OK, ready for some TMI?
I'm on my period. And every time Aunt Flo comes, my breastmilk supply drops. Only for the first couple of days, but it's consistent.
And the way I like to boost my supply? Lactation cookies.
Not a breastfeeding mom? No worries, lactation cookies are delicious for everyone!
And no, if you were wondering, these cookies aren't going to magically make your non-functioning (i.e., male) nipples start lactating. Men, that doesn't mean
What makes these cookies different from regular cookies are the galactagogues. Galactagogues are substances that promote breastmilk production.
My lactation cookies contain three galactagogues: chickpeas, oats, and brewer's yeast. Oats and brewer's yeast are more commonly known to support milk production, but chickpeas are also a great option for nursing moms!
Since Hugo started sleeping through the night, I started pumping once a day before I go to sleep. When Aunt Flo's visiting, I average about 1.5oz (45ml) in about 10 minutes of pumping.
But eating a couple of these cookies and I can pump about 2.5oz (74ml)!
I haven't tested it on other mamas, so I can't speak for anyone other than myself, but it definitely works for me!
But I mean really... any excuse to eat cookies, right?
These lactation cookies aren't sweet. I made them that way so I don't feel an ounce of guilt eating 3 or 4 (more like 8). They taste healthy. But in a good way.
They also don't spread out and definitely aren't your stereotypical soft baked cookies with a fudgy center.
If you do want them sweeter, you can double the maple syrup or add a banana. That would help them spread out as well. You can also switch out the cranberries for chocolate chips!
Tristan loved these cookies, and now thinks I should continue to eat galactagogues and pump to keep up my milk supply even after Hugo weans off the breast, so we can have an infinite supply of milk.
Pretty sure he has me mistaken for a cow...
Not feeling these lactation cookies? Try my current favorite chocolate chip cookies, or my oatmeal cookie sandwiches (my favorite before going gluten-free!).
Breastfeeding mamas, do you use anything to boost your milk supply?
Lactation Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed well Use a 15oz can
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup maple syrup can increase to ½ cup/156g for a sweeter cookie
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons light olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons flaxseeds, ground
- 2 tablespoons brewer's yeast
- 3 tablespoons water
- ½ cup dried cranberries or chocolate chips
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 340°F/170°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
- In a blender or food processor, add all the ingredients except the cranberries and almonds, and process until smooth. Stir in the cranberries and almonds.
- Drop the dough onto the parchment paper, about a tablespoon each. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Cool completely before enjoying.
Nutrition
Balvinder says
What an innovative and nutritious way to make cookies. I use all the above ingredients in my cooking but have never thought of making cookies out of them
Ai says
Hi Neetu! I would've never thought to use them in baking cookies either, had I not been breastfeeding. My baby is definitely pushing me to be more creative 😉
Life Diet Health says
Well Ai, I must admit I have never come across the word 'galactagogues' before but now I know what it means I will try and use it next time I'm asked for that type of advice! These cookies look delicious - lactating or not (although I'd swap the cranberries for apricots- another galactagogue 😛 )! Thanks for linking up and sharing these at Fiesta Friday.
Ai says
Oh, I didn't know apricots were galactagogues! Good to know! I wonder if dried apricots would be as effective as fresh🤔(we don't get fresh ones where I live). Thanks for the tip Laurena!
Angie | Fiesta Friday says
What, lactation cookies?! I think this is the beginning of a successful business, Ai. I can just see it. Ai’s lactation cookies, sold in catalogs, offered at Etsy, amazon.com etc. You should do it!
Ai says
Thanks Angie! Unfortunately, I didn't invent lactation cookies... although I haven't seen many recipes with chickpeas in them. Potential business? haha.
I actually had to look up on Etsy to see if people really sold cookies on there lol. I had no idea you could sell food on Etsy! What?!