Special foods and local herbs used to enhance breastmilk production in Ghana: rate of use and beliefs of efficacy.

International Breastfeeding Journal
Zakari AliAbdul-Razak Abizari

Abstract

Inadequate breastmilk production is one of the key factors associated with suboptimal breastfeeding. In most local African homes, special herbs and some food items are commonly used to promote breastmilk production (known as lactogogue/galactogogue). We describe the use and characterize the herbs and food items used to promote breastmilk production in two regions of Ghana. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2018 involving 402 lactating mothers. The range of foods used as lactogogues was obtained from 20 participants through focus group discussions. Quantitative data on demographics, lactogogue use and feeding practices were obtained through questionnaire administration. The mean age of women was 29.2 years and children were 10 months. Breastmilk production problems were low (22.4%) and the majority of lactating mothers felt they had adequate breastmilk (70.4%) but awareness about lactogogues was widespread in both regions (88.8%) and highest in the Brong-Ahafo region (90.0%). Information about lactogogues was mainly from grandparents (24.6%), parents (31.6), health facilities (16.5%) and friends (12.8%), while the media had little influence (< 1%). The majority of the mothers used lactogogues to enhance breastmilk producti...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1990·Journal of Animal Science·K E Panter, L F James
Sep 29, 1999·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·J W AndersonD T Remley
May 16, 2009·Women and Birth : Journal of the Australian College of Midwives·Hannah G Dahlen, Caroline S E Homer
Jan 26, 2011·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Canan TurkyılmazYıldız Atalay
Mar 7, 2012·Journal of Pharmacy Practice·Antonia ZapantisLea Schilit
Jun 13, 2012·Breastfeeding Medicine : the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine·Katarzyna BudzynskaPaula Gardiner
Jun 12, 2013·Lancet·Robert E BlackUNKNOWN Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group
Jun 12, 2013·Lancet·Zulfiqar A BhuttaUNKNOWN Lancet Nutrition Interventions Review Group, the Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group
Aug 3, 2013·Pediatrics in Review·Katarzyna BudzynskaPaula Gardiner
Sep 26, 2014·Veterinary Medicine International·Felipe Penagos TabaresZulma Tatiana Ruiz-Cortés
Apr 18, 2015·Journal of Human Lactation : Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association·Marwa R AmerMona A Gandhi
Sep 16, 2015·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Tin Fei SimLisa B G Tee
Mar 11, 2017·International Journal of Women's Health·Alessandra N BazzanoKatherine P Theall
Jun 15, 2018·Breastfeeding Medicine : the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine·Wendy Brodribb

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.