Lactation Cookies {The Best Breastfeeding Cookie Recipe}

Being a mom of a newborn baby is a lot of work. For breastfeeding moms, these tasty and nutritious Lactation Cookies work to boost milk supply. They're delicious oat cookies loaded with dried apricots and almond flour. All the ingredients that help a nursing mom produce enough milk for her baby.

Comment ~ my reader Anna

I'M A NEW GRANDMA! Our family welcomed our first grandchild last week. We're all over the moon with joy! I'm lucky enough to help out the new parents. And keeping my daughter and son-in-law's refrigerator well stocked with Spinach and Sausage Lasagna, Lemon Chicken, and Cheeseburger Sliders was my first job.

A call with baby well wishes from my brother lead to a new recipe for my breastfeeding daughter. He shared his recipe for a batch of homemade lactation cookies. He loves to bake and developed this delicious cookie recipefor his own daughters when they breastfed their babies.

How do lactation cookies work?

Just what are lactation cookies? They're delicious oatmeal cookies made with healthy ingredients. It's believed that they boost milk production for a nursing mother.

Whole oats, almond flour and apricots are natural ingredients that contain common galactagogues. They help stimulate the breast milk supply.

It's recommended to eat these mother's milk cookies each day as a tasty way to help moms have enough breast milk. Especially during the early days of breastfeeding. Every mom is different so the effectiveness of lactation cookies can vary from mom to mom.

Being a new mom is hard work. Having some of these delicious cookies is a tasty way to help increase breastmilk supply.

What does a lactation cookie taste like?

Different from regular cookies, these wholesome snacks are a cross between a cookie and a scone. They're tender, craggy, moist and dense all at the same time.

They're not too sweet with just a touch of brown sugar and dotted with dried apricots. The oatmeal and almond flour add heartiness. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, the cookies have a hint of citrus flavor from fresh orange juice.

These are the best breastfeeding cookies! New moms will love them.

Ingredients for oat lactation cookies

The nutritious ingredients in these yummy cookies are readily available at most grocery stores. Scroll down to the recipe for full quantities or the ingredients.

• Prepared oatmeal ~ Use rolled oats that are higher in fiber and protein than quick or instant oats.
• Salted butter
• Light brown sugar ~ Dark brown sugar is also an option.
• Egg ~ High in protein and nutrient dense, eggs are an ideal ingredient in these cookies for breastfeeding moms.
• Almond flour ~ Loaded with calcium and protein which is ideal for breastfeeding moms.
• Dried apricots ~ Can increase the production of prolactin which tells the body to produce milk.
• Orange juice
• Baking powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon and kosher salt

Variations

Make these lactation cookies with the following variations.

• Nuts ~ Stir in chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts. Toast them for even for flavor.
• Dried fruits ~ Add dried cranberries, cherries, figs, dates or raisins. Just chop the fruits if they're large.
• Spices ~ Try pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, cloves or almond extract.

Equipment and utensils for my lactation cookie recipe

Having the right equipment and utensils makes baking a breeze. I recommend the following tools for my recipe.

• Stand mixer or heavy duty hand mixer
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Large cookie scoop

How to make my lactation cookies recipe

New mamas will love this easy oatmeal cookie recipe. They're a great way to get a nutritional boost while trying to get a good milk supply for newborn babies.

Step 1: Preheat the oven and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 2: A standing mixer works best for the thick cookie batter. Cream butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg.

Step 4: Then add the cooled oatmeal, almond flour and chopped dried apricots. Mix until combined. The batter will be lumpy.

Step 5: Add the orange juice, baking powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and kosher salt and mix until combined.

Step 6: Drop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons on to the prepared baking sheets.

Step 7: Bake the cookies until firm to the touch and golden brown. Cool them on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Expert tips

• Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to help the cookies bake evenly. Cleanup is also a breeze as the baking sheets won't be dirty after their use.
• The cookies don't spread much while baking. Place them about 1 inch or so apart on the baking sheet.
• Don't overbake the cookies. They'll become dry and more likely to fall apart.

How to store lactation cookies

After cooling the cookies, they are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Then they are the tastiest when 2 cookies are heated in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.

The cookies also freeze well. Flash freeze the cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet. Then store in a resealable bag in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Frequently asked questions

Anytime of the day is a good time to enjoy a lactation cookie. They're a delicious and nutritious snack between meals. Some nursing moms like to have a cookie break about an hour before breastfeeding or pumping. Also, some moms like a cookie before bed to help keep the milk supply up overnight. But consistency is the best practice so you can gauge how the cookies are working for you.

There's a few signs to help you know when the cookies are helping increase breast milk production. After eating a cookie or 2, you will notice you're producing more milk. Also your breasts may feel more full. You may find that you need to pump more frequently. And if your baby is gaining weight at a healthy rate, the cookies may be helping.