Lactation Cookies

So many new mamas worry about their milk supply- and recently, I have too! Now realistically, I know there’s nothing to worry about. Less than 2% of women actually have an insufficient supply, and babies don’t need much so if you aren’t trying to pump extra, your body will regulate very quickly to make just the amount your little one needs!

But still, my mother’s brain worries! We see so many people pumping off excessive amounts, having huge freezer stashes- it can feel like that is the normal when in reality, anything more than your baby can eat in a day is an oversupply.

That being said, many mothers like me need to be able to pump sometimes. So they can leave for work, so dad can take shifts in the night, or even so they can just have a day off sometimes. And it is tricky to consistently pump if you don’t have a little extra milk.

So. The first port of call is HYDRATION- big time, along with making sure you’re eating enough in general and including lots of iron rich, blood building foods.

But then you can add some specific things to your diet that are galactagogues, milk promoting foods. They affect the hormones required for milk production- prolactin, oxytocin and oestrogen.

These cookies contain:

Oats- aside from nutrient rich they contain saponins, phytoestrogens and beta-glucan, all of which positively affect the hormones needed for milk production.

Flax seeds- incredible source of phytoestrogens that are generally balancing to estrogen levels.

And either

Brewers Yeast- full of B vitamins which are essential for milk production, and chromium which is necessary to produce prolactin

Or

Moringa- great source of Iron as well as phytoesterols, it increases estrogen and prolactin production

So really nothing fancy! Just a little treat that also packs a great nutritional punch.

Recipe

Ingredients:

3c Rolled Oats

1 1/2c Oat flour (just whizz up some rolled oats in a blender! Can sub for regular flour)

3 Tbsp Ground Flax

5 Tbsp Debittered Brewers Yeast OR Moringa OR BOTH!

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

3/4 c Softened Butter

4 Tbsp Coconut Oil

1 c Brown Sugar

1/2 c White sugar

1 Egg & 1 Egg Yolk

2 tsp Vanilla

1 1/2 c Chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, coconut etc. (Whatever add-ins you prefer)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350f

2. Cream butter, coconut oil and sugars until smooth- in a mixer or vigorously by hand!

3. Add Eggs & Vanilla and mix for a further couple of minutes.

4. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add to the wet ingredients a cup or so at a time until fully combined.

5. Add in your chocolate chips or whatever other additional goodies you like!

6. Dollop onto a lined baking tray, whatever size you prefer but be aware these cookies spread quite a lot.

7. Bake for 10-15 minutes depending upon preference.

8. Enjoy a couple of cookies per day along with good hydration and lots of nutritious food!