Impact of plant-derived galactagogues on breast milk  production and blood prolactin levels in early postpartum  mothers of preterm infants: A double-blind randomised  controlled trial :

Edward S. Appiagyei; Nobel  Gyedu; Vincent  Amarh; Emmanuel Ofori; Mary Ani-Amponsah; Emmanuel P. Abbeyquaye; Ibok  Oduro; Wilhelmina A. Mensah

doi:10.46829/hsijournal.2025.6.7.1.1204-1212

Edward S. Appiagyei Department Of Biochemistry And Biotechnology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Nobel Gyedu Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
Vincent Amarh Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
Emmanuel Ofori Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
Mary Ani-Amponsah Department of Maternal And Child Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
Emmanuel P. Abbeyquaye Department of Paediatrics, 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana
Ibok Oduro Department of Food Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Wilhelmina A. Mensah Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2025.6.7.1.1204-1212

Keywords: Preterm babies, Breast milk, galactagogues, serum prolactin

Abstract

Background: Preterm infants require efficient care and provision of adequate nutrition to enhance their survival and minimise complications that may arise during growth and development. Breast milk represents the sole recommended source of nutrition for preterm infants until 6 months after birth.
Objective: This study investigated the effect of plant-derived galactagogues on breast milk production and serum prolactin levels of early postpartum mothers, as well as on the weight of their preterm infants.
Methods: A double-blinded, randomised and controlled study design was used to determine breast milk volume and serum prolactin levels on days 1 and 7 of early postpartum mothers of preterm infants given food products containing plant-derived galactagogues (granola or chocolate drink) or the corresponding placebo food products. The weight of the preterm infants fed on breast milk was also measured on days 1 and 7.
Results: Mean breast milk volume was significantly increased in mothers who received the granola (p < 0.0001), chocolate drink (p < 0.0001), granola placebo (p < 0.0001) and chocolate drink placebo (p = 0.0007) by day 7. Serum prolactin levels of the mothers and the weight of the preterm infants were not significantly different on day 7 compared to the values obtained on day 1. There was no significant correlation between breast milk volume and either serum prolactin levels or infant weight on days 1 and 7 for the intervention and placebo groups.
Conclusion: Plant-based galactagogues had no effect on serum prolactin levels or the amount of breast milk produced in early postpartum mothers with hypogalactia. The molecular processes that control the bioavailability of prolactin, composition and production of breast milk in nursing mothers require further investigation.

Impact of plant-derived galactagogues on breast milk production and blood prolactin levels in early postpartum mothers of preterm infants: A double-blind randomised controlled trial

Assessing the impact of plant-derived galactagogues on breast milk production

Abstract