This cookie recipe, by Kathleen Major, was recently published in the doulaC.A.R.E. newsletter. I thought some of you might want to give it a try. Delicious and nutritious… whether you’re breastfeeding or not! Check out the info below the recipe on how some of the key ingredients can help with lactation. If you have other recipes that contain these or other known galactagogues, feel free to share them in the comments!

1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 3/4 c. oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 c. almond butter or peanut butter
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. flax
3 T brewer’s yeast
1/3 c. water
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2 c. (12oz) chocolate chips
1 c. chopped nuts of your choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.
In a large bowl, beat almond butter, butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, brewer’s yeast, flax and water until creamy.
Mix in eggs.
Gradually beat in flour mixture.
Mix in nuts and chocolate chips.
Add oats slowly, mixing along the way.
Place balls of dough onto greased baking sheets or baking stones.

Press down each ball lightly with a fork.

Bake 12 minutes.

Oats are key in boosting milk supply because of the iron they contain that nursing moms need. Oats are also filling, dense with healthy calories and a great source of fiber.
Brewer’s yeast is an ingredient that has also long been thought to increase milk supply. Brewer’s yeast is one of the best natural sources of B vitamins, which are essential to overall health of a nursing mom. Even if milk supply were not impacted by brewer’s yeast, the boost of energy (and increased sugar metabolism) that comes from brewer’s yeast consumption is worth including it in lactation cookies.
The oil from flax seed is considered by many to be a galactagogue (substance that improves lactation). It is also a great form of fiber. And, while it is again debated among those who believe in flax’s galactagogic properties or not, one thing is certain: flax is power packed with omega-3 (essential fatty acids) that are absolutely crucial to a nursing mom’s diet (as well as baby’s diet, and all human health in general). Human milk is super charged with heavy amounts of omega-3 because the brain is dependent on these fatty acids. It is important that a mother not be deficient in omega-3 and risk her baby not getting enough for optimal health, development, and wellbeing. These fatty acids also boost brain function, memory, joint lubrication, and help to regulate hormones and decrease postpartum depression.