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Today, I want to share a wonderful recipe for lactation cookies that have been a lifesaver for many of my clients after giving birth. But before we dive into the recipe, let me tell you a personal story about how these cookies came to the rescue in a time of need.

A Personal Journey

After giving birth to my daughter, I faced a unique challenge. I was contracted to photograph a wedding out of state just 8 weeks after her arrival. The combination of traveling and spending 8 hours at the wedding led to a significant decrease in my milk supply (apologies if it's too much information!). I was desperate to find a solution to boost my supply and continue breastfeeding.

That's when I discovered lactation cookies. These little treats not only helped me recover my milk supply but also increased it beyond what I needed. The experience was so remarkable that I decided to bake a batch before the arrival of my second child, and the results were equally impressive. With every feeding, I indulged in two of these cookies, and I believe they played a significant role in maintaining my milk supply, especially during long photoshoots.

The Lactation Cookie Recipe

Now, let's get to the heart of the matter—the lactation cookie recipe that can work wonders for nursing mothers. Depending on your dietary needs and preferences, you can make some ingredient swaps, like removing the chocolate for fewer calories. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

The last thing you want to be doing with a new baby or about to have a new baby is grocery shopping all over town. My advice: get your staple grocery items and then order the more difficult items for delivery to your door! I have included the links below for the more challenging items to find.

4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
5 1/4 cups oats
3 teaspoons baking soda
3 teaspoons salt
2 1/4 cups Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
1 1/2 cups butter, softened (I personally found better success with using Coconut Oil Instead)
3 cups milled flax
9 tablespoons brewer's yeast
1 cup water
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla
6 large eggs
6 cups (36oz) chocolate chips
3 cups chopped nuts of your choice

Instructions:

Start by combining the whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, brewer's yeast, milled flax, and water until you achieve a creamy consistency.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well.
Stir in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips. Slowly add the oats while mixing.
Place balls of dough onto a greased baking sheet. Lightly press down each ball with a fork.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 12 minutes.
Allow the cookies to cool before indulging.
Feel free to store in the freezer to use for months!

A Delicious Solution

Not only are these lactation cookies incredibly effective in boosting milk supply, but they are also absolutely delicious. In fact, my husband loved them so much that he would sneak a few from the freezer! And let's be real, in those early days of new motherhood, sometimes following the recipe to the letter is less important than getting those cookies in the oven.

So, if you're a breastfeeding mom looking for a tasty way to boost your milk supply, give these lactation cookies a try. They're not just a solution; they're a delightful treat that can make your breastfeeding journey a little bit sweeter. Enjoy every bite, and may your milk supply thrive!

🍪🥛💕

XoXo -Erika

*Not everyone’s experiences will be the same but I have received rave reviews for these cookies and I hope they work wonders for you too!!