American researchers wanted to know if lactation biscuits really help to stimulate the production of breast milk.
- Lactation biscuits contain “galactogenic” foods and plants, that is to say, they promote the production of milk.
- These products, which “can give false hope and lead to unnecessary financial costs”, have no significant effect on the quantity of milk actually produced or collected.
- They contain a lot of calories and sugars.
Adopting an effective position, giving the breast as often as possible, offering both breasts at each feeding… Several methods can be used to increase lactation. Some mothers rely on the consumption of herbal teas to promote the production of breast milk. Other breastfeeding women turn to lactation biscuits, which contain “galactogenic” foods and plants, such as fennel, cumin, oatmeal, brewer’s yeast, flax seeds or even fenugreek. Issue : “their effectiveness remains unknown”, report researchers from the University of Georgia Southern. To find out for sure, they carried out a study published in the journal The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
176 parents exclusively breastfeeding their child were followed for one month
As part of this work, the team followed 176 parents, aged 18 to 45, exclusively breastfeeding their two-month-old baby, who was born full term and in good health. For a month, the participants had to eat 56.7 g daily of either lactation biscuits or conventional cakes that were not formulated to increase lactation. In a weekly survey, parents reported how much milk they produced after using a breast pump. The data was analyzed by the scientists and by a statistician.
Lactation biscuits: no significant effect on breast milk production
According to the results, the consumption of lactation biscuits had no significant effect on the amount of milk actually produced or perceived. The authors indicate that consumers should be cautious when considering the potential effect of these products. “Recommendations to consume lactation biscuits to increase milk production can give false hope and lead to unnecessary financial costs at a time when one is vulnerable”can we read in the conclusions of the work.
Lactation cookies contain added sugars and saturated fats
Scientists also warn that these lactation cookies can be high in calories and sugar, which could affect post-pregnancy weight loss efforts and subsequent health issues. “Further research is needed to better understand which foods and nutrients may best help increase milk production in various populations,” said Ana M. Palacios, author of the study, in a statement.
