They had nearly a quarter less risk of diabetes and a fifth less risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood.
The findings provide new evidence on the benefits of breastfeeding in protecting against diabetes.
It involved looking at Canadian women and their children, including First Nations (FN) Canadians.
Professor Garry Shen at University of Manitoba said: "Breastfeeding initiation was associated with a reduced risk of subsequently developing diabetes among women and their offspring.Â
reastfeeding initiation was associated with a reduced risk of subsequently developing diabetes among women and their offspring
"Breastfeeding initiation should be promoted in general population, especially for First Nation mothers who have lower rates of breastfeeding initiation."
Previous studies have indicated that exclusive or partial breastfeeding may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in mothers or offspring.Â
Yet the impact of breastfeeding initiation on the development of subsequent diabetes among mothers and offspring had not been determined in a large-scale database study.
The findings presented at this year's World Diabetes Congress in Vancouver investigated the impact of breastfeeding initiation on subsequent diabetes among First Nation (FN) and non-FN mothers and their offspring in Manitoba between 1987 and 2011.
Diabetes - The Facts 1769448787FzCjKSDP
They studied 334,553 deliveries during the 24-year period in Manitoba province involving 60,088 FN births and 274,465 non-FN births.
Breastfeeding initiation was recorded in 56 per cent of FN mothers and 83 per cent of non-FN mothers.Â
Breastfeeding initiation was associated with a 14 per cent reduced risk of diabetes among FN mothers and a 23 per cent reduced risk among non-FN mothers.
A protective effect of breastfeeding initiation was also observed for type 2 diabetes among offspring of the above mothers during up to 24 years of follow-up, reducing the risk of diabetes by 18 per cent.Â