La Leche League Lactation Cookie Recipe

BellyBelly's lactation cookies recipe is not only absolutely delicious, but suitable for both pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. In fact, the whole family will love them! And oh boy, do these delicious lactation cookies work for SO MANY of our readers..

Read on to find out how the make the best lactation cookies on the internet!

Lactation cookies

So you can quickly access what you want to read the most, here's a list of what you need to know about lactation cookies:

Do lactation cookies really work?
Important note before making lactation cookies
Lactation cookies recipe
How do lactation cookies work?
How long do lactation cookies take to work?
Can children eat lactation cookies?
Lactation cookies variation ideas
Do lactation cookies work? A test!
How many lactation cookies should I eat?
Do lactation cookies make you gain weight?
Can lactation cookies cause gas?

Do lactation cookies really work?!

Yes! Lactation cookies really do work for many new mothers, according to our readers.

In a poll, approximately 90% of our forum members told us BellyBelly's recipe worked for them, increasing their milk supply. And you can see for yourself, by scrolling through the countless testimonials from BellyBelly's readers.

For example:

"My boobs are spraying like a fire hose. I'm waking up wet in the night, in a way I haven't since the early days. They are mental!" — Audax

Please be aware that of course, we can't guarantee any specific results for increased milk supply. Lactation cookies will have no impact for some mothers, who have underlying issues needing addressing.

If you're having breastmilk supply issues, please be sure to also read about common milk supply issues.

Important note before making lactation cookies

Most milk supply issues are preventable and fixable. Many are caused by an incorrect latch or scheduled feeding.

In Australia, contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association for support, or hire an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) to help diagnose what's really causing your milk supply issues. If you're in the US, contact La Leche League.

Most GPs are not trained in breastfeeding beyond a few hours of information. They cannot give you the same level of advice and support that well trained breastfeeding workers can.

Lactation cookies recipe

Prep time: Approximately 15 minutes
Oven temp: Preheat oven to 350F or 170C
Makes: Approximately 14-16 cookies, using a dessert spoon per cookie (double the recipe for more)

When making BellyBelly's lactation cookies (which we think is the best lactation cookies recipe in Australia… perhaps even the world!), please try to source organic, local ingredients wherever possible. I've tried to use healthy alternatives where I can, but bear in mind, lactation cookies need to be sweet enough to hide the very bitter taste of one of the most powerful ingredients.

If you're breastfeeding, try eating the dough as well as the cookies. It seems to be even more effective at increasing supply.

Do not eat uncooked dough if you are pregnant. There is a risk of bacterial infection from eating raw egg.

Lactation cookies ingredients

1/2 cup butter (you can use organic virgin coconut oil instead if you prefer)
3/4 cup brown sugar (if you want to reduce sugar, you could try just 1/2 cup)
1 egg (applesauce is a great substitute for egg – our fans suggest using 1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (optional, for flavour)
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
2-3 tablespoons of water (depends on how moist you prefer the cookies to be)
1 cup self raising wholemeal flour (if you have plain flour, add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for flavour)
1-2 tablespoons of brewers yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 & 1/2 cups organic oats
OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup of your favourite biscuit ingredients such as chocolate chips (see suggested list below)

Mommy Knows Best Brewers Yeast

An important note about brewers yeast

Here's a popular brand of brewer's yeast – it's IMPORTANT to get the right sort. Click here to get some delivered straight from Amazon.

Brewer's yeast is one of the most important ingredients in lactation cookies. It is not the same as bakers yeast or nutritional yeast, so don't substitute it for anything else!

This miraculous powder is quite nutrient dense. It contains protein, fiber, selenium, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, copper, vitamin B6, potassium and folate.

You can add brewer's yeast to smoothies or other foods and drinks for the same effect!

Lactation cookies recipe – method

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg and vanilla. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine the flaxseed and water, let them sit for a few minutes before adding to mix.
Add the dry ingredients (apart from the oats and your additional ingredients) and mix well again.
Stir in the oats and your additional ingredients (chocolate chips etc).
Using a dessert spoon, scoop the mixture into your hand and roll it into a ball.
Place the biscuits onto a lightly greased tray or line the tray with baking paper. Flatten them a little with your fingers or a spatula. If you like a soft centre, don't squash them down too much.
Bake the lactation cookies for around 10-12 minutes, depending on how well cooked or crunchy you like your biscuits.

"I know they worked for me, because I squirted after eating them for a bit. I hadn't done that for months!" — PumpkinZulu

How do lactation cookies work?

There are specific ingredients in lactation cookies which are said to help you produce more milk.

Galactagogues (foods that promote breastmilk production or flow) includes brewer's yeast, as well as flaxseed and oats.

This is why you must not leave out or substitute the brewers yeast when making lactation cookies.

Nutritional yeast and bakers yeast are different, and will not have the same effect.

How long do lactation cookies take to work?

Most mothers who ate BellyBelly's lactation cookies found a noticeable increase in milk supply almost immediately. However for some mothers, it may take up to 24-48 hours.

While BellyBelly's cookies are awesome, they can't fix problems needing to be addressed by a professional. See our article about common milk supply issues.

"I've only used them for about 24 hours and the milk is flowing! So happy and excited that they're working so well!" — Rika-Marie

"I personally saw results a few hours later, and by morning I was bursting, which hadn't happened since my baby was 2 & 1/2 months old!" — Kristina

Can children eat lactation cookies?

Yes! Lactation cookies are also perfectly safe for children, family and friends too.

