Home / Health / Soothing Sounds Boost Breast Milk Yield Dramatically
Soothing Sounds Boost Breast Milk Yield Dramatically
23 Feb
Summary
- Soft instrumental music therapy significantly increased breast milk collection.
- Average milk donation per mother rose by over 300% with music.
- Therapy reduces stress hormones, improving milk ejection and flow.
Mumbai's Cama and Albless Hospital has reported a significant rise in breast milk collection following the introduction of soft instrumental music therapy. This innovative approach, implemented in July 2024 at the hospital's human milk bank, has led to a substantial increase in milk collection and distribution over the subsequent two years.
Despite a decline in the number of donor mothers, the therapy saw milk collection jump by 52% in its first year. Over a two-year period, total milk collection increased by 90.8%. Crucially, the average volume of milk donated per mother also saw a remarkable increase, rising from approximately 56.7 ml in 2023 to 316.5 ml in 2025.
Medical experts attribute this success to the music's ability to reduce stress, thereby lowering cortisol levels and enhancing the release of oxytocin, a key hormone for milk production and ejection. Donor mothers reported feeling calmer and more confident during the expression process, indicating that this simple, cost-effective therapy can be widely adopted by milk banks.
