Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2024 Oct 24;19(10):e0310867. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310867. eCollection 2024.
Breastfeeding is the optimal form of infant nutrition and remains a critical topic of discussion. In the case of lactation problems, women can be assisted by plant galactagogues designed to induce, sustain, and increase lactation. Reports on the popularity, awareness and knowledge of galactagogues are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the use of galactagogues in the diet among breastfeeding women. The online survey was conducted using anonymized questionnaires, with results collected in the Spring of 2021. Fifty-two women aged 20 to 50 who fed naturally participated in the study, with 69% of respondents being familiar with galactagogues and 42% having used them. The most often indicated herbs were fennel (68%) and anise (45%). Galactagogues were used as ready-to-use herbal lactation mixes (73%). Women found them effective in stimulating lactation (82%) and purchased them in pharmacies (64%) or herbal stores (36%). Respondents were encouraged to use galactagogues by media (32%) and family and friends (45%). Women reported that greater knowledge (57%) would be essential to effectively encourage galactagogues. Breastfeeding women were positive about using plant-based galactagogues and considered them effective. A critical barrier identified by those not using galactagogues was their need for knowledge. The information campaign for pregnant women should include galactagogues as lactation-stimulating herbs.
母乳喂养是婴儿最佳的营养来源，仍然是一个备受关注的话题。对于哺乳期出现的问题，女性可以使用植物催乳剂来促进、维持和增加乳汁分泌。关于催乳剂的普及程度、认知度和知识水平的报告有限。因此，本研究旨在分析哺乳期妇女饮食中催乳剂的使用情况。本研究采用匿名问卷进行在线调查，于 2021 年春季收集结果。共有 52 名年龄在 20 至 50 岁之间的自然哺乳女性参与了研究，其中 69%的受访者熟悉催乳剂，42%的人使用过催乳剂。最常被提及的草药是茴香（68%）和大茴香（45%）。催乳剂最常以即用型草药催乳混合物的形式使用（73%）。82%的女性认为它们能有效刺激乳汁分泌，并在药店（64%）或草药店（36%）购买。32%的受访者受到媒体的鼓励使用催乳剂，45%的受访者受到家人和朋友的鼓励。受访者表示，增加相关知识（57%）对于有效鼓励使用催乳剂至关重要。哺乳期妇女对使用植物性催乳剂持积极态度，并认为它们有效。那些不使用催乳剂的人认为，缺乏相关知识是一个关键障碍。针对孕妇的宣传活动应包括催乳剂作为促进泌乳的草药。
