Scientists may have found a surprisingly simple way to boost breast milk production

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials revealed that listening to music may enhance breast milk production in mothers. The study, published in the International Breastfeeding Journal, found that mothers who listened to music produced greater quantities of breast milk both immediately after and over time.

Moreover, the milk contained higher fat content. The research also noted that music reduced stress levels in participating mothers by decreasing cortisol levels. The paper's authors, Shalin Lee Wan Fei and her colleagues, aimed to consolidate existing evidence on music's impact on breastfeeding mothers with term and preterm infants.

They conducted a comprehensive search across four databases, using keywords related to music interventions and breastfeeding. The search yielded six studies involving 696 participants from India, the USA, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, and Thailand. The findings suggest that music therapy, a non-invasive approach, may be a promising adjunct to lactation care, improving milk quantity and composition, while reducing maternal stress. However, further well-designed trials are needed to evaluate its impact on breastfeeding success.