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 production (67.7%), and a quarter of them used lactogogues because of their tradition (25.2%). Prevalence of lactogogue use was 83.8%, lactogogues were prepared separate from household meals (59.4%) and consumed one to three times a day (89.6%). Users felt the effectiveness within 24 h of use (98.5%). The most common lactogogues included; groundnut/peanut soup prepared with Bra leaves (Hibiscus sabdariffa), hot black tea, Werewere/Agushi (Citrulus colocynthis) prepared with Bra leaves, and Abemudro (a polyherbal formulation). Only 13.2% of lactating mothers also used lactogogues during pregnancy. Special foods and selected herbs are widely used to enhance breastmilk production in Ghana and constitute an important part of the diet of lactating mothers. These results could contribute to understanding breastfeeding behaviours and stimulate further research into evaluating the safety and scientific efficacy of these products in Ghana.

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用于提高加纳母乳产量的特殊食物和当地草药：使用率和功效信念

母乳分泌不足是与次优母乳喂养相关的关键因素之一。在大多数当地非洲家庭中，通常使用特殊草药和一些食品来促进母乳生产（称为催乳剂/催乳剂）。我们描述了加纳两个地区用于促进母乳生产的草药和食品的用途和特征。我们在 2018 年进行了一项横断面研究，涉及 402 名哺乳期母亲。用作催乳剂的食物范围是通过焦点小组讨论从 20 名参与者那里获得的。通过问卷管理获得关于人口统计学、催乳剂使用和喂养实践的定量数据。妇女的平均年龄为 29.2 岁，儿童为 10 个月。母乳生产问题很少（22. 4%) 和大多数哺乳期母亲认为他们有足够的母乳 (70.4%)，但两个地区对催乳剂的认识很普遍 (88.8%)，在 Brong-Ahafo 地区 (90.0%) 最高。关于催乳剂的信息主要来自祖父母（24.6%）、父母（31.6）、医疗机构（16.5%）和朋友（12.8%），而媒体影响很小（<1%）。大多数母亲使用催乳剂来提高母乳产量 (67.7%)，四分之一的母亲因其传统而使用催乳剂 (25.2%)。使用催乳剂的流行率为 83.8%，催乳剂与家庭膳食分开准备 (59.4%)，每天食用 1 到 3 次 (89.6%)。用户在使用后 24 小时内感受到有效性 (98.5%)。最常见的催乳剂包括；用文胸叶 (Hibiscus sabdariffa) 制成的花生/花生汤，热红茶、用胸罩叶制成的 Werewere/Agushi（Citrulus colocynthis）和 Abemudro（一种多草制剂）。只有 13.2% 的哺乳母亲在怀孕期间也使用催乳剂。在加纳，特殊食物和精选草药被广泛用于提高母乳产量，并且是哺乳期母亲饮食的重要组成部分。这些结果有助于了解母乳喂养行为，并激发进一步研究以评估这些产品在加纳的安全性和科学功效。在加纳，特殊食物和精选草药被广泛用于提高母乳产量，并且是哺乳期母亲饮食的重要组成部分。这些结果有助于了解母乳喂养行为，并激发进一步研究以评估这些产品在加纳的安全性和科学功效。在加纳，特殊食物和精选草药被广泛用于提高母乳产量，并且是哺乳期母亲饮食的重要组成部分。这些结果有助于了解母乳喂养行为，并激发进一步研究以评估这些产品在加纳的安全性和科学功效。