Gestational diabetes affects women during pregnancy and causes a lifelong risk for diabetes. Children of women with a history of gestational diabetes are also at risk, especially if they are overweight. But families can take small steps to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

If you had gestational diabetes, you can prevent type 2 diabetes by losing a small amount of weight by being more physically active and making healthy food choices. And your children can lower their risk for type 2 diabetes if they do not become overweight. The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) suggests taking these small steps to prevent diabetes:

Tips for Mothers:

• If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, get tested for diabetes six to 12 weeks after your baby is born, then every one to two years.

• Breastfeed your baby. It may lower your child’s risk for type 2 diabetes.

• Try to reach your pre-pregnancy weight six to 12 months after your baby is born. Then, if you still weigh too much, work to lose at least 5 to 7 percent of your body weight (10 to 14 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds).

• Be physically active at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week and eat smaller portions of healthy foods to help you reach and stay at a healthy weight.

Tips for the Family:

• Tell your child’s doctor that you had gestational diabetes and ask for an eating plan for your child.

• Follow a healthy lifestyle as a family. Serve your children healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, dry beans and peas, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese. Choose water to drink.

• Help your children be physically active at least 60 minutes a day and limit TV and inactive video and computer game time to an hour or two a day.