Group Yoga Sessions for Improving Breastfeeding: A Scoping Review Nyoko Brown, Denise Willoughby, Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi, PhD, Bita Amani, Ph.D., M.H.S, Miranda Lam Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science – College of Medicine Telephone: (661) 427-3679 Email: nyokobrown@cdrewu.edu Abstract Title: Group Yoga Sessions for Improving Breastfeeding: A Scoping Review Introduction: Breastmilk is crucial to the growth and development of healthy children. Investigating interventions that may improve lactation is important for the overall improvement of maternal and infant health outcomes. This scoping review aims to show how relaxation and physical health benefits from yoga can support breastfeeding efforts. Background: Prenatal yoga may be used as an effective approach for increased lactation due to preliminary studies that have found beneficial effects on mental health such as depression and anxiety. Methods: An electronic search in PubMed was performed using the keywords: “breastfeeding AND stress factors”, “breastfeeding”, “yoga AND lactation”, “benefits of yoga”, “lactation”, “breastfeeding interventions.” Two investigators independently evaluated the titles and abstracts in the first stage and the full text in a second stage review. Articles not published between 2019 and 2024, articles that did not examine relationships between yoga and breastfeeding and/or breastfeeding and mood disorders were excluded. 11 studies were selected and included. Data was independently extracted. Results: Increased stress showed an association with a decrease in exclusive breastfeeding. Participants who exclusively breastfed, as opposed to supplementing with formula, showed lower risk of postpartum PTSD. Higher anxiety and depression scores were associated with lower maternal oxytocin levels during breastfeeding. Mindfulness, a large facet of yoga, was significantly and negatively associated with the discontinuation of breastfeeding. When looking at the effect of counseling with stress management on postpartum anxiety and distress, the intervention group showed significantly lower mean score of state anxiety. Participants who received the intervention also showed a significantly higher mean score of breastfeeding selfefficacy and milk output and volume. The most effective interventions were community-based interventions. Conclusions: Significant associations between breastfeeding practices and maternal distress suggest that a consistent mindfulness practice, such as yoga, may improve breastfeeding adequacy. Pre-natal yoga was found to lower stress, depression, and anxiety. Postpartum yoga was found to result in higher oxytocin and prolactin levels in primipara women. 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