BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Most pediatricians recommend breastfeeding as the best nutritional option for a newborn, and new research shows that it can be better for the mom, as well.

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that mothers who did not breastfeed their children were almost twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life than women who did.

More than 2,200 women between the ages of 40 and 78 were included in the study.

Giving birth increases the risk of diabetes later in life for the mother, but breastfeeding appeared to reduce this risk to levels of women who never had children.

A healthy diet and exercise reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, but few people realize that breastfeeding helps to decrease maternal belly fat, which also helps to lower the risk.

Researchers said the results provide another good reason to encourage women to breastfeed their infants, at least for the first month.