Gestational metabolic conditions and breastfeeding: physiology, epidemiology and lactation outcomes

This thesis examines the complex relationship between maternal metabolic conditions (including diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity) and breastfeeding outcomes. It focuses on two key hormones involved in lactation—prolactin and human placental lactogen—and explores how altered hormone levels may contribute to reduced breastfeeding success. National data from Australian women further demonstrate that maternal obesity is associated with suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes. By improving understanding of the hormonal pathways linking metabolism and lactation, this research supports more tailored breastfeeding support for women with metabolic disease and can inform future clinical care, professional education, and public health strategies.