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    The use, perceived effectiveness and safety of herbal galactagogues during breastfeeding: A qualitative study

    230481_230481.pdf (686.6Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Sim, T.
    Hattingh, H. Laetitia
    Sherriff, Jill
    Tee, L.
    Date
    2015
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Sim, T. and Hattingh, H.L. and Sherriff, J. and Tee, L. 2015. The use, perceived effectiveness and safety of herbal galactagogues during breastfeeding: A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 12 (9): pp. 11050-11071.
    Source Title
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    DOI
    10.3390/ijerph120911050
    ISSN
    1661-7827
    School
    School of Public Health
    Remarks

    This open access article is distributed under the Creative Commons license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/45506
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding as the normal infant feeding method and that infants being breastfed should be regarded as the control group or norm reference in all instances. There are many factors which could contribute to a new mother ceasing breastfeeding early, with the most commonly reported reason being perceived insufficient breast milk supply. The use of herbal galactagogues is increasingly common worldwide. Literature review identified a need for more research in the area of herbal galactagogue use during breastfeeding. Twenty in-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with breastfeeding women who used herbal galactagogues, to document use and explore their perceived effectiveness and safety of herbal galactagogues. Several indicators of breastfeeding adequacy were mentioned as participants described their experiences with the use of herbal galactagogues. Confidence and self-empowerment emerged as an over-arching theme linked to positive experiences with the use of herbal galactagogues. Despite the lack of clinical trial data on the actual increase in measured volume of breast milk production, indicators of breastfeeding adequacy boosted participants’ confidence levels and resulted in psychological benefits. This study highlighted the importance of considering the potential psychological benefits of using herbal galactagogues, and how this translates into breastfeeding adequacy.

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