My last baby had low blood sugar after she was born. I’m pregnant again, so what can I do (besides give formula) if this baby has low blood sugar too?
Many moms share your experience and are left wondering if breastfeeding was affected by giving formula early on. Getting breastfeeding off to a good start is key, and having a breastfeeding plan is a great way to share your preferences with hospital staff and your support person.
How can I get the best start to breastfeeding?
- By breastfeeding EARLY and OFTEN! Nurse within one hour after delivery (when baby is alert and ready to breastfeed), and aim for 8-12 times in 24 hours thereafter.
- Having uninterrupted skin-to-skin time immediately after baby is born for 1-2 hours. This will stimulate baby’s natural instinct to find the breast and latch. Skin-to-skin contact also helps to stabilize baby’s blood sugar levels.
- Making sure baby has a good, deep latch so they get that amazing colostrum.
If baby has low blood sugar after delivery:
- During the first 1-2 hours after birth, low blood sugar levels are common and occur in almost all babies.
- In healthy, full-term infants, low blood sugar is usually not a problem.
- While in the womb, baby is fully dependent on their mother for glucose. After delivery, because they are no longer receiving glucose through the umbilical cord, their blood sugar falls rapidly.
- Baby’s blood sugar should rise and stabilize by 3 hours after birth. They will continue to rise up to 24 hours, and by 2-4 days, an infant’s blood sugar level is the same as an older child or adult.
- Because colostrum is so rich in nutrients, vitamins, antibodies, antioxidants, protein and growth factors, it is all baby needs for the first few days of life. Studies show colostrum does a better job at stabilizing baby’s blood sugar levels than formula, resulting in less transfers to the NICU for more advanced interventions.
- Formula may be unnecessary. If supplementation is needed, work with hospital staff on the best way to continue breastfeeding, and come up with ways that don’t interfere/interrupt breastfeeding.
How it’s treated:
Your doctor will determine whether baby needs treatment for low blood sugar.
- Glucose gel (usually a better option than sugar water), along with breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, is the best option to try first. Studies show that this is the most effective treatment for stabilizing/maintaining baby’s blood sugar levels.
- Being close to mom reduces infant stress. Stress hormones can cause baby’s blood sugar to go even lower. Room-in with baby during your hospital stay. Consider delaying baby’s first bath for at least 12 hours, as this can be another stressor for a newborn.
If supplementation is needed, these are the alternative options:
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- Mother’s own colostrum, which is most effectively collected using hand expression.
- Pasteurized donor milk.
- Formula, if medically necessary.
To ensure breastfeeding is not affected and a preference to a bottle nipple is not developed, consider giving supplements to baby using an alternative feeding method. Ask a lactation consultant about a supplemental nursing system that allows baby to suckle at the breast while receiving supplementation through a tube inserted into their mouth.
Reach out to your peer counselor for support. We can connect you with our breastfeeding specialist (IBCLC) for additional help.
SOURCES:
- Wight, N. E. (2021) ABM Clinical Protocol #1: Guidelines for Glucose Monitoring and Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Term and Late Preterm Neonates, Revised 2021. Breastfeeding Medicine, 16(5), 1-13.
- Stanford Medicine Children’s Health “Hypoglycemia in a Newborn Baby” 2022. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=hypoglycemia-in-the-newborn-90-P01961
- Newman, J., & Polokova, A. (2022). What Doctors Don’t Know About Breastfeeding. Praeclarus Press. 63-68.