OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether consumption of maternal herbal tea containing fenugreek had any effects on breast milk production and infants' weight gain pattern in the early postnatal period.

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS:

Sixty-six (66) mother-infant pairs were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 22) consisted of mothers who were receiving herbal tea containing fenugreek every day. Group 2 (n = 22) and group 3 (n = 22) were assigned as placebo and controls, respectively.

OUTCOME MEASURES:

Birth weight, loss of birth weight, time of regain of birth weight, amount of breast milk assessed on the third day after delivery were determined.

RESULTS:

Maximum weight loss was significantly lower in infants in group 1 compared to both the placebo and control groups (p < 0.05). Infants in group 1 regained their birth weight earlier than those in control and placebo groups (p < 0.05). The mean measured breast milk volume of the mothers who received galactagogue tea was significantly higher than the placebo and control groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Maternal galactagogue herbal tea supplementation seems to be useful for enhancing breast milk production and facilitating infant birth weight regain in early postnatal days.