Summary
This randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial evaluated whether short-term supplementation with brewers' yeast or beta-glucan derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae could increase breast milk production in mothers following preterm birth. Among 105 mothers randomised across three Australian neonatal units, neither intervention produced a clinically meaningful increase in daily expressed milk volume compared to placebo (brewers' yeast +94 mL/day [95% CI −51 to 239]; beta-glucan −25 mL/day [95% CI −173 to 123]), though both were well tolerated. The authors acknowledge the limitations of their small sample size.
Regional applicability
Findings are directly applicable to United Kingdom neonatal practice, as preterm birth rates and neonatal management pathways are comparable to Australian tertiary centres. The negative result regarding these galactagogue candidates may inform UK guidance on lactation support strategies in preterm populations, though larger trials may be warranted before ruling out these interventions entirely.
Key measures
Daily expressed breast milk volume (mL/day) on day 7; adjusted mean difference between intervention and placebo groups; maternal side effects
Outcomes reported
The study measured total expressed breast milk volume over 24 hours on day seven of intervention in mothers who gave birth prematurely. It compared the effect of brewers' yeast and beta-glucan supplementation versus placebo on daily breast milk production.
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