Don't worry, it won't give them a milk supply too! Lactation requires developed milk ducts.

"I made a particularly potent batch this week. So much so, my friends having been calling me 'Wet Patches!' I haven't needed to use breast pads for a couple of months. I doubled the flaxseed meal, added cocoa and hazelnut meal – they taste like Nutella." — Audax

Variation ideas for your cookies

There are so many delicious ingredients you can add to your lactation cookies to flavour them up!

You might like to add coconut, banana, grated apple, chocolate chips, sultanas, almonds, chopped prunes or dates… the list is endless.

Our members have made variations of our recipe by using these delicious combinations:

Coconut and banana
Chocolate chips and cranberry
White chocolate chips and macadamias
Dried apricot and white chocolate
Apple cinnamon: 1 teaspoon of cinnamon instead of vanilla, 1/2 cup chopped dried apple and 1/2 cup sultanas. BellyBelly member, Audax, also added 2 tablespoons of stewed apple and found the cookies turned out lovely and moist.
For a healthier, lower carb and more fibre rich flour, use 50% or 100% coconut flour. You might need to add an extra egg. If you only have regular white flour to make lactation cookies, that's fine, but remember it's the most unhealthy flour.

Do lactation cookies work? A test!

"YES, they DO WORK! I've found them especially helpful for afternoons and evenings when my baby is cluster feeding. It feels like I'm all out of liquid gold. So, I munch a couple of bikkies and have a big drink of water. I can feel my boobies expanding with fresh milk!" — Glamourcide

As far as I'm aware, there's no official research into lactation cookies. So, a BellyBelly forum member, Pholi took it upon herself to run a little test and see if the cookies really made a difference to her milk supply.

Here are her results:

"Started eating cooked lactation cookies at a rate of approximately 2 per feed. Average 24 hour yield over 5 days was: Before: 372ml. After: 412ml. Increase of 40ml, or 11%. Stopped eating cookies for 2 days. Average 24 hour yield: 397ml. Decrease of 4%.

Started eating raw lactation cookie dough. Which, according to collective BellyBelly community wisdom, is supposed to be even more effective than cooked dough. Ate the equivalent of 2 per feed. Average 24 hour yield over 4 days: 449ml.

Increase (from cooked dough average) of 37ml, or 8%.
Increase (from no dough in the previous 2 days) of 52ml, or 13%.
Increase (from before eating any cookies or dough) of 77ml, or 20%.

Conclusion: When I ate the cookies, raw or cooked, it made a positive, measurable difference to my milk supply. But the raw dough made a bigger difference. I was certainly not leaking or spraying, or even feeling any fuller. I think that the fact that the numbers dropped when I stopped for 2 days strengthens the results."

How many lactation cookies should I eat?

Most mothers consume around 2-5 lactation cookies per day, usually before a feed. If you notice your baby is unsettled after consuming them, cut back the amount you're eating.

"I was eating 1-2 each feed, and only just cooked them so they were still quite soft. I noticed a huge difference when I ate them, and I soaked through everything. When my son was feeding, I'd hold a cup under my other breast, and collect about 40mls just from leakage!" — Ryatha

Do lactation cookies make you gain weight?

The sugar and grain combination of lactation cookies can result in weight gain and inflammation. Both sugar and grains spike blood sugar levels, with the excess sugar going on to be stored as fat.

Lactation cookies are great to try if you really need a milk supply boost. However, if you have issues with blood sugar levels, gut issues or thrush, or if you have concerns about weight gain, eating cookies can make these things worse.

If you're worried about your weight, you can try:

Lactation Supplements
Pink Stork Lactation Tea

Can lactation cookies cause gas?

Brewers yeast, the key ingredient in lactation cookies, can cause mild cases of gas and bloating. If you're feeling any discomfort in your gut, cut back the amount of cookies you're eating, or reduce the amount of brewers yeast in your cookies.

If you have Crohn's disease, you may want to give the cookies a miss, if you're worried about symptoms being triggered.

Are these lactation cookies okay for diabetics?

Unfortunately this recipe is not suitable for diabetics, as they contain sugar and grains which will spike blood sugar levels. Unfortunately the active ingredient is very bitter, and sugar is how it's disguised.

What else can help with my milk supply?

Start your day with a healthy breakfast – here are 13 great ideas
Keep up your water intake. Have a glass of water next to you every time you breastfeed. Throughout the day, try to sip water every 15 minutes. Drinking water helps boost energy and concentration levels, which dehydration robs from you. Adding in an electrolyte powder to your water is so beneficial (such as this lemonade electrolyte from Key Nutrients or Ultima Replenisher), because it will hydrate you much better. Avoid sugary sports drinks from the grocery store – it's sugar water.
Drinking fennel tea can also help increase milk supply
Avoid dummies (pacifiers), formula or nipple shields unless advised by a lactation consultant. They decrease direct nipple stimulation, which means less milk production
Offer the breast more frequently. Demand equals supply as far as breastmilk goes. When your baby is sucking at the breast it sends your body signals to make more milk
Fenugreek can also increase milk supply. If you have a colicky or windy baby, fenugreek can irritate your baby – try other methods first. It's also very bitter, so try this as a last resort
Baby doesn't seem well? If your baby is losing weight or doesn't have plenty of wet nappies, please seek help without delay.

"I made a batch yesterday morning. I've had to get up this early to express, as I woke up feeling very full and leaky and uncomfortable!! So they have definitely made a difference!" — eza