Background:

Galactagogues have been used for centuries to induce, maintain, or increase a mother’s milk supply. Recently, there has been an apparent increase in utilization and promotion of galactagogues, largely in the absence of data regarding their efficacy and safety. However, there is limited contemporary evidence about knowledge of these substances in the community or how and where individuals seek information.

Research Aim:

To evaluate knowledge about galactagogue use during breastfeeding among birth parents, including recognition of specific substances, perceptions of safety, and common information sources.

Method:

An online, prospective, cross-sectional survey of Australian birthing parents (N = 2055) who were currently breastfeeding or had previously breastfed their infants was conducted from September to December 2019. The survey included questions about recognition of galactagogues, perceptions of safety, and information-seeking behaviors.

Results:

Among participants, 47% (n = 882) were primiparous and 65% (n = 1,219) were currently breastfeeding. The most recognized galactagogues included lactation cookies (89%; n = 1,828), brewer's yeast (79%; n = 1,629), fenugreek (74%; n = 1,519), and domperidone (69%; n = 1,420). Respondents cited the internet (52%; n = 1,066), lactation support providers (46%; n = 951), midwives (42%; n = 873), general practitioners (39%; n = 802), and social media (35%; n = 714) as common information sources. Lactation support providers and breastfeeding helplines were commonly rated as helpful; whereas, general practitioners and community pharmacists were often rated as unhelpful. While most participants perceived galactagogues to be safe, herbal or dietary galactagogues were perceived to be safer than pharmaceutical galactagogues.

Conclusions:

Our Australian community survey of individuals with current or previous breastfeeding experience identified widespread recognition of galactagogue use, with participants reporting a broad range of information-seeking behaviors and generally perceiving galactagogues as being safe to use.

中文翻译：

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澳大利亚母乳喂养期间使用催乳剂的知识：一项横断面在线调查

背景：

几个世纪以来，催乳剂一直被用于诱导、维持或增加母亲的乳汁供应。最近，催乳剂的使用和推广明显增加，主要是在缺乏有关其功效和安全性的数据的情况下。然而，关于社区中这些物质的知识或个人如何以及在何处寻求信息的当代证据有限。

研究目的：

评估亲生父母在母乳喂养期间使用催乳剂的知识，包括对特定物质的认识、安全感和常见信息来源。

方法：

在2019 年 9 月至 2019 年 12 月期间，对目前正在母乳喂养或曾经母乳喂养过婴儿的澳大利亚分娩父母 ( N = 2055) 进行了一项在线前瞻性横断面调查。该调查包括关于催乳剂的识别、安全感和信息搜索行为。

结果：

在参与者中，47% ( n = 882) 是初产，65% ( n = 1,219) 目前正在母乳喂养。最受认可的催乳剂包括哺乳饼干（89%；n = 1,828）、啤酒酵母（79%；n = 1,629）、胡芦巴（74%；n = 1,519）和多潘立酮（69%；n = 1,420）。受访者提到了互联网（52%；n = 1,066）、哺乳支持提供者（46%；n = 951）、助产士（42%；n = 873）、全科医生（39%；n = 802）和社交媒体（ 35%；n= 714）作为通用信息源。哺乳支持提供者和母乳喂养帮助热线通常被评为有帮助；然而，全科医生和社区药剂师通常被认为没有帮助。虽然大多数参与者认为催乳剂是安全的，但草药或饮食催乳剂被认为比药物催乳剂更安全。

结论：

我们对目前或以前有母乳喂养经验的个体进行的澳大利亚社区调查发现，人们普遍认可催乳剂的使用，参与者报告了广泛的信息寻求行为，并且普遍认为催乳剂可以安全使用。