The effect of molasses syrup (containing Vitis juice, saffron and Omani lemon) on the breastfeeding pattern of primiparous mothers: a randomized clinical trial

Mother's physical and mental health and ability are the key factors in the breastfeeding process. In traditional medicine, grape juice is called Debs or Doshab. It has also been said that its properties are similar to mother's milk. Molasses syrup consisting of concentrated grape juice, Omani lemon and saffron is a source of strengthening the mother after childbirth in Iranian medicine. The present study was performed with aim to investigate the effect of molasses syrup on the breastfeeding pattern in the first three months after childbirth.

This three-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 92 mothers who gave birth in Hafez and Shushtri hospitals in Shiraz in 2020-2021. In the intervention group, molasses syrup and in the control group, placebo was received for six weeks. Data were collected with demographic and midwifery questionnaire and breastfeeding pattern questionnaire. The breastfeeding pattern was examined on the first, tenth, one month and three months after delivery. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 26) and independent t, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The pattern of breastfeeding on the first day of birth, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in both intervention (97.82%) and control (95.70%) groups had no statistically significant difference (p=0.500). The pattern of exclusive breastfeeding with breast milk showed a significant difference on the 10th day in the intervention (71.7%) and control (32.6%) groups (p=0.001), on the 30th day in the intervention (82.6%) and control (34.8%) groups (p<0.001), and three months later in the intervention (82.6%) and control (32.6%) groups (p<0.001).

The consumption of grape juice, saffron and Omani lemon syrup (Debs) by the mother can be effective on the breastfeeding pattern on the 3rd day, 10th day, 30th day and third month and can improve the mother's breastfeeding.