{
  "id": 305799,
  "title": "Scientists may have found a surprisingly simple way to boost breast milk production",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/scientists-may-have-found-a-surprisingly-simple-way-to-boost-breast",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-08T11:00:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PsyPost",
    "slug": "psypost",
    "url": "https://www.psypost.org/scientists-may-have-found-a-surprisingly-simple-way-to-boost-breast-milk-production/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Breastfeeding Journal suggests that listening to music may significantly boost breast milk production in mothers. The study found that women who listened to music produced more breast milk both immediately and over time, as well as improved the fat content of their breast milk. Additionally, the research indicated that music reduced mothers' levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This finding is particularly significant as successful breastfeeding depends on a variety of factors, including the mother's psychological health and emotional relaxation, which can be impacted by stress. The researchers believe that music acts as a psychological relaxation tool, stimulating mood-regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that shift the nervous system into a \"rest-and-digest\" state. This shift lowers cortisol levels, allowing oxytocin to facilitate milk release.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}