Major Milk Makin' Cookies

I was telling you the other day that I was having issues with milk production and trying everything possible to increase it. I am happy to report that I got over 4 oz (total) when I pumped last tonight! I can't say what worked exactly, but it can't hurt to try it all. I pump after he breastfeeds during all the day time feedings, I am trying to drink more water, trying to eat more (to get enough calories), and have oatmeal cookies. I have heard about milk makers cookies, but at $50 per month that is way out of my price range. I sought out to find a recipe that had similar ingredients. I found this info. and cookies from the Peaceful Parenting Blog. Now these cookies aren't just plain oatmeal cookies they have some key ingredients.

Oats (or oatmeal) are key in boosting milk supply because of the iron they contain that nursing moms are frequently in need of. Oats are also filling, dense with healthy calories - and nursing moms need calories! Make sure it's not instant oats.

These are the ones I got from vitamin world. Make sure the flax is milled.

Brewer's yeast is an ingredient that has also long been touted to increase milk supply (although contested by some). Brewer's yeast is one of the best natural sources of B vitamins, which are essential to overall health of a nursing mom (and any woman). 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 (or other things you bake).

Flax Seed

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 galactagogue 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).

Major Milk Makin' CookiesRecipe by Kathleen MajorDetailed recipe with photos found here

1 1/2 c. flour (they suggest whole wheat flour, but I didn't have any)
1 3/4 c. oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 c. almond butter or peanut butter (I used 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 (I left the nuts out)

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. I had more dough left than what I made above so it makes prob. close to 3 dozen. I have been keeping them in the freezer and just microwaving them when I want them. 

Wish I had a better final picture, I got hungry.

You can't taste the flax or brewers yeast, it tastes like an oatmeal rasin choc. chip cookie that is very filling. I eat approx.3-4 per day, for the baby of course :) Oh, and you won't produce milk if you aren't breastfeeding. I might have told David that he would so he didn't eat my cookies though, shh.