Do lactation cookies work? Moms say yes, and here’s my super-yummy recipe

As with so many breastfeeding support tools and tricks, the evidence for and against lactation cookies is pretty wide-ranging. In a clinical setting, you won’t see much. 

But, anecdotally, thousands of moms and nutritional practitioners swear by lactation cookies – and key ingredients like brewer’s yeast, oats and flax seed – to boost milk production. 

I am not a nutritionist. I am, however, a mom of two breastfed babies. And while I’d love to see some striking evidence for the widespread issue of lactation cookies to all new mamas, the reason I bake them – for me and my mom friends – is that they easily deliver so much goodness, at a time when my body needs it most. 

Do lactation cookies work? I have no idea. What I do know is that when I’m depleted, my milk production lessens. When I prioritize everything over my own nourishment and intake, I simply don’t have as much to give – whether it’s milk, energy or both. 

The ingredients you usually find in these yummy quick- bite cookies are nourishing, nutrient-dense and provide the ideal snack when juggling many varied needs and demands. 

Let’s dig into the superstar galactagogues – foods and ingredients thought to boost breast milk production – you’ll often find in a lactation cookie recipe, baking mix or store-bought snack. 

Superstar galactagogues

These are the galactagogues we’ve included in our lactation cookies recipe (keep reading to find it!) There are more – garlic, for example, is highly recommended and so is ashwagandha and dark leafy greens, to name just a few. 

Make a start with these, and do a little research on more savory galactagogues you could build into your meals and groceries list. 

Fennel seeds

These tiny seeds contain phytoestrogens, which mimic estrogen and, it’s believed, help increase milk production. Rich in vitamins and minerals, fennel seeds also support your overall health (just the ticket for a nursing mama), making them a popular natural remedy for boosting milk supply. 

You can add fennel seeds as a subtle spice in cooking, take them as a supplement, or brew them in a tea – many store-bought teas include them. 

Flaxseed

Known for being nutrient-dense, flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and again, phytoestrogens, which many say help stimulate lactation. 

Incorporating flax seeds into the diet, whether ground into smoothies, sprinkled over cereals, or added to bakes like these lactation cookies, is super-easy. Plus, their additional health benefits, including improved digestion and heart health, make flax seeds a no-brainer for including in your everyday eats, whatever your nursing goals. 

Brewer’s yeast

This nutrient-rich supplement is packed with B vitamins, protein, iron, and chromium, all of which support overall health and energy levels. Brewer’s yeast is believed to stimulate lactation through its high levels of phytoestrogens and other beneficial compounds. 

I bought a tub of this stuff during my second postpartum and still have lots on-hand for breastfeeding friends with new babies. 

Oats

We love a good store cupboard standby, and oats really fill that role. Rich in iron, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, oats support overall health and nourishment, helping to support lactation. They are also a good source of beta-glucan, a type of fiber that can stimulate the production of prolactin, a hormone crucial for milk production. 

Easy to incorporate into the diet through oatmeal, granola, or home baking, oats are a nutritious and effective way to replenish your body, energy and breastfeeding.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is maybe the best-known natural galactagogue, and widely celebrated for its ability to enhance milk production in breastfeeding mothers. 

These seeds are rich in phytoestrogens and compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen, which can help stimulate lactation. You can get your fenugreek in various forms, including capsules, teas, or as a spice in cooking, making it a versatile addition to your postpartum diet. 

Many women report an increase in milk supply within a few days of incorporating fenugreek, making it a popular natural support for boosting breastfeeding success.

So, those are the galactagogues to know, when deciding on your lactation cookies recipe. Here’s the one I used in both my pregnancies and postpartum (it’s also dairy-free, and freezes well). 

Looking for a lactation cookie baking mix? This award-winning mix by Mommy Knows Best is super-yummy, and the brand stock an impressive range of lactation support options to pick and choose from.

Dairy-free, chocolate chip lactation cookie recipe

Ingredients

3/4 cup coconut sugar

1/4 cup flaxseed meal

1 tbsp brewer’s yeast

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ginger (also a natural galactagogue!)

¼ tsp sea salt

3 scoops collagen of choice (optional, but I love this for added postpartum repletion)

1 cup nut butter of choice (I like peanut, go for your favorite) 

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

2.5 cups rolled oats

9 fenugreek capsules (I love Gaia Herbs, but pick your fave and adjust for flavor/potency)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (I love Hu) 

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 350F. Combine the sugar, flaxseed, brewer’s yeast, collagen powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt together in a bowl. 
2. Open up your fenugreek capsules, pour the contents of each into your dry ingredients mix and discard the capsule shells. Set your bowl aside.
3. Place the nut butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract and eggs in the bowl of a standing mixer and beat until creamy.
4. Slowly add in the dry ingredients, and mix until combined. Then fold in the oats and chocolate chips, and gently combine until you see the chips peeking out, but still whole.
5. Scoop your batter into tablespoon-sized balls and roll between the palms of your hands.  Flatten each round a little, and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, 1 inch apart.
6. Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes, or until golden. I like my cookies to be a little soft and squidgy still when I take them out – they’ll firm up as they cool. 

Up next: Breastfeeding and returning to work: 3 things we’ve learned, and the kit to help out