Lactation Cookies

This easy Lactation Cookies recipe is full of nutritious ingredients that help increase milk supply without sacrificing on taste or texture. These breastfeeding cookies are crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle - the perfect treat to make for new moms. 

When I became a new mom (10 years and 6 babies ago...) one of my biggest concerns was whether or not I would produce enough milk to feed my child. The scientist in me researched at nauseam foods that help increase milk supply, and I started eating them months before actually giving birth, just to get a head start! 

I created this easy lactation cookie recipe not only for myself, but for all the mommas I know and love, as a delicious way to increase milk supply and make the stress of breastfeeding a little more enjoyable. 

These breastfeeding cookies are full of nutritious ingredients that help increase milk without sacrificing on taste or texture. They are crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle, and customizable to your preferences - the perfect treat to make for new moms. 

I be sharing this lactation cookies recipe with you, and I'll also discuss galactagogues - foods that promote milk production - later on in this post. 

Lactation Cookies: Ingredients & Substitutions

As always, I recommend making this lactation cookie recipe as written, however here are some possible substitutions/changes.

• Whole wheat pastry flour. Regular whole wheat flour and white whole wheat flour can be used in place of pastry flour. 
• Brewers yeast powder. If you do not have brewers yeast you can substitute 2 TBS more of flaxseed or wheat germ. Nutritional yeast is not the same as brewers yeast. 
• Ground flaxseed/wheat germ. You can use all flaxseed or all wheat germ if you prefer. Just use 4 TBS total. 
• Salted Butter. Unsalted butter and vegan butter work well in this lactation cookie recipe. You can use coconut oil, you may just need to chill the dough before baking. 
• Granulated sugar. For a refined sugar free version use coconut sugar in place of both the granulated and brown sugars. 
• Brown Sugar. both light and dark brown sugars work well in this recipe!
• Old-fashioned oats. I don't recommend using quick oats in this recipe. Rolled and old-fashioned oats can be used. 
• Mix-ins. I'll discuss options for mix-ins later on in this post! 

How to make Lactation Cookies

Now it's time to walk through how to make lactation cookies step-by-step! And don't forget to watch the video! They're really easy to make (no chilling required). 

Combine dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine flour, yeast, flaxseed, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt. Set aside.

Combine wet ingredients & sugar

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand-held mixer, beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 1 minute). Then, add the egg and vanilla and beat for 1 minute.

Add dry ingredients and oats

Next, add the dry ingredient mixture and beat until combined. Then, add the old-fashioned oats and stir until evenly distributed throughout the lactation cookie dough.

Add Mix-Ins

I chose to use chocolate chips in this batch of lactation cookies, however there are many different possibilities for mix-ins! Here are a few: 

• Baking chips. dark or milk chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon chips, etc. 
• Nuts. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc. Make sure they are chopped into small pieces.
• Coconut. shredded unsweetened coconut tastes great in these breastfeeding cookies. 
• Dried fruit. Raisins, cranberries, dried cherries, etc. are all delicious in these lactation cookies. 

Portion  Lactation cookie dough and Roll

Use a 1 ½ to 2 TBS cookie scoop to measure out portions of dough, roll them into balls and place them evenly spaced out onto the prepared baking sheets. Repeat until all the dough is used.

Bake and Cool

Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are just set. Be very careful not to over bake! Let the lactation cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

I love sneaking a lactation cookie while they're still slightly warm and the chocolate chips are a little melty. 

How to store lactation cookies

Store these lactation cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. 

To freeze

You can freeze these lactation cookies in two ways. 

1. Freeze the dough. Roll the lactation cookie dough into balls and place them on a large baking sheet. Transfer to the freezer to flash-freeze. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container to freeze for up to two months. To bake, remove dough from freezer and let it come to room temperature, then bake according to the recipe instructions. 
2. Freeze baked cookies. Transfer baked and cooled cookies to an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. 

FAQs about Lactation Cookies

Galactagogues: Foods that help increase milk supply

The word galactagogue is derived from the greek words "galacto" which means milk, and "agogue" which means something that stimulates a flow. Many galactagogues are rich in phytoestrogen (plant based estrogen), which can cause an increased production of prolactin - the hormone responsible for breast-milk production. Higher prolactin levels in a mother's body result in increased milk production.

In this recipe: 

• Oats are rich in phytoestrogens and fiber which help release prolactin and increase milk production. Other recipes with oats include these healthy breakfast bars, peanut butter banana baked oatmeal and  these banana oatmeal pancakes!
• Brewer's Yeast contains protein, iron and phytoestrogens, a nutritional powerhouse for nursing moms. 
• Ground Flaxseed rich in phytoestrogens, protein, and healthy fats. Try these whole wheat pancakes and these breakfast bars for more ways to use flaxseed
• Whole wheat flour. Grains have anti-inflammatory properties and contain fiber and other nutrients that help support lactation. Whole grains are rich in beta-glucan, which stimulates the production of prolactin. Also try this honey whole wheat bread, healthy pumpkin muffins, and whole wheat pizza dough. 
• Wheat Germ. 
• Nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, etc.) deliver a healthy dose of fats, protein, iron, calcium and magnesium. All of which are beneficial to nursing mothers. You can replace the chocolate chips with chopped nuts for added benefits!  

Other galactagogues

• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, etc.). Loaded with calcium and phytoestrogens - they are a must for new moms.  I drink a green smoothie every morning to get in my greens, also try these kale chips and this sausage kale soup. 
• Vegetables such as yams, sweet potatoes, beets and carrots. Yams are the superfood of fertility. I've been eating them almost daily since we were struggling to get pregnant with our first baby 10 years ago. They are high in many nutrients that support women's health including beta carotene, iron, and minerals. Try this beet smoothie, roasted beets, roasted carrots, sweet potato tacos and roasted sweet potatoes and apples. 
• Chickpeas have been used to increase milk supply for ages. Loaded with protein, plant estrogens, fiber, and so many other nutrients.  Try these crunchy roasted chickpeas, healthy peanut butter blondies (made with chickpeas), and this healthy baked falafel!
• Barley is on just about every list of milk-producing foods for it's high levels of phytoestrogens and fiber. 

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