Adelaide researcher studying effectiveness supplements marketed to boost breast milk supply
A staggering one in two breastfeeding mums take a supplement to boost their milk supplies despite fears many may not do what they claim.
Lifestyle
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Half of the nation’s breastfeeding mums are now taking one or more supplements to boost their milk supply but an Adelaide researcher warns many are just “snake oil” solutions.
The statistic was revealed in a survey of 2000 Australian nursing mothers by Flinders University and SAHMRI reproductive and perinatal researcher Luke Grzeskowiak.
Associate Professor Grzeskowiak, also a qualified pharmacist, said the number of new mums using supplements had spiked.
“If you go back four or five years very few women were using, or had even heard of, the use of substances to improve breastmilk supply,” he said.
“What we are seeing in recent years is a rapid increase in the products available but also in the heavy marketing of these to new mothers.
“The underlying assumption is because these are herbs, foods, or natural products, they are perceived as being safe with basically no adverse effects.
“But when you actually study them, there are potential risks with some, particularly in the dosages recommended on the packaging.”
Prof Grzeskowiak said his team, funded in part by the Hospital Research Foundation, is looking at strategies for improving how supplements or medications are used to enhance breastmilk supply.
“We are now doing a number of clinical trials as well as reviewing the evidence around different substances and trying to better understand … why (mums) are taking it and what their experiences are,” he said.
One of the products in the research team’s spotlight is popular herb supplement fenugreek.
“Research shows more than 50 per cent of women who are taking fenugreek, do so because of information they’ve found on the internet,” Prof Grzeskowiak said.
“The work we are publishing (finds) the scientific evidence, the highest quality of evidence we can get, fails to show evidence of any benefits of this particular treatment.”
Prof Grzeskowiak said many women felt intense pressure to breastfeed and others falsely believed their milk supply was insufficient.
“Women are spending hundreds of dollars on these products which make quite grand claims,” he said.
“The real concern for us is, if individuals are using these substances as an alternative to getting proper breastfeeding support and advice.”
Mum of two Michelle Freeling said she was fortunate to have always had a good supply of milk to breastfeed her children, two-year-old Owen and baby Marley, who is six weeks old.
“I would definitely be open to trying supplements if supply is ever an issue but … as a nurse and researcher, I am aware that not all supplements are safe and backed by evidence,” she said.
“I have noticed a rise in products of this nature being advertised and I am worried that breastfeeding mums are being targeted.
“It is important that products being marketed and sold to women for this purpose are effective and safe, and the Mums I know want to use products where this is proven.”
