Improves health, controls constipation, helps with postpartum depression and completely harmless are some of the health benefits of lactation cookies.

Every new mother knows that breastfeeding is strongly recommended for the first six months for babies. Breastfeeding ensures that a newborn gets all the necessary nutrients and antibodies in the first few months of his birth. The more you nurse your baby, the more the milk is produced. However, the quantity of milk produced varies and often it may not be enough for a full feeding. Hence, one of the most popular methods used by new mothers to increase their milk supply is the consumption of lactation cookies. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of lactation cookies and few recipes of lactation cookies that you can easily make at home. Read on to know more.

Lactation Cookies: Benefits and Recipes for New Moms

Lactation cookies are snacks which are made using galactagogues or foods that are believed to improve breast milk production. They have been used for a while, but have gained popularity over the past few years. These cookies are quite healthy and do provide a vast variety of nutritional benefits required by nursing mothers.

Milk boosting ingredients found in lactation cookies

Oats

Oats are nutritious foods that offer high amounts of healthy carbohydrates, proteins, fibre, vitamins and so on. Compounds like saponins, which stimulate the immune system and raise prolactin levels in the body, are said to boost milk synthesis. Their carb and fibre content regulates sugar absorption in the body, preventing blood sugar spikes.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds are packed with healthy phytoestrogens, which buffer the oestrogen in your body. This, in turn, controls prolactin, and thereby milk production. It is also thought to increase perspiration, which activates the letdown reflex leading to release of milk.

Flaxseed

Flaxseeds are rich in healthy fats, such as the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These nutrients improve cardiovascular health and the immune system. They are also known to boost the synthesis of breast milk. Flaxseeds also contain fibre, vitamin B, vitamin E, potassium, and calcium, which make them an important part of a balanced diet.

Brewer’s yeast

Brewer’s yeast is used in various foods like bread, dosa, cakes, and so on. It is rich in vitamin B-complex, which helps increase the milk production as they are crucial in cellular metabolism. Yeast is also packed with protein and micronutrients like selenium and chromium.

Benefits of lactation cookies for new moms

Aside from boosting breast milk production, here are a few important benefits of lactation cookies for nursing mothers:

Improves health

The ingredients in lactation cookies are rich in proteins, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, phytohormones, antioxidants and a host of other powerful nutrients required by the body for the efficient functioning of metabolic processes.

Controls constipation

Oats are filled with large amounts of dietary fibre or roughage (especially in the form of beta-glucans). This eases the postpartum difficulty of bowel movements and constipation. This can also help in reducing some of your pregnancy weight.

Helps with postpartum depression

The combination of nutrients found in flaxseed and brewer’s yeast can help combat postpartum depression, better known as the baby blues. In any case, the small amounts of sugar in lactation cookies can certainly improve your mood.

Completely harmless

Lactation cookies are not harmful in any way, because their ingredients are totally natural. A few minor complications might be a gas problem from the oatmeal or an increase in weight if you eat too many cookies.

Nutritious snacks

Lactation cookies are tasty as well as healthy. As you can make them at home by yourself, you can control the tastes, textures, and flavors to suit your preference. They serve as excellent snacks you can munch on if you’re feeling hungry.

Lactation cookies recipes

Below is a list of healthy and delicious lactation cookie recipes you can make at home.

Biscuit bites

Ingredients

• Two tbsp peanut butter
• Two tbsp honey
• Two tbsp powdered flaxseed
• Half cup grated coconut
• One cup rolled oats
• One tsp Brewer’s Yeast
• One tbsp fenugreek powder
• Few drops Vanilla essence
• Two tbsp chocolate chips

Preparation

• Mix yeast, chocolate chips, flaxseed, coconut, fenugreek and oatmeal together in a blender.
• Then add honey, vanilla essence, and peanut butter and continue blending until smooth.
• Refrigerate the mixture for around an hour.
• Take it out and roll it into small discs.
• The cookies are ready to eat.
• As these cookies include honey, it is best to consult with your healthcare provider before taking these, as honey is not recommended for babies under 1 years of age. Although you are not directly giving it to the baby, it still finds its way, so be careful.

No sugar cookies

Ingredients

• Two tbsp Brewer’s Yeast
• One banana
• One whisked egg
• Two tbsp coconut oil
• Pinch of baking soda
• Two cups rolled oats
• Three tbsp crushed nuts of your choice
• Two tbsp fenugreek powder
• One tsp baking powder
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Salt to taste

Preparation

• Mix oats, baking soda, fenugreek, cinnamon, baking powder, yeast, salt, and nuts together in a bowl.
• Blend together banana, eggs, and coconut oil until you get a smooth texture.
• Mix the dry and wet ingredients with your hands.
• Pour around two tbsp worth of the mixture onto a wax paper or cookie sheet and press to form a small disc.
• Bake in a preheated oven for around fifteen minutes, and let them cool before eating.

Raisin berry cookies

Ingredients

• Few drops of vanilla essence
• Two tbsp cocoa powder
• Four tbsp organic coconut oil
• Half cup milk
• Three cups oatmeal
• Four tbsp peanut butter
• One tsp flaxseed
• Half cup assorted raisins and berries
• Half tsp fenugreek powder
• One cup sweetener, preferably cane sugar
• Half tsp salt

Preparation

• Mix milk, coconut oil, sugar, and cocoa together and allow the mixture to cook in a saucepan for a minute.
• Add the remaining ingredients and mix well until you get a thick paste.
• Pour small blobs of the mixture onto cookie paper, press into a disc and allow them to set.

If you are facing problems in breast milk production, there could be several reasons, ranging from inadequate latching to lack of proper feeding schedule. If you are facing any problem in breastfeeding your baby, ask your doctor for advice. If your doctor suspects you might be facing any complications, he/she will refer you to lactation consultants who are trained to handle this problem with ease and empathy.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586661/

https://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(15)31026-1/fulltext