Lactation cookies are a great way to boost milk supply & help keep you nourished the first few weeks after labor and delivery.
If there is anything that I know, it’s that after you give birth, your life becomes one of the most hectic. Between around the clock nursing, and your responsibility to care for the other kids, it can be incredibly difficult to find time to sit down and eat a meal.
In fact, you might find yourself tired and irritable from those crazy nights of hourly nursing and trying to find the energy to finish laundry, clean and do housework.
A new baby is definitely a blessing but can also find your way to near exhaustion too.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies
These cookies are full of ingredients to help keep your tummy happy and full, while also helping to boost your milk supply with oatmeal, flaxseed and brewers yeast. They are the perfect combination of soft and chewy, with a delectable sweetness that’s not too overpowering.
I’ve been blessed to be able to breastfeed all 5 of my children, with the first one going just over 3 years. Not only did I breastfeed I also pumped to have extra milk on top of it all. Fenugreek and fennel essential oil were two of the very best friends a girl could have.
This cookies rank right up with them. But more than anything, they are also a way to keep your body nourished during this critical time. If you don’t nourish and hydrate, then your body won’t be able to do its job effectively.
Make these cookies a batch or two at a time and go a step further and freeze some of the dough for later on. Simply mix up the batter, portion into balls, and throw in a ziploc. When you are ready to whip up another batch, pull them from the freezer and place them on a baking sheet and voila!
Cookies in minutes!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp water
- 2 Tbsp flaxseed meal
- 1/2 C butter softened
- 1/2 C brown sugar
- 1/4 C granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 C all purpose flour unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 C. old fashioned rolled oats
- 2 Tbsp brewers yeast
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 C mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 C shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, stir the flax and water - set aside.
- In your KitchenAid, cream the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla on high until cream.
- Stir in the flour, yeast, baking soda and powder, cinnamon, and flax mixture on low just until incorporated.
- Gently fold in the oats, chocolate chips, and coconut just until incorporated.
- Scoop onto rounded mounds on a baking sheet lined with a baking mat, parchment paper or foil. Use your palm to flatten each cookie dough mound slightly. The cookies will not spread much during baking so use your own preference to flatten to your liking before baking.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes at 350 until the edges are lightly brown - remove and allow to cool before removing from the baking sheet.
- Store in a covered container.
Nutrition
*This post was updated with new pictures in March, 2019. Here are the previous photos:
do you think these can be frozen?
I’m certain they can. I haven’t frozen myself, but I would freeze the dough in a ziploc bag, and then remove from the freezer a few hours before you are ready to make. They don’t last long here, they are what I relied on for the first few months after delivery.
Question about the nutrition: Is the serving 1/24th of the recipe? One cookie? And what is a kcal? I’m counting calories and trying to figure that out!
I’m in love with these- so delish! Please let me know ❤️
I’ve tried your cookies and thank you very much!! You stated that Fenugreek and Fennel essential oils were your BF. Can you share with me how you used them please. Thank you!!
Hi Lena – I used Fennel topically on my breasts with a carrier oil. Obviously before breastfeeding I had to wipe it off (I fed so much during the day). I did not have problems with breastfeeding the first 4, but for some odd reason, on child 5, my milk came to a screeching halt just a few months in and it was Fennel that helped immensely. As far as Fenugreek, I used that in the form of Mother’s Tea (available in the grocery store) by Traditional Medicinals, and I also took Fenugreek in pill form (available on Amazon or any health food store). That worked well for me too. With both, I started lactating again and lasted a little over a year until that child weaned from the breast to start using a cup. Hope that helps!
These cookies are SO GOOD! I am on my second batch, and I love them. The first time I made them i followed the recipe to a T, but they seemed a little too much like snickerdoodle cookies with the cinnamon, so I cut that down to 1/4 tsp on my second batch and they are sooo yummy. Also left out the coconut bc..gross. 🤣
They are so good… I can attest to that (LOL!) I love them. They are SO addictive. I love coconut, but not everyone does! I’m so glad you loved them and I hope they become a regular staple for your recipe box! Have a beautiful weekend, Emily!
Love these!! Are they able to be frozen once baked?
Yes, absolutely they can!
These were my go-to when I breastfed my first two daughters, then my triplets! I love making a batch for new moms too.
I would love to share this recipe on my new lifestyle show on WVUE in New Orleans. With credit, would you be open to that? -Shelby
Hi Shelby,
I’m so glad you found them helpful when you had your daughters! That’s so great to hear! I am so thrilled to know that something I relied on heavily with my kids was something that helped you, too 🙂
You can absolutely use the recipe. Thank you for reaching out and best of wishes for such a beautiful and safe Labor Day with your family (triplets and first two daughters!)
Sheryl