The Effect of Walnut Fruit Consumption on Breast Milk Production among Breastfeeding Mothers

Abstract

Background: Breast milk production is a key determinant of successful exclusive breastfeeding. Insufficient milk supply remains one of the major challenges during lactation and is closely associated with inadequate maternal nutritional intake. Canarium indicum (Kenari) is a local functional food rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may support lactation. However, scientific evidence regarding its effect on breast milk production is still limited. Methods: This quantitative study employed a quasi-experimental approach using a one-group pretest–posttest design. The study was conducted at an Independent Midwifery Practice (PMB X) from January to March 2026 and involved 60 breastfeeding mothers selected through purposive sampling. Participants consumed kenari fruit daily for 14 days. Breast milk production was assessed using validated and reliable observation instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Paired Sample t-test with a 95% confidence level. Results: The mean breast milk production score increased from 76.42 ± 10.53 before the intervention to 91.85 ± 9.26 after the intervention. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference between pretest and posttest measurements (p < 0.001), indicating that kenari fruit consumption significantly improved breast milk production among breastfeeding mothers. Conclusion: Consumption of kenari fruit has the potential to enhance breast milk production by improving maternal nutritional status during lactation. These findings suggest that kenari may serve as a promising local functional food to support exclusive breastfeeding programs. Further studies using randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods are recommended to strengthen the current evidence.