‘Formula, cow milk are diabetes risk factors for infants, mothers’

Mothers who give formula or cow’s milk to their children soon after birth are endangering their lives, as breastfeeding not only helps prevent type 2 diabetes in infants but also benefits mothers by reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, experts said on Sunday.

“It has been proven through various studies that breastfeeding protects infants from type 2 diabetes in the long run. Mothers who give formula milk from day one or cow’s milk later are increasing their chances of developing type 2 diabetes,” said the Baqai Institute of Diabetology & Endocrinology’s Prof Abdul Basit.

Prof Basit lamented that exclusive breastfeeding is declining even in the rural areas of Pakistan. He said that over 25 per cent women in Sindh do not breastfeed their children, and nationwide, more than 50 per cent rely on formula or cow’s milk.

Citing several scientific studies, he emphasised that infants given formula or cow’s milk are more likely to develop diabetes. He explained that a mother’s milk is uniquely suited to her child, providing essential nutrients, proteins, antibodies and other critical components that programme the infant’s body to fight diseases throughout life.

He noted that infants who consume formula or cow’s milk face repeated infections like diarrhoea and pneumonia, which make them more susceptible to diabetes later in life.

Moreover, he pointed out, these children are more likely to become obese, a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. In contrast, he explained, breastfed infants typically maintain an ideal weight due to the balanced nutrition they receive.

Prof Basit highlighted the significant differences between cow’s milk and human milk, particularly in carbohydrate, fat and protein ratios. “Cow’s milk is meant for calves, not humans, and formula milk is not a suitable substitute for human milk.”

Gynaecologist Prof Shabeen Naz Masood said that breastfeeding can help reduce diabetes risk later in life by improving insulin use and aiding in weight management, both crucial factors in diabetes prevention.

“Breastfeeding also reduces inflammation, helping the body handle sugar better. It lowers the risk of conditions that can lead to diabetes, effectively giving the body a head start on staying healthy.”

Prof Shabeen emphasised that the longer a woman breastfeeds, the more protection both she and her child receive, with even a few months of breastfeeding making a substantial difference.

Pakistan Paediatric Association General Secretary Dr Khalid Shafi underscored that mother’s milk is a “tailor-made and species-specific diet”, naturally produced in the required amount without causing allergies, unlike cow’s milk, which can trigger allergies in some children.

“Mother’s milk doesn’t cause obesity, and keeps the child healthy. Unfortunately, some parents perceive breastfed babies as weak, and switch to formula or cow’s milk, which leads to obesity, illness and increased infection risks.”

Dr Shafi noted that mother’s milk helps prevent diarrhoea, while formula and cow’s milk often cause recurrent diarrhoea and other infections, contributing to malnutrition and child mortality in Pakistan.

Other experts also highlighted that breastfeeding offers various health benefits for both infants and mothers, including potential diabetes protection. According to organisations like the World Health Organisation and the Centres for Disease Control & Prevention, breastfeeding is associated with reduced rates of childhood obesity — a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes — and may provide some protection against type 1 diabetes in children.

For mothers, breastfeeding is linked to improved glucose metabolism and reduced post-partum weight retention, which can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Studies published in journals like JAMA Internal Medicine and The Lancet have shown that longer breastfeeding durations correlate with a reduced risk of diabetes for both mothers and children.