The influence of lactation on BMD measurements and TBS: a 12-month follow-up study

Prospective associations between breast feeding, metabolic health, inflammation and bone density in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus

“… 59 Postulated reasons for this temporary loss are mainly calcium mobilization from the bones used for milk production, higher parathyroid hormone-related protein stimulating the release of calcium from the bones, lower calcium intestinal absorption and high prolactin levels suppressing the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis. 13 59 From our results, it appears that breastfeeding duration in women with GDM does not negatively impact BMD at 1 year postpartum (even in a context where 28% of women were still breastfeeding), aligning with results in women without GDM. These results are reassuring, especially since women with prior GDM have lower BMD 30 compared with healthy controls and have an increased risk of hip and other fractures later in life.…”

“…There are conflicting data regarding its effect on body composition and BMD in the general population. [8][9][10][11][12][13] While an intervention to promote breastfeeding duration did not result in lower percentage of body fat in a large cluster-randomized trial, 14 one cohort study showed a beneficial association between breastfeeding and fat mass index (FMI) in women having had a child in the last 5 years 9 and two prospective studies suggested that exclusive breast feeding was associated with lower fat mass than mixed breastfeeding. 15 16 In addition, breastfeeding has been associated with a lower visceral adipose tissue in some studies.…”

“… 31 Additionally, breastfeeding is associated with a reduction in BMD, that may be transitory. 13 To date, there have been no studies on the impact of breastfeeding on BMD in women with prior GDM.…”