When R was about three months old, I caught a really bad cold. It was the whole nine yards, a runny nose, bad cough, and just generally feeling lousy. I was taking Robitussin and sucking down cough drops.
I knew plain Robitussin was safe while breastfeeding so when my milk supply suddenly dropped way down I panicked. When I say dropped, I mean only getting an ounce when I pumped.
I had been so happy that I was able to breastfeed and I didn’t want it to be over so quickly. I had to find a way to increase my supply, but the only problem is I don’t like the taste of black licorice (Mother’s Milk was out) and Fenugreek seemed to make R fussy.
Then, a friend told me about lactation cookies. I decided to give it a shot, and the great news is — it works! Within a day my milk supply had increased again. I was so excited!
The fabulous thing is that not only do these cookies increase your milk supply, but they also taste great and are good for you too. The recipe below includes chocolate chips, but if you aren’t a chocolate fan, you can always substitute the chocolate chips for raisins.
When I made these cookies, I made them really thick so I was only able to get about a dozen and a half. If you make smaller cookies (think regular chocolate chip cookies) this recipe can yield about four dozen.
Also, for the record, if you ever get a cold while you are breastfeeding stay away from cough drops with menthol. I didn’t realize at the time, but menthol will reduce milk supply. That combined with using the Robitussin, it began to dry up my milk!
Baking Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies
Ingredients:
1 C butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
4 T water
2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)
2 large eggs
1 t vanilla
2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
3 C thick cut oats/old fashioned oats
1/2 bag chocolate chips
2 T Brewers Yeast
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add eggs.
- Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.
- Beat until well blended and mixture turns a pale yellow.
- Mix dry ingredients, except oats and chocolate chips.
- Add butter mix to dry ingredients.
- Stir in the oats and then the chocolate chips.
- Drop on ungreased or parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 12 minutes.
I am an ob nurse and counsel women on decreased milk supply frequently. I have never heard of these cookies. Can you tell me what your source is? I would like to do a little reading regarding the science involved in this as it is new to me.
Many lactation consultants and blogs advise eating oatmeal (and brewers years) to increase milk supply. Lelesh legue (sp?) can give you loads of resourses. I have always found oatmeal to work fantastically for me for supply (as did my sister) and had many mommy-friends tell me it worked great for them too!