open access

Vol 92, No 2 (2021)
Research paper
Published online: 2021-02-26
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Barley malt-based composition as a galactagogue — a randomized, controlled trial in preterm mothers

Aleksandra Wesolowska1, Bronislawa Pietrzak2, Bozena Kociszewska-Najman3, Miroslaw Wielgos2, Krzysztof Czajkowski4, Ewa Wietrak5, Katarzyna Karzel6, Maria K. Borszewska-Kornacka7
·
Ginekol Pol 2021;92(2):118-125.
Affiliations
  1. Laboratory of Human Milk and Lactation Research at Regional Human Milk Bank in Holy Family Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Neonatology, Warsaw, Poland
  2. 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, Poland
  3. Department of Neonatology , Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, Poland
  4. 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
  5. R&D Nutropharma Llc, Warsaw, Poland
  6. University of Warsaw, Faculty of Psychology, Warsaw, Poland
  7. Department of Neonatology and Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland

open access

Vol 92, No 2 (2021)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Obstetrics
Published online: 2021-02-26

Abstract

Objectives: Delayed or insufficient breast milk production, as well as low milk supply, is still a challenging problem to
overcome, particularly in the case of preterm delivery. Herbal galactagogues might be a good way to increase milk supply,
however, there is a lack of clinical studies confirming their efficacy and safety.
The aim of this study was to verify the safety and effectiveness as a galactagogue of the unique galactagogue composition
based on barley malt with β -glucan and lemon balm.
Material and methods: The study included 117 mothers of preterm infants randomly divided into the Galactagogue
Group given galactagogue and the Placebo Group. A complete data set was obtained for 80 participants, divided equally
between two groups.
Volume of milk expressed by mothers during the first two weeks after delivery was the primary outcome and safety
of the product was the secondary outcome.
Results: Volume of milk recorded on participants’ last visit in the Galactagogue Group was significantly higher than in the
Placebo Group (95 mL vs 62.5 mL, p = 0.049). The total expressed milk volume during the study was 4209 ± 335 mL
in the Placebo Group vs 6036 ± 498 mL (p = 0.003) in the Galactagogue Group.
Conclusions: Supplementation with unique Galactagogue composition was safe and increased milk output which allowed
achieving target minimal volume of 500 mL per day in first week of lactation in preterm mothers.

Abstract

Objectives: Delayed or insufficient breast milk production, as well as low milk supply, is still a challenging problem to
overcome, particularly in the case of preterm delivery. Herbal galactagogues might be a good way to increase milk supply,
however, there is a lack of clinical studies confirming their efficacy and safety.
The aim of this study was to verify the safety and effectiveness as a galactagogue of the unique galactagogue composition
based on barley malt with β -glucan and lemon balm.
Material and methods: The study included 117 mothers of preterm infants randomly divided into the Galactagogue
Group given galactagogue and the Placebo Group. A complete data set was obtained for 80 participants, divided equally
between two groups.
Volume of milk expressed by mothers during the first two weeks after delivery was the primary outcome and safety
of the product was the secondary outcome.
Results: Volume of milk recorded on participants’ last visit in the Galactagogue Group was significantly higher than in the
Placebo Group (95 mL vs 62.5 mL, p = 0.049). The total expressed milk volume during the study was 4209 ± 335 mL
in the Placebo Group vs 6036 ± 498 mL (p = 0.003) in the Galactagogue Group.
Conclusions: Supplementation with unique Galactagogue composition was safe and increased milk output which allowed
achieving target minimal volume of 500 mL per day in first week of lactation in preterm mothers.

Get Citation

Keywords

barley malt; galactagogue; insufficient milk supply; preterm baby; human milk

About this article
Title

Barley malt-based composition as a galactagogue — a randomized, controlled trial in preterm mothers

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 92, No 2 (2021)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

118-125

Published online

2021-02-26

Page views

2468

Article views/downloads

2144

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2020.0107

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2021;92(2):118-125.

Keywords

barley malt
galactagogue
insufficient milk supply
preterm baby
human milk

Authors

Aleksandra Wesolowska
Bronislawa Pietrzak
Bozena Kociszewska-Najman
Miroslaw Wielgos
Krzysztof Czajkowski
Ewa Wietrak
Katarzyna Karzel
Maria K. Borszewska-Kornacka

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