How to make lactation cookies that will boost your milk supply

These are the best lactation cookies because they can also be made as dairy- or egg-free options.

Do lactation cookies work?

The short answer is yes, lactation cookies do help increase breast milk supply. Ingredients in lactation cookies contain galactagogues or substances that increase milk supply. Popular galactagogues include oats, leafy greens, fennel, brewer’s yeast and ginger to name a few.

When should I start eating lactation cookies?

While you can eat lactation cookies towards the end of your pregnancy, rather wait until you start expressing to gauge whether you need cookies to help with milk supply.

How many lactation cookies should I eat?

2-3 should be more than enough. Remember that while these breast milk supply cookies will help, they do contain calories, so be mindful of this.

Ingredients for lactation cookies

1 cup self-raising wholemeal flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ cup butter (or coconut oil)
½ to ¾ cup brown sugar (or sugar substitute)
2 tbsp. ground flaxseed
1 egg (or substitute for vegan option)
2 to 3 tbsp. water (according to taste)
2 tbsp. Brewer’s yeast (NOT baker’s yeast. This can’t be substituted for any other yeast as it won’t be as effective)
1½ cups oats (organic, steel-cut oats are best, but rolled oats are also fine)

Flavour options: 1 tbsp. vanilla extract & 1 tsp. cinnamon
OPTIONAL: ½ cup of your favourite biscuit ingredients (Oreos or Ginger Snaps sound perfect)

How to make lactation cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl, then add the egg and vanilla. Mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flaxseed and water. Let them sit for a few minutes before adding to mix.
4. Add the dry ingredients (apart from the oats and your additional ingredients) and mix well again.
5. Stir the oats and your additional ingredients into the mix.
6. Roll mixture into 14 to 16 balls. Place the balls onto a lightly greased, lined baking tray. Flatten them a little with your fingers or a spatula. If you like a soft centre, don’t flatten them too much.
7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on how crunchy you like your biscuits.

Notes: Oats stimulate the pituitary gland and brewer’s yeast contains phytoestrogens, which helps to increase milk supply. You can substitute egg with some apple sauce or more ground flaxseed, and butter with coconut oil for egg- and dairy-free options. Coconut flour will help with a lower glycaemic index.

Recipe supplied by Dr Taryn Turner, Dr Mom’s Homoeopathics and Apothecary

Also read: Lactation cookies: how to boost milk supply and bonding