Lactation cookies: the secret recipe to boost milk supply

It might surprise you, but one of the most searched for terms on the internet is lactation cookies.

And before you panic and visualise mothers squirting breast milk into mixing bowls and whisking it up with fresh eggs, they are not cookies made with breast milk.

Rather, these humble, crumbly cookies are made with whole oats, flaxseed and brewer’s yeast and wheat germ – ingredients all known to boost the milk supply of lactating human beings.

"While there is not one specific nutrient found in breastfeeding cookies that increases milk supply, the combination of high calorie ingredients (including flaxseed, oats, egg) helps to ensure that extra calories are available for the production of breast milk," says Leading dietitian and creator of Shape Me Kickstart program Susie Burrell.

"A number of the ingredients are nutrient rich foods high in essential fats, protein, fibre and zinc which are all crucial for nutrient rