Evaluation of early postpartum fenugreek supplementation on expressed breast milk volume and prolactin levels variation

Abstract

BackgroundThe most common reason for the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding is the assumption of insufficient breast milk. Egyptian women have traditionally used fenugreek to increase milk flow and supplementation. However, this practice has not been scientifically evaluated or proved yet. ObjectivesThe study aimed to evaluate the effect of the consumption of one of the herbal galactagogues (fenugreek) on expressed breastmilk volume and post-partum prolactin level change. MethodsThe study included 60 healthy mothers whom baby was admitted to Pediatric Ain shams University NICU for more than two weeks and used to express breast milk using manual breast pump. Mothers were divided into two equal groups as following: group 1 included 30 mothers who consumed three times 200 ml of fenugreek tea (50 gm of fenugreek seeds) with eight times breast pump and group 2 included 30 mothers who used breast pump 8 times per day without fenugreek consumption. Total daily volume of pumped breast milk was assessed at day 3, day 8 and day 15. Serum prolactin was withdrawn at day 3 and day 15 at 9 am. ResultsThe results showed that the mean breastmilk volume increased earlier (at day 3) in the fenugreek group more than the control group (274.60 ± 46.97 ml, 246.37 ± 46.62 ml respectively p < 0.005). Yet at day 8 & 15 the net daily volume showed no significant difference between both groups. Prolactin level was significantly higher on day 3 in group of fenugreek than other group (152.77 ± 18.46 ng/ml versus 134.53 ± 17.35 ng/ml) with no significant difference later on. ConclusionFenugreek consumption affects the early stage of lactogenesis and prolactin level but did not affect the established breastmilk volume or change in prolactin level at later stages so it can be used for mother satisfaction and reassurance in the early stages of lactation.