Last week I shared my journey from breastfeeding to exclusive pumping due to Carter’s latch issues and my initial low supply. One of the things that has really worked to increase my milk production has been homemade lactation cookies. I initially purchased cookies from Milkin’ Cookies, but at almost $2 per cookie I knew I could make a more cost-effective batch from scratch.
I had most of the ingredients in my pantry, but did have to make a trip to the local health food store {Health Foods Unlimited} to grab some of the more specialized ingredients.
I’m not sure of just how many cookies you’ll need to eat to get results so you’ll need to experiment with that. For me, 2-3 cookies per day has made a difference. When I woke up the first morning after starting these cookies, I had actually leaked milk for the first time ever. That was a good enough sign for me that they were working!
If you decide to modify this recipe, keep in mind that brewer’s yeast (or nutritional yeast) is the star of the show for milk production. The rolled oats help too. There’s some debate about flaxseed, so you can decide for yourself if you’d like to use that.
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Lactation Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup brewer’s or nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp flaxseed meal
- 3 cups thick oats
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 4 tbsp water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix water and flaxseed in a small bowl. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Beat for 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in the flaxseed and water until well blended. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and yeast.
- Combine dry mixture to butter mixture and blend for 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in oats, chocolate chips, and peanut butter until well blended.
- Spoon into tablespoon sized portions. Place rounded cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool on pan 3 minutes before serving.
Here’s a close up of the key ingredients, if you’re like me and haven’t purchased them before.
The best news? Even though these cookies can boost your milk supply, they’re perfectly safe {and delicious} for the whole family to enjoy.
Just remember, they are cookies and have calories. I purposely didn’t calculate how many calories are in these. But you’ll burn those extra calories off breastfeeding anyway, right? 😉
