Authors: Cengel RK and Dogan G*
Breast milk is an indispensable source of nutrition, composed of thousands of components crucial for the growth and development of infants. It is the gold standard for the nourishment of newborns and babies. According to guidelines from the World Health Organization, exclusive breastfeeding should be practiced up to 6 months, with complementary feeding introduced concurrently until the age of 2 years. Breastfeeding is recognized as a crucial stage in women's reproductive processes, benefiting both the mother and the baby. Adequate and balanced nutrition during pregnancy and lactation not only influences the mother's healthy body weight but also affects the content of breast milk. Insufficient production of breast milk can occur due to maternal factors, baby-related conditions, or psychological reasons. To address this, mothers may turn to practices aimed at increasing milk supply, such as applying milk-enhancing recipes learned from their social environment and consuming specific foods and beverages. Commonly believed milk-boosting foods include soups, fruits, vegetables, bulgur, molasses, halva, yogurt, and syrups. Galactagogues are substances that initiate the synthesis of breast milk, aiding in its continuation and enhancement. The mechanisms of many food substances classified as galactagogues are not fully understood. This review examines the positive effects of commonly reported herbal galactagogues, including fenugreek, asparagus, fennel, dates, blessed thistle, milk thistle, anise, and black cumin, on breast milk. This article aims to investigate the effects of herbal galactagogues on breast milk production. The study evaluates the potential of various plants to enhance milk supply. This article employs a review study approach, gathering information from previously conducted research. The selected studies, accessible through PubMed, Google Scholar, YökTez, and BioMed Central, must be peer-reviewed, published within the last 10 years, and focus on the effects of herbal galactagogues on breast milk. Exclusion criteria include studies with insufficient evidence, outdated content, or biased results. The present research emphasizes the need to increase awareness and knowledge levels regarding galactagogues in the community and among healthcare professionals. It also underscores the necessity for further studies to provide evidence-based clarification on unresolved aspects related to galactagogues and their positive relationship with breast milk.
Keywords: Lactation; Breastfeeding; Breast Milk; Galactagogue
