Homemade lactation cookies! And before you (or more likely, your partner, brother or Dad freaks out), no these are not made from boobie milk. They simply contain ingredients which can support and promote milk supply.

When you have a newborn in the house, it’s high likely that you’re in some form of pain or discomfort, a little (or a lot) sleep deprived, not 100% sure of what day it is, and probably haven’t had a chance to brush your hair yet (and it may stay that way until tonight’s shower).

Breast feeding and raising babies can take A LOT out of any new parent, but when a woman is breastfeeding there is an increase in her daily energy requirements. It is hard to define set energy requirements as there are so many individual factors; how often are you feeding your baby, what are your activity levels, any pre-existing medical conditions, height, age, diet and so on, but generally speaking, when breast feeding there is an increased need of approximately 2000-3000kj/ day (about 500 – 700 calories per day) - no wonder you’re starving in the middle of the night (or all the time).

No doubt you’ve heard of lactation cookies. These are a form of food that contain lactogenic properties, meaning they can help to boost and support your breast milk supply. Brewers yeast and oats are the common ‘go-to’, but foods like carrots, hummus, salmon and brown rice also get a gold star in this area.

Here is a simple and yummy boobie milk biscuit recipe to help support your breastfeeding journey, ease those late night/early morning hunger pains, and can actually be enjoyed by the WHOLE family. You can reassure your main man that he won’t start leaking if he dabbles in a cookie or two, nor will your children.

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 cup coconut oil
½ cup coconut sugar
2 eggs
Splash of vanilla essence
3 tbsp flaxmeal
1-3 tsp brewers yeast (start with 1 tsp if you’re sensitive to the taste or first time trying lactation cookies.
2.5 cups oats
1 scoop vanilla vegan protein powder (optional) - replace with dash of vanilla extract.
Handful of choc chips (optional)

METHOD

Pre heat over to 180 degrees Celsius
Combine the wet ingredients together in a bowl to dissolve the sugar.
Combine all dry ingredients into a separate bowl, then add in wet ingredients
Stir until the mixture is combined and the texture can be shaped into balls. If your mixture is too runny add a small amount of oats or flaxmeal until it holds together. If it is too dry and a little crumbly, slowly add more coconut oil until the mixture holds together.
Using a tablespoon scoop small amounts from the bowl and shape into balls using your hands
Place these onto a lined baking tray
Once you have all the mixture on the baking tray, using your fingers, spoon or fork, gently press down on each cookie ball to flatten them
Place in the over for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown
Store in the fridge (up to one week), or place in the freezer and grab small batches out to increase their shelf life.

Stress and getting enough sleep are just as important as nutrition in the post natal journey, so be sure to outsource things to family or friends, and if you can - sleep when that beautiful babe does!

If you’re keen to know more about nutrition to support lactation and postnatal recovery and safe return to exercise be sure to check out my complete Post Natal eBook - Returning to Exercise & Nutrition for Post Natal Recovery HERE.

Let me know or give me a tag if you give this recipe a go!

Enjoy!

Brooke x