Effects of the Consumption of Commercial Breastfeeding Products (Hearty Lactation Products) on Breastmilk Output and Serum Prolactin Levels of Preterm Lactating Mothers: A Randomized Double-Blinded Control Trial.Effects of the Consumption of Commercial Breastfeeding Products (Hearty Lactation Products) on Breastmilk Output and Serum Prolactin Levels of Preterm Lactating Mothers: A Randomized Double-Blinded Control Trial.Effects of the Consumption of Commercial Breastfeeding Products (Hearty Lactation Products) on Breastmilk Output and Serum Prolactin Levels of Preterm Lactating Mothers: A Randomized Double-Blinded Control Trial.Effects of the Consumption of Commercial Breastfeeding Products (Hearty Lactation Products) on Breastmilk Output and Serum Prolactin Levels of Preterm Lactating Mothers: A Randomized Double-Blinded Control Trial.Effects of the Consumption of Commercial Breastfeeding Products (Hearty Lactation Products) on Breastmilk Output and Serum Prolactin Levels of Preterm Lactating Mothers: A Randomized Double-Blinded Control Trial.Effects of the Consumption of Commercial Breastfeeding Products (Hearty Lactation Products) on Breastmilk Output and Serum Prolactin Levels of Preterm Lactating Mothers: A Randomized Double-Blinded Control Trial.Effects of the Consumption of Commercial Breastfeeding Products (Hearty Lactation Products) on Breastmilk Output and Serum Prolactin Levels of Preterm Lactating Mothers: A Randomized Double-Blinded Control Trial.

Abstract

Breast milk is the preferred food for babies as it habours essential macronutrients, amongst which are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, along with micronutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, C, D, K and B-complex, calcium, phosphorus and iron. It also contains protective elements like immunoglobulins (IgA), lactoferrin, lysozymes, hormones, growth factors and beneficial bacteria (bifidus) which aid in gut health and immunity. Worldwide, infant mortality is estimated to be 13%, as a result of inadequate breastfeeding.Galactogogues are compounds that can contribute to initiating, maintaining, or increasing breast milk production. For many years, diverse foods have been made from galactogogues including fenugreek, fennel, and oats. Even though the effect of galactogogues on breast milk production have been investigated in other geographical populations, little is known about their capacity to boost breast milk production in Ghanaian lactating mothers, whose diets vary significantly from the populations in other continents. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of selected galactagogues-containing food products on serum prolactin levels and breast milk volume of lactating mothers, as well as weight of preterm babies for a 7 day duration. The study was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the 37 Military Hospital. Participants were mothers who gave live birth on or before the 37th week of pregnancy. The study had 2 arms; a control group (granola placebo and chocolate drink placebo) and an intervention group (granola and chocolate drink). Each participant took a food product for 7 days consecutively. Breast milk volume and serum prolactin levels of the breastfeeding mothers and changes in the weight of the babies were recorded on the first and seventh days. By day 7, mothers who took the granola (p < 0.0001), chocolate drink (p < 0.0001), granola placebo (p < 0.0001), and chocolate drink placebo (p = 0.0007) had considerably higher mean breast milk volumes. There was no discernible difference between the preterm infants' weight and the mothers' serum prolactin levels on day 7 and day 1 values. On days 1 and 7, there was no discernible relationship between the intervention and placebo groups' breast milk volume and either serum prolactin levels or newborn weight. In early postpartum mothers with lactation insufficiency, plant-based galactagogues had no effect on serum prolactin levels or the amount of breast milk produced. Further research is recommended to elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating breast milk production and composition in lactating women.