Enhancing Breast Milk Volume Through Moringa Soy Milk Consumption in Lactating Women

Exclusive breastfeeding is vital for infant development and maternal health, but inadequate milk volume remains a common challenge. Locally available foods such as Moringa oleifera leaves and soy milk possess galactagogue properties and may improve lactation outcomes. This quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest control group design was conducted at Malawili Health Center, Sorong Regency, Indonesia, from January to April 2025. A total of 52 breastfeeding mothers were recruited using purposive sampling and assigned to either the intervention group, which received 180 mL of moringa soy milk twice daily, or the control group, which consumed standard milk for lactating mothers. Breast milk volume was measured with an electric breast pump on postpartum days 4, 18, and 32. The intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in milk volume from 83.65 mL on day 4 to 642.63 mL on day 32, a total rise of 558.88 mL (p < 0.001). The control group also showed an increase, from 83.85 mL to 507.54 mL, with a total rise of 423.69 mL (p < 0.001). While no baseline differences were observed, significant differences emerged from day 18 onward, favoring the intervention. Nutritional intake, including energy, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and folate, improved significantly in the intervention group. Moringa soy milk effectively enhances breast milk volume and maternal nutrient intake. As an affordable and locally producible intervention, it has strong potential to support exclusive breastfeeding programs and improve maternal and child health outcomes.