Lactation cookies are a great way to increase your milk supply to make sure that you have plenty of milk to build a breastmilk supply in your freezer or simply feed your baby.
Some are designed to work within one day while others will gradually build your milk supply over time to give you more milk on a consistent basis.
In this article
What Are Lactation Cookies?
Lactation cookies are nutrient-dense cookies that are packed with ingredients to help increase your milk supply. Typically, these are natural ingredients that are sold over the counter.
Lactation cookies are typically preferred over supplements because they contain multiple ingredients to help increase your supply of breast milk.
Lactation cookies are available in a variety of brands, with various ingredients and even in different flavors.
Regardless of your budget, you can find something that will suit your needs. It is important that you pay attention to the ingredients in lactation cookies.
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Common Ingredients
Different lactation cookies often have different ingredients. Instead of one main ingredient, they often combine several herbal supplements or foods that are known to increase milk supply. These are the most common ingredients you’ll find on the label.
Oats
Several moms have reported that oats increase their milk supply. This is thought to be because oats, including oatmeal and oatmeal cookies, are packed with iron. Low iron levels often contribute to a low milk supply.
Fennel
Fennel is a natural remedy that can give your milk supply the boost it needs. Fennel is thought to do this because it helps elevate levels of prolactin, a hormone that helps your body produce more milk. According to this study, it can be rather effective.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is one of the main ingredients that you’ll find in lactation cookies and supplements. This is a type of seed.
Low dosages of fenugreek often have no impact on breastfeeding mothers. Women that take less than 3500 mg of fenugreek often see no change in their breastmilk supply.
Flax Seeds
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Flaxseeds are known for their estrogenic properties. These properties help breastfeeding mothers produce more milk. When making cookies, most moms prefer to use flaxseed oil instead of whole flaxseeds.
Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s Yeast is another popular option for breastfeeding mamas that would like to increase their milk supply. It’s recommended that moms do not consume more than three tablespoons of this per day.
Some moms report that they suffered from migraines while taking Brewer’s Yeast. Other moms have reported that it made their babies gassy or fussy.
How To Make Your Own Lactation Cookies
Some moms prefer to simply buy lactation cookies. While this is easier, it can be more cost-effective to make your own lactation cookies. Making oatmeal cookies and adding some fennel is the easiest way to make your own lactation cookies.
However, there are plenty of other recipes that include a variety of these ingredients to give you as much help as you can get. Check out this website for some great recipes for lactation cookies.
Everything You Need To Know About Taking Lactation Cookies
Lactation cookies are great for a healthy snack. There are plenty of delicious products both on the market and cookies that you can make at home. However, there are a few other things that you need to know before you start taking lactation cookies.
When To Eat Lactation Cookies
Most moms wonder when the best time to eat lactation cookies is. This depends on your schedule. Most lactation cookies have plenty of oats, so you’ll notice a boost in your supply the same day.
However, if you eat the cookie right after feeding your baby, you can feel engorged. Take your first lactation cookie of the day 2 hours before feeding your baby or your pumping session. Take another one at night 2 hours before your last feeding or pumping session.
When To Start Eating Lactation Cookies
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Some people start eating lactation cookies soon after giving birth. The theory is that you can always stop taking them if you have too much milk.
However, if you wait until you need to increase your milk supply to take them you will have to wait on them to kick in. It’s simply believed that prevention is better in this scenario.
I agree. Lactation cookies, and the ingredients in them, will not harm you. They do not cause such a significant increase in milk supply that you’re going to feel like your breasts will explode.
If you find that you are producing too much milk, simply quit taking them.
How Long Do Lactation Cookies Take To Work?
How long your lactation cookies take to work often depends on the ingredients. Keep these things in mind to determine how long your lactation cookies are going to take to work:
- Oats are known to increase milk supply in 1-2 hours. However, the effects do not last all day.
- Fennel does not instantly boost your milk supply. It can take 2-3 days before you see the increase that you are looking for.
- Fenugreek results often vary. Most mothers that take fenugreek see results in 2-3 days. However, some moms report not noticing a change until two weeks after taking the supplement.
- Flaxseeds typically produce results within one week.
- Brewer’s Yeast will help you see results in 1.2 days.
How Many Lactation Cookies Should I Eat A Day?
Most moms start with one lactation cookie at the beginning of the day. Then, if you would like you can eat another one. However, there are some moms that eat them throughout the day as a snack too.
Lactation cookies help your body by giving it the vitamins and nutrients that it needs as well as by stimulating the hormones that make your body produce milk. Eating a handful a day is not going to hurt you provided they don’t contain Brewer’s Yeast.
When determining how many lactation cookies to eat, first take a look at the ingredient list. If you can safely eat multiple lactation cookies per day, feel free to do so.
If you want to remain cautious, there is nothing wrong with that either. Eat one cookie a day, increasing this number if necessary. That will help you determine what is right for you and your body.
How Often Do You Eat Lactation Cookies?
You need to eat lactation cookies daily. Eating them once will not be enough to have the long-term impact that you want.
Most moms continue to eat them throughout the course of the day for the entire time that they are breastfeeding to make sure that they have a healthy supply of their milk.
In Conclusion
Lactation cookies are a great way to boost your milk supply as long as you take them daily. They are also healthy and are packed with nutritious ingredients to guarantee that you get all of the vitamins that you need.
Make sure that you check the ingredient list if you’re not making your own at home. Then, enjoy your cookies twice a day to have a larger milk supply.
