Breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact as non-pharmacological prevention of neonatal hypoglycemia in infants born to women with gestational diabetes; a Danish quasi-experimental study

Objective To investigate the effect on infant blood glucose levels of an intervention consisting of early, frequent breastfeeding and two hours of immediate uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact following birth of term infants born to mothers with diet-treated gestational diabetes (GDM). Study design Quasi-experimental study design with a historical control group (n = 132) and an intervention group (n = 401) testing a procedure to prevent neonatal hypoglycemia. Main outcome measures Data collection on blood glucose levels, hypoglycemia incidence with a cut-off of 2.4 mmol/l and encouraging early frequent breastfeeding is a safe strategy to prevent hypoglycemia.