Lactation cookies recipes

Lactation cookies recipes for all situations

Lactation cookies recipes are snacks designed to support breast milk production using ingredients traditionally associated with lactation. They’re popular among breastfeeding and pumping moms—not as a miracle cure, but as a nutritious, convenient support food.

🍼 What Are Lactation Cookies?

Lactation cookies are nutrient-dense cookies that usually contain:

  • Oats
  • Flaxseed
  • Brewer’s yeast

These ingredients are known as galactagogues—foods believed to help increase milk supply.

⚠️ Important:
They do not work instantly and won’t fix underlying issues (poor latch, dehydration, stress, infrequent feeding).


🌿 Key Ingredients & Why They Matter

1. Oats

  • Rich in iron (low iron can affect milk supply)
  • Slow-digesting carbs → steady energy
  • Helps many moms notice fuller breasts

2. Flaxseed (ground)

  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Hormone-supporting properties
  • Helps digestion postpartum

3. Brewer’s Yeast

  • B vitamins (especially B12)
  • May support prolactin levels
  • Can improve energy and mood

Optional Add-Ins

  • Fenugreek (use cautiously)
  • Chia seeds
  • Almond butter
  • Dark chocolate chips
  • Coconut oil

Lactation cookies recipes
Image source: Wellness by Renee

🍪 Classic Lactation Cookies Recipe (Most Popular)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup flour (all-purpose or oat flour)
  • ¼ cup ground flaxseed
  • 2 tbsp brewer’s yeast
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter or coconut oil
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F
  2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl
  3. Cream butter + sugar, then add egg & vanilla
  4. Combine wet + dry
  5. Scoop onto tray
  6. Bake 10–12 minutes
  7. Cool before eating

🟢 Dosage: 1–2 cookies per day

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Image source:
NutJar


🌱 No-Bake Lactation Cookies (Fast & Easy)

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups oats
  • ½ cup peanut or almond butter
  • ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp flaxseed
  • 1 tbsp brewer’s yeast
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Mix everything
  2. Chill 30 minutes
  3. Roll into balls or press into bars

✔️ Great for night feeds and pumping sessions


image 2
Image source: Monkey and Me Kitchen Adventures

🌾 Gluten-Free / Dairy-Free Version

  • Use oat flour
  • Swap butter → coconut oil
  • Use maple syrup
  • Dark chocolate or skip chocolate

Texture is softer but equally effective.

image 3
Image source: Panaceas Pantry

🧠 Do Lactation Cookies Actually Work? (Honest Review)

thumbs up regular

Pros

  • Better energy & mood
  • Some moms notice increased supply in 2–5 days
  • Encourage hydration & eating enough
  • Convenient calories for breastfeeding
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Cons

  • Easy to overeat (high-calorie)
  • Fenugreek may reduce supply for some
  • Can cause gas/bloating (brewer’s yeast)
  • Won’t work for everyone

⭐ Overall Verdict

Helpful support tool, not magic.
Best used alongside:

  • Frequent feeding/pumping
  • Proper latch
  • Enough fluids
  • Adequate rest

🥛 How to Maximize Results

✔ Eat cookies after feeding or pumping
✔ Drink water or oat milk
✔ Combine with skin-to-skin contact
✔ Be consistent for several days


🧾 Final Takeaway

Lactation cookies are:

  • A safe, tasty supplement
  • Easy to make at home
  • Best used as part of a bigger breastfeeding routine

FAQs

How many lactation cookies should I eat per day?

1–2 cookies per day is ideal.
Eating more won’t increase supply faster and may cause bloating or excess calories.

Do lactation cookies really increase milk supply?

Sometimes, yes.
Many breastfeeding parents notice an increase within 2–5 days, but results vary. They work best as a support, not a cure.

How fast do they work?

Some notice changes in 24–72 hours
Others need up to a week
Some notice no change
Milk supply depends heavily on frequent feeding/pumping, hydration, and rest.

What ingredient matters the most?

Oats are the most consistently helpful.
Then:
Flaxseed
Brewer’s yeast
Fenugreek is optional and not recommended for everyone.

Can lactation cookies cause gas or bloating?

Yes.
Brewer’s yeast and flaxseed may cause:
Gas
Bloating
Mild stomach discomfort
👉 Start with ½ cookie if sensitive.

Are lactation cookies safe while breastfeeding?

Yes, when eaten in moderation and with common ingredients.
Avoid:
Excess fenugreek
Unknown herbal blends
Supplements not approved for breastfeeding

Can I eat lactation cookies during pregnancy?

Generally yes, if:
No fenugreek
No medicinal herbs
Approved by your doctor
They’re basically nutrient cookies, not medication.

READ ALSO: Best BRA for pumping

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