Effectiveness of banana flower beverage on breast milk production among mothers of preterm neonates

Abstract

BackgroundIn Thailand, banana flower is a popular galactagogue used for insufficient breast milk among lactating mothers, especially mothers with preterm neonates. AimTo investigate the effects of banana flower beverages on breast milk production among mothers with preterm neonates. MethodA randomized controlled trial was conducted among mothers with preterm neonates who were recruited and randomized into treatment group (nt = 20) who consumed banana flower beverage and control group (nc = 21) who received only plain water. The amount of expressed breast milk during three days postpartum was recorded and compared between the two groups. ResultsThe results showed that mothers in the treatment group had higher milk production than those in control group on Day 2 (48 ± 2 h) and Day 3 (72 ± 2 h) of postpartum. No adverse effects were reported. ConclusionBanana flower is a promising galactagogue in augmenting breast milk in mothers with preterm neonates with no adverse effects.