, glycogen begins to be stored in his liver. Therefore, low blood sugar levels are most commonly found in premature babies who do not have enough stored glycogen in their liver.

Another reason for low blood sugar in newborns is improperly controlled maternal diabetes. This can lead to too much insulin being produced by the baby after birth.

Another possible reason is if the baby is left to cry too much after birth, is stressed and is too cold - this can also lower sugar levels.

Less common but also possible causes of hypoglycaemia are brain trauma or metabolic disorders.

The newborn's blood sugar levels drop in the first few hours after birth, which is completely normal. Early breastfeeding can help normalize values, as the baby receives glucose from the milk he takes in. During breastfeeding, sugar levels will rise, when the time for the next feeding approaches, they will begin to decrease. Maintaining the right values ​​is a delicate and balanced action. In addition, infants who do not show symptoms of hypoglycaemia do not need glucose supplements. They should not be applied routinely.

When a baby has low blood sugar, it does not mean that he will develop diabetes. Gradually, over time, the newborn will begin to suckle well and blood sugar levels will return to normal.

Symptomatic hypoglycemia in newborns is largely due to delayed or malnutrition, which is often the result of separation of mother and baby after birth. Many newborns are given glucose to prevent low blood sugar. However, this leads to a sudden increase in its values, which in turn stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. High insulin levels lead to a sudden drop in glucose levels. It is interesting to note that frequent feeding with small portions of food is essential in the treatment of hypoglycemia in adults. The same goes for babies - it is best to breastfeed them on demand. Immediate and frequent meals (on request) with colostrum are preferred to ten to twelve meals a day (on schedule) in the first few days.

Most healthy babies can easily cope with normal ups and downs in blood sugar levels. However, some may be at risk, including:

  • babies born to mothers with diabetes or gestational diabetes;
  • babies born to mothers who have been given large doses of glucose solution during birth. Glucose should be avoided during birth, unless absolutely necessary, as its infusion during birth to the mother also affects the baby (with it, its values ​​also increase);
  • babies born to mothers taking medication;
  • low birth weight babies;
  • babies with colds or respiratory problems after birth;
  • babies who have had a difficult birth.

After birth, medical staff will check your baby's glucose level with a blood test if you are worried. In some hospitals, these blood tests are normally performed on high-risk babies.

 

How can I tell if my baby has hypoglycemia?

Apparently there is no way to establish this. But sometimes, if your baby's blood sugar is too low , you may notice some symptoms such as: nervousness or irritability, drowsiness, lethargy, bluish or pale skin color, tremor, sweating, seizures.

When you have not yet known your baby, it is difficult to guess what is normal and what is not, so do not hesitate to consult a doctor if something is bothering you and you want your blood sugar levels to be measured. Even if it is not hypoglycaemia, if something in your baby's behavior worries you, consult a specialist. There may be another health problem.

When a baby's blood sugar is too low, he may have convulsions. This is a sign that something very serious is happening and you need to seek emergency medical help.

A blood test is the only way to know for sure what your child's blood sugar levels are.

What is the treatment for hypoglycemia?

Low blood sugar should be treated immediately, as if left untreated for too long, it can cause other serious health problems such as brain damage.

If you and the medical staff are worried about your baby's blood sugar level, the first thing to do is feed him. Breast milk is the best remedy and can affect blood sugar levels.

Keep the baby close to you, preferably skin-to-skin contact. In this way the child will be calm, eat well and be warm enough, which in turn will reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

 

If the baby refuses to breastfeed, it does not mean that he will not breastfeed. You will need to use a pump to express milk for you or the nurses to bottle feed the baby.

However, if you have a problem with expressing and cannot provide the right amount of milk for the baby, do not blame yourself. The medical staff will offer the baby another alternative (formula) to deal with low sugar levels.

If the levels are still low after breastfeeding, it will be necessary for the medical staff to make an infusion with the child's glucose. However, if it does not respond well to this procedure, or if the improvement is short-lived and the hypoglycaemia reappears, it is necessary to order tests to find the cause of the condition.

My baby has hypoglycemia, can I breastfeed him?

Yes! When your baby has low blood sugar, it does not mean that there is something wrong with the milk. Breastfeeding a baby with this problem is the best thing you can do for him.

However, if the baby does not want to breastfeed for a while, try to save your milk by expressing. Remember that skin-to-skin contact is also essential. With more patience, a little help and advice from experts, you will be able to make him suck again.

How to help a baby with low blood sugar?

  • Breastfeed as often as you can and focus your energy on encouraging your baby to breastfeed effectively. Small, frequent high-protein portions of colostrum are very good for him. Breast milk will stabilize blood sugar levels.
  • Keep your baby warm and prevent long periods of crying.
  • Skin-to-skin contact is highly recommended.
  • Early breastfeeding is strongly recommended - if possible in the delivery room.
  • In case of a problem with breastfeeding or if the baby does not suckle properly, you can express the colostrum and offer it in a bottle. Even a small amount of it can help regulate blood sugar.
  • If you have diabetes, you will need to control it well during pregnancy.

Finally

The best way to stabilize blood sugar and prevent hypoglycemia in all babies is to breastfeed soon after birth and frequent colostrum and breastfeeding.

 

More on the topic:
  • How to feed a breastfeeding woman
  • Diarrhea in breastfed babies
  • How to eliminate nighttime breastfeeding
  • Natural means of stopping breast milk

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