This article contains findings obtained from research on animals:
- The results from animal research studies should not be directly applied to humans and the results may not generalise to the human population.
- There may be significant differences between species in terms of physiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as differences in the way diseases and treatments are modelled in animals.
- Any conclusions drawn from animal research should be considered with caution and in the context of other types of research studies such as observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews of the literature.
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Date fruit consumption appears to be useful for promoting and increasing breast milk quantity in breastfeeding mothers. Date fruits may be an alternative galactagogue.
2021 Breastfeeding Medicine The Effects of Date Fruit Consumption on Breast Milk Quantity and Nutritional Status of Infants Modepeng T, Pavadhgul P, Bumrungpert A, Kitipichai W
Randomised Controlled Trial Breastfeeding Date Fruit Galactagogues
Breastfeeding mothers who received 10 date fruits/day had an 11% increase in breast milk quantity from baseline to week 2, and a 23% increase from baseline to week 4, (both p < 0.05). The breast milk quantity of the breastfeeding mothers who received date fruits was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in infant nutritional status.
Fenugreek improves breast milk production in mothers and increases the weight gain of newborns during their first week of life.
2020 Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health Effect of fenugreek on breast milk production and weight gain among Infants in the first week of life Ravi R, Joseph J
Randomised Controlled Trial Breast Milk Breastfeeding Fenugreek
The study was an experimental design carried out in two groups, a control and an experimental group, at a maternity centre in Bangalore. A total of sixty postnatal mothers were selected and split evenly between the two groups. For the experimental group, 7.5 grams of fenugreek was steeped overnight; this resulting fenugreek water was then given to these participants once in the morning for one week. The study then assessed and compared the frequency of urination and weight of the infants between the two groups at different points: on the first, third, fifth, and seventh days.
There was identifiable improvement in indicators of sufficient breast milk in the group that consumed the fenugreek compared to the control group. The influence of fenugreek on breast milk was identifiable through increased frequency of urination and weight gain in infants in their first week.
Breast massage eases pain and symptoms in breastfeeding problems.
2019 JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports Effectiveness of breast massage for the treatment of women with breastfeeding problems Anderson L, Kynoch K, Kildea S, Lee N
Systematic Review Breast Massage Breastfeeding Mastitis
This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of breast massage as a treatment for breastfeeding problems. It focuses on outcomes like pain reduction, increased milk supply, and resolution of issues like blocked ducts and mastitis. While breastfeeding is crucial for infant health, rates drop, and complications like mastitis contribute. The review covers studies from 1980 to 2017, including six diverse studies. Although outcomes varied due to different interventions and small sample sizes, all reported reduced pain. However, lack of detailed technique explanation and training hinder replicability. This research is valuable for healthcare professionals, suggesting a need for standardized measurement tools and more robust trials.
Chamomile consumption may stimulate abundant milk production and increase lactogenesis in lactating women.
2017 The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine Chamomile reveals to be a potent galactogogue: the unexpected effect Silva FV, Dias F, Costa G, Campos MG
Case Report Breastfeeding Chamomile
In the report, a woman accidentally discovered an unexpected outcome - an abundant amount of milk and high breast tension - a few hours after consuming chamomile. This observation has not been documented before and sheds light on a possible natural means of stimulating milk production. Regular consumption of chamomile during pregnancy and lactation is well-known for various reasons, but this galactagogue effect, that is the promotion of lactation, has never been reported previously. The woman’s case was carefully documented and analysed to draw a correlation between chamomile intake and this resulting effect.
The potential galactagogue effect of chamomile presents an interesting but unfamiliar aspect. This insight could be potentially useful for mothers struggling with breastfeeding,with the caveat being that the safety of this herbal product's intake without risk to mothers or newborns is still under scrutiny. The results are unexpected and novel, pointing towards a potential new benefit of chamomile tea for lactating women - stimulating lactogenesis. However, the conclusions are drawn from a single case and further in-depth studies are required to confirm this effect and to understand the underlying biological mechanisms at work.
Consumption of fenugreek herbal tea and palm dates appears useful in enhancing breast milk production during the initial postpartum period.
2014 Journal of Pediatric Sciences The Effect of Fenugreek Herbal Tea and Palm Dates on Breast Milk Production and Infant Weight. El Sakka A, Salama M, Salama K
Randomised Controlled Trial Breastfeeding Date Fruit Fenugreek
The study had 75 puerperal women randomized into one of three groups for two weeks: a fenugreek herbal tea group, a palm dates group, and a control group with no galactagogue. Maternal milk volume was gauged on the third postpartum day by manually pumping the breasts. To track the impact on the babies, the infants were weighed on specific days - day 0, 3, 7, and 14.
Women who consumed fenugreek or dates had a noticeable breast milk volume increase on the third day postpartum. Additionally, infants who fed on maternal milk from mothers consuming dates registered weight gain on the seventh day. The infants in the fenugreek and the control group on the other hand, were still under their birth weight at this point. By the fourteenth day, there was no significant difference in any of the groups regarding the infant’s weight.
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