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Lactation Cookies

Lactation Cookies 1

Oh, hi!

I feel like I am so disconnected from the rest of the world post-baby. I hardly know what day it is. But today, I am showered, have make-up on, and am not wearing sweats and a robe. I’ve been productive – made dinner for tomorrow night, grocery shopped (with baby, Mr. P, and my parents), and even played tennis with Lily in the driveway. It’s amazing how much easier it is to care for a baby with a few extra sets of hands 😉 Today was especially glorious since Mr. P turned off the baby monitor at 8:30am and I got to sleep until…9:30am! Much needed after some rough patches last night.

Since my parents are here, I even took it upon myself to invite ourselves over to our friend’s house. Since I offered to bring pizza, it was a sure bet and I think we all enjoyed the adult interaction. And baby talk. Now that we’re parents, we can talk endlessly with other parents on thrilling topics such as sleep, potty training, and my most recent life challenge: breastfeeding.

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When Miss Shea was born on a Monday night, she was 8 lbs 10 oz. Later that week on Friday, she was down to 7 lbs 12 oz (10% loss). Our pediatrician was concerned as this was at the upper end of “normal” and “safe” and she sent us home with instructions to pump after breastfeeding and to supplement with Similac supplemental formula (meant to compliment breastfeeding, not replace). Last weekend was a long (and painful) weekend spent nursing, pumping, having a 30 minute reprieve and repeating. Emotionally and physically, I had hit a low. It was a lot to handle for me…and the baby…and everyone I came into contact with. A miserable mom is no good thing for anyone.

The good news is that on Monday, at her weight re-check, Shea had gained 6 ounces over the weekend! My milk had come in, albeit slowly, and we seemed to have turned the corner with breastfeeding. However, I still requested to see the out-patient lactation consultant and Shea and I met with her Tuesday morning. We were able to identify a “lazy latch” which really just requires me to bring her to my breast more aggressively. We’re learning our groove.

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Because of some struggles at the start, 12 day old Shea has breastfed (and loves it), received breast milk from the bottle (pretty okay with this), and supplemental formula (she loves this, too). In other words, she’s not a picky eater! While it was never my intention to introduce formula of any kind, I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that it was needed and that it may be needed moving forward if my supply cannot keep up with her demands, despite my efforts.

In order to increase my supply, I have done a few things. I got a supplement to help my supply (not sure if it’s working just yet), I’ve increased my water consumption drastically, and I’ve made lactation cookies! I’m enjoying 2 cookies a day and I can honestly say they’ve been one of the most enjoyable things about breastfeeding 😉 See my notes below on enjoying these without the lactation benefits, too!

Lactation Cookies 4

Lactation Cookies
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 3½ dozen cookies
 
Ingredients
  • 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup brewer's yeast
  • 1 Tbsp wheat germ
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cream of tartar
  • 2½ cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, if desired, and set aside.
  2. Mix flaxseed with water in small bowl and let soak for 5 minutes.
  3. Beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract; beat to incorporate, scraping down the sides as needed. Mix in the flaxseed mixture.
  4. In a separate large bowl, whisk together flour, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar; add to butter mixture and mix until just combined. Fold oats and chocolate chips into the dough.
  5. Drop walnut-sized dough balls and place 2 inches apart onto a baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are slightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
To make these as an oatmeal cookie without lactation perks, omit the brewer's yeast and increase the wheat germ to 3 tablespoons.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 cookie Calories: 159 Fat: 7.5 Carbohydrates: 21.4 Sugar: 8.3 Sodium: 72 Fiber: 0.8 Protein: 2.6 Cholesterol: 31

 Can the sun come out to play in Michigan?

Be well,

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16 Comments

  1. Pingback: Lactation Cookies
  2. Chrissy M.
    October 19, 2014 / 11:13 am

    Glad to hear things are going better with breastfeeding! It’s SO challenging, but it gets easier as time goes on. You’re doing great, Mama!

  3. Alison Duxbury-Shadwick
    October 19, 2014 / 10:58 pm

    I loved those cookies and they do work! I told my husband if he ate them he would start to lactate, so I got them all to myself 🙂
    Hang in there, it can be hard but you will get a groove.

    • Biz
      October 20, 2014 / 4:16 pm

      Sorry, I just had to say hello to Alison! Miss your blog! Your baby has to be almost two now??!! Hugs!

  4. Catherine
    October 20, 2014 / 11:14 am

    I used fenugreek to increase my milk supply and it worked great! I got it at GNC. It will make you smell like maple syrup, which your husband may or may not like! But I went from producing 4oz. total to 6oz. per side and this is also safe for baby!

  5. Biz
    October 20, 2014 / 4:15 pm

    Yep, Hannah was a lazy latcher too – and after a week I just gave up and bottle fed her – then I could actually tell how much she was eating and she was happy because she was full!

    And for the record, Hannah only missed 5 days of school in Kindergarten when she got the chicken pox, but other than that, from first grade through college, she never missed a single school day for being sick!

  6. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
    October 21, 2014 / 11:48 am

    Thanks for the recipe! A friend of mine just gave birth and is having trouble producing enough milk…I’ll have to surprise her with a batch of these! Congratulations on your little girl, btw. She’s just GORGEOUS!

  7. Leslie
    October 21, 2014 / 1:14 pm

    I loved these when I was nursing. I would actually add craisans, nuts to them and baked in a sheet pan. I would cut and eat as breakfast cookie/bar.

  8. massage tool deep pressure
    October 22, 2014 / 11:47 am

    What a flabour it is! It’s SO challenging, but it getseasier as time goes on.Thanks for the recipe!I loved those cookies and they do work!

  9. Ari
    November 10, 2014 / 4:08 pm

    Definitely saving this recipe! From one mom to the next, I went through the exact same thing: I always assumed I would nurse exclusively, and when my milk supply couldn’t keep up with my little one’s needs, I was advised to introduce formula. It’s not easy changing your perspective, but at the end of the day as long as our children are fed and loved, they’re no worse for wear. I tried every supplement in the book to help increase supply. The only thing that resulted in significant changes was domperidone. Hope you and sweet Shea find your groove!

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  12. Courtney
    March 24, 2015 / 4:02 pm

    I’m making these today!!! Baby Ellie is 20 days old and still in the NICU. Gotta keep pumping that liquid gold to keep her growing strong! I’m excited to try your recipe.

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      March 25, 2015 / 10:05 pm

      Oh, honey! I am so sorry to hear that…I had no idea. Sending baby Ellie all my positive thoughts and best wishes…and you, too, mama! It is liquid gold, keep at it! Big hugs! Please keep me posted, if you think of it – I’ll be thinking of you.

  13. Kristy
    May 6, 2015 / 12:16 am

    I love lactation cookies. Have you tried lactation granola bars? They are awesome too. I recommend Oat Mama bars.

  14. Patrick
    June 8, 2015 / 5:22 pm

    Great recipe, I’ve been recently considering adding food recipes on my website as well.

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