Breastfeeding can be really tricky and isn’t quite as “natural” as everyone describes it to be. And sometimes, your milk doesn’t come in the way you want it to or seems to suddenly be decreasing. This might leave you frantically searching for solutions to get your milk levels back up. Relax mama, everything will work out and every mama & baby’s journey is different. However, one thing that helps a lot of moms increase their milk supply is lactation cookies.
Lactation Cookies to Increase Milk Supply
Do I Need Lactation Cookies to Increase Milk Supply?
First of all, you don’t need to do anything and sometimes our bodies just make the decision for us. However, if you are concerned the first step is to contact a professional Lactation Consultant. They will be able to talk you through everything and help you figure out the next steps.
Most of the time, new mamas are actually worried about nothing and their milk supply is just fine, but it is so hard to know on your own! If your supply is in fact low, things like skin-to-skin contact or more frequent feedings will typically do the trick.
Diet is also often an issue when it comes to milk supply. This is where lactation cookies come in because they can help to supplement the nutrients you need. They have the high-quality fats and grains that you need.
Reasons My Milk Supply Might Be Low
The answers are not always so clear, but here are some things that might be going on.
- Poor Latch: Breast milk production is based on supply and demand. If your baby is struggling to latch properly then your breasts are not being emptied, and your body doesn’t know to increase production. A lactation consultant will be able to help you with this!
- Not Breast Feeding Enough: Just like above, you have to keep in mind breast milk production is based on supply and demand. If you are not breastfeeding enough, your supply will likely decrease. Having a schedule really helps with this!
- Your Little One is Growing: During growth spurts, it can take a minute for your body to catch up. You can check out a growth spurt timeline here! Your baby will likely want to feed frequently, and if you let them your milk supply will increase.
Do Lactation Cookies Work to Increase Milk Supply?
Different things work for different moms. This being said, it does not hurt to try out lactation cookies. After all, it’s an excuse to eat a yummy cookie!
Many moms swear by lactation cookies and they do usually work quite quickly. It is important to eat them every day and have a little bit of consistency if this is a method you are depending on. Not to mention, these cookies are packed full of vitamins and nutrients that new moms need.
Galactagogues
They also have Galactagogues in them, which is what makes lactation cookies work to increase milk supply. Galactagogues, like fenugreek and blessed thistle, are herbal substances that increase lactation.
These ingredients will help boost your milk supply and so will the ingredients listed below, all of which are commonly found in lactation cookies.
Brewers Yeast
Brewers Yeast contains lots of B vitamins and protein, which will help to keep your energy up and is good for your nervous system. It is also good for your skin, hair, and eyes which comes in handy postpartum. Brewers yeast is a fungus commonly used in alcoholic beverage brewing and to make bread.
Wheat Germ
Zinc is the magical ingredient for breastfeeding found in wheat germ.
Flaxseed
Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber? Yes, please! Flaxseed contains both of these things and will help to regulate your digestive system.
Oats
Oats are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are good for your immune system and anti-inflammatory.
Best Lactation Cookies to Increase Milk Supply
Milkful Bars
This perfect mix of rolled oats, black sesame seeds, flax and brewer’s yeast makes for a perfect snack and will boost lactation. They are delicious, but still low in sugar and high in fiber. Not only do they offer bars jam-packed with nutrients for nursing, but they also make bars for a healthy pre-natal and post-natal snack. I love that these are not just lactation cookies, but really beneficial for mama’s health too.
You have some great flavors to choose from, like Blueberry Coconut, Chocolate Banana, and Maple Walnut.
UpSpring Milkflow Lactation Cookie
These rich, double chocolate chip cookies are yummy and will help with your low milk supply because they have both Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. Upspring Milkflow cookies are nonGMO and contain no artificial ingredients. They are packaged individually making it easy to toss some in the diaper bag when you are on the go.
Keep in mind fenugreek can cause some babies to become gassy, so you should pay attention to your baby when you start eating these and be sure it isn’t upsetting their tummy.
The Fertile Goddess Company Cookie Mix
If you don’t want something prepackaged but are not up for cooking something from scratch, check out this cookie mix! It is the only lactation cookie mix that is USDA certified organic. Plus, it contains whole-grain oats, oat flour, brewer’s yeast, and flaxseed which all help to support mamas who are lactating.
Lactation consultants recommend trying things like this cookie mix rather than herbal supplements, as side effects are much less of a risk.
Milkmakers Cookie Bites
Who can resist cookie bites? There’s something about sweets being tiny that makes them even more irresistible than normal-sized treats. Milkmakers Cookie Bites come in a couple of delicious flavors, like chocolate salted caramel and oatmeal chocolate chip.
These cookies are free of fenugreek, so a great option if you feel your baby reacted negatively to that ingredient in another cookie. Instead they contain other key ingredients like Flaxseed and Brewers Yeast. These also come in little individual serving size packets making them easy to bring along wherever you go.
Boobie Bar
Boobie Bars were created by a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, so you know they have got all the good stuff in them! It is packed full of the milk-making herbs you need, and just one a day will help support lactation.
These have Tumeric in them, which you don’t see in many of the others, but has tons of health benefits. They also contain coconut oil and are vegan and non-GMO!
We’ve linked the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip flavor, but there are lots of other options available.
MilkBliss Soft Baked Cookies
Last but not least, we bring you MilkBliss Soft Baked Cookies to help increase your milk supply. Jessica, the founder & creator of MilkBliss, is a mom herself and has experienced the unpredictableness of breastfeeding.
She eats her cookies daily to steady her supply. These cookies are made of whole rolled oats, Brewer’s Yeast, and Flax seed. As well as, they are all-natural and non-GMO.
Have More Questions?
Whether you will be whipping out your baking sheet or purchasing prepackaged cookies to increase milk supply, know you are not alone. So many mamas struggle with low supply, in fact, it is one of the most common reasons that moms stop breastfeeding. Please reach out to our Rookie Moms Facebook Group if you would like to speak with other mamas!
You Might Also Enjoy:
The VERY Best Pumps for Hands Free Pumping
Baby Refusing the Bottle? 14 Tips to End the Strike!
How Much Milk Will My Baby Need? A Guide for Year 1!
