Effect of Banana Stem Supplementation on Serum Prolactin Levels among Postnatal Mothers: A Pilot Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2025.v17i02.010Abstract
Background: Breastmilk is an ideal food for newborns. Healthcare experts continuously advise exclusive breastfeeding for six months. However, many women are unable to follow due to numerous challenges during the postnatal period, and lower breastmilk production is one among them. The study aims to identify the impact of a banana stem diet on blood prolactin level (BPL) among postnatal mothers and assess the level of satisfaction after nursing care. Methods: A quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted among 20 post-natal mothers. A 4th-day postnatal mother who delivered their baby vaginally was included in the study. Data collection was done in two phases – Phase 1 was the screening, and Phase 2 was the follow-up at the residence of the mothers. The Blood Prolactin Level (BPL) was measured on the 4th day and 12th days following childbirth in both groups. The experimental group received a banana stem diet for one week, while mothers in the control group consumed their usual diet. Results: The majority 4(40%) were under the age group of 21-25 years in the intervention group and 6(60%) were under the age group of 26-30 years in the control group. The majority 5 (50%) and 6(60%) of the mothers were primigravida in both groups. The mean value of blood prolactin level had increased by 153.2 ng/ml, p=0.001, with a high effect (Cohen’s d = 3.29) in the intervention group whereas in the control group, it increased by 21.4 ng/ml, p=0.080. with moderate effect (Cohen’s d =0.56). 70% of the mothers were satisfied with the nurse support during the time of study. Conclusion: The findings suggest that banana stem supplementation may enhance blood prolactin levels during the postnatal period, while the supportive presence of nurses reassures mothers, facilitating effective postpartum recovery and newborn care.
Keywords:
Banana Stem Diet, Blood Prolactin Level (BPL), Lactation, Nursing Support, Postnatal MotherDownloads
References
Aisya, M. W., Zakaria, F., & Daud, W. (2020). The effects of banana blossom (Musa Acuminate Colla) consumption on increased breast milk production in the work area of Talaga Jaya. Journal La Lifesci, 1(4), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.37899/journallalifesci.v1i4.198
Al-Katufi, B., Al-Shikh, M., Al-Hamad, R., Al-Hajri, A., & Al-Hejji, A. (2020). Barriers in continuing exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers in primary health care in the ministry of health in Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 9(2), 957. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_844_19
Brahm, P., & Valdés, V. (2017). The benefits of breastfeeding and associated risks of replacement with baby formulas. Revista Chilena De Pediatria, 88(1), 7–14. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0370-41062017000100001
Buntuchai, G., Pavadhgul, P., Kittipichai, W., & Satheannoppakao, W. (2017). Traditional galactagogue foods and their connection to human milk volume in Thai breastfeeding mothers. Journal of Human Lactation, 33(3), 552–559. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334417709432
Dong, D., Ru, X., Huang, X., Sang, T., Li, S., Wang, Y., & Feng, Q. (2022). A prospective cohort study on lactation status and breastfeeding challenges in mothers giving birth to preterm infants. International Breastfeeding Journal, 17(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-021-00447-4
Fungtammasan, S., & Phupong, V. (2021). The effect of Moringa oleifera capsule in increasing breastmilk volume in early postpartum patients: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial. PLoS One, 16(4), e0248950. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248950
Gabay, M. P. (2002). Galactogogues: medications that induce lactation. Journal of Human Lactation, 18(3), 274–279. https://doi.org/10.1177/089033440201800311
Halken, S., Jacobsen, H. P., Høst, A., & Holmenlund, D. (1995). The effect of hypo-allergenic formulas in infants at risk of allergic disease. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 49 Suppl 1, S77-83. https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/en/publications/the-effect-of-hypo-allergenic-formulas-in-infants-at-risk-of-alle.
Harding, J. (1993). Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. An implementation guide. Midwifery, 9(2), 101. https://doi.org/10.1016/0266-6138(93)90057-Y
Heryani, S., Ningrum, W. M., Mukti, A. S., & Rohmah, S. (2024). Conservation of local resources: The role of kepok banana blossom in supporting breast milk production. Interdisciplinary International Journal of Conservation and Culture, 2(2), 16–21. https://doi.org/10.25157/iijcc.v2i2.4264
Jama, A., Gebreyesus, H., Wubayehu, T., Gebregyorgis, T., Teweldemedhin, M., Berhe, T., & Berhe, N. (2020). Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and its associated factors among children age 6-24 months in Burao district, Somaliland. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-0252-7
Khasawneh, W., & Khasawneh, A. A. (2017). Predictors and barriers to breastfeeding in north of Jordan: could we do better? International Breastfeeding Journal, 12(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-017-0140-y
Kumari, P., Gaur, S. S., & Tiwari, R. K. (2023). Banana and its by‐products: A comprehensive review on its nutritional composition and pharmacological benefits. eFood, 4(5), e110. https://doi.org/10.1002/efd2.110
Lawrence, R. M., & Lawrence, R. A. (2008). The breast and the physiology of lactation. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice (6th edition). Saunders Elsevier. https://listwr.com/8XexXX
Maehara, K., Mori, E., Iwata, H., Sakajo, A., Aoki, K., & Morita, A. (2017). Postpartum maternal function and parenting stress: Comparison by feeding methods. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 23(S1), e12549. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12549
Pohan, A., & Margolang, J. (2022). The effect of banana blossom consumption on increasing breast milk production in public mothers at Murniati Clinic Kisaran. 10(2), 769-773. https://midwifery.iocspublisher.org/index.php/midwifery/article/view/313
Ramani, S., Shaikh, N., Das, S., Pantvaidya, S., Fernandez, A., & Jayaraman, A. (2019). “Everybody breastfeeds if they have milk”: Factors that shape exclusive breastfeeding practices in informal settlements of Mumbai, India. International Breastfeeding Journal, 14(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-019-0204-2.
Shah, R., Sabir, S., & Alhawaj, A. F. (2019). Physiology, Breast milk. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.statpearls.com/articlelibrary/viewarticle/38275/
Sharkey, K. M., Iko, I. N., Machan, J. T., Thompson-Westra, J., & Pearlstein, T. B. (2016). Infant sleep and feeding patterns are associated with maternal sleep, stress, and depressed mood in women with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD). Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 19(2), 209–218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-015-0557-5
UNICEF. (2025, August 2). Benefits of breastfeeding: Breastmilk: nature’s first vaccine and complete nutrition for newborns. UNICEF India. https://www.unicef.org/india/stories/benefits-breastfeeding
University of California San Francisco, UCSF Health. (2024). Prolactin blood test. UCSF Health. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/medical-tests/prolactin-blood-test.
Wahyuningsih, D., Hidayat, S. T., Khafidhoh, N., Suwondo, A., Fatmasari, D., & Susiloretni, K. A. (2017). Effect of Musa Balbisiana Colla extract on breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers. Belitung Nursing Journal, 3(3), 174–182. https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.103
World Health Organization (2020). Breastfeeding. https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding.
World Health Organization (2023). Infant and young child feeding. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
Wray, S., & Prendergast, C. (2021). Physiology of the puerperium and lactation. In K. Lightly & A. Weeks (Eds.), The continuous textbook of women’s medicine: Obstetrics module, volume 15 – The puerperium. The Global Library of Women’s Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3843/GLOWM.415293
Yimyam, S., & Pattamapornpong, S. (2022). Galactagogue effect of banana (Musa x paradisiaca) blossom beverage on breast milk production among mothers undergoing cesarean section. Nursing and Health Sciences Journal (NHSJ), 2(3), 190–197. https://doi.org/10.53713/nhs.v2i3.154
Yimyam, S., Suppansan, P., & Jankajonchai, K. (2023). Effectiveness of banana flower beverage on breast milk production among mothers of preterm neonates. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 29(5), 755–759. https://doi.org/1 0.1016/j.jnn.2023.02.006
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
