Health provider experiences with galactagogues to support breastfeeding: a cross-sectional survey

Figures & data

Table 1 Provider characteristics (total sample size =71)

	N (%)
Gender (n=43)
Female	41 (95.3)
Specialty (n=47)
Obstetrician/gynecologist	7 (14.9)
Pediatrician	5 (10.6)
Lactation consultant	12 (25.5)
Doula	7 (14.9)
Breastfeeding counselor	2 (4.3)
Certified nurse-midwife	7 (14.9)
Labor and delivery nurse	1 (2.1)
Obstetrics registered nurse	1 (2.1)
La Leche League leadera	1 (2.1)
Did not specify	4 (8.5)
Years in practice (n=37)
<5	17 (45.9)
5–15	14 (37.8)
16–25	5 (13.5)
>25	1 (2.7)
Race (n=43)
Black or African-American	4 (9.3)
White	36 (83.7)
Mixed	1 (2.3)
Multiracial: Caucasian	1 (2.3)
Asian	1 (2.3)
Ethnicity (n=44)
Not Hispanic or Latino	43 (97.7)

Note:

a La Leche League is a nonprofit organization that distributes information on, and promotes, breastfeeding.

Figure 1 Frequency of providers recommendation, by galactagogue (n=47).

Figure 2 Dosing practices of providers who prescribe or recommend galactagogues.

Table 2 Selected sources of information reported for dosing of galactagogues

• Colleagues: “Many places. Midwifery college, independent research, experience, talking with colleagues”. [Midwife]

• Personal experience: respondent was a lactation consultant.

• UpToDate.com and other Internet sources: “Google Search: galactagogue, Dr. Jack Newman, Reglan protocol, domperidone protocol”. [Physcian]. “Product websites followed by IBCLE authors’ books, articles, and conferences”. [Lactation consultant]

• Readings/literature: “Herbalist, literature”. [Lactation consultant]. “Reading. Word of mouth from other providers on ‘proof’ that it works, and if moms have any increase in milk supply that cannot otherwise be explained”. [Lactation consultant]. “Literature research, Dr. Hale’s Medication and Mother’s Milk handbook, as well as various lactation conferences”. [Lactation consultant]

• La Leche Leaguea/IBLCE: all respondents were lactation consultants.

Note:

a La Leche League is a nonprofit organization that distributes information on, and promotes, breastfeeding.

Abbrevation: IBLCE, International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

Figure 3 Provider report of perceived usefulness and reported side effects.