Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and the Use of Prescription Medication: A Pilot Study

Abstract EN

To examine the association of self-efficacy, perception of milk production, and lactating women’s use of medication prescribed to increase breast milk in a cohort of 18–40-year-old mothers over six months.

Methods.

Mothers (n=76) attending community clinics completed the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and the Humenick/Hill Lactation Scale, a measure of perceived milk production, three times.

Results.

Domperidone, a dopamine antagonist, was used by 28% of participants.

On average, those using domperidone had lower self-efficacy scores than those not using it (P<0.05) and were more likely to have used formula (Pearson chi-square test statistic =6.87, df=1, P<0.05).

Breastfeeding self efficacy and perception of milk production were positively correlated.

Conclusion.

Breastfeeding assessment conducted prior to prescription of galactogogues is recommended for mothers and healthy term babies.

Following Baby-Friendly hospital protocols and increasing self-efficacy for lactating women may be most effective in sustaining breastfeeding.

Risks and benefits of various galactogogues are discussed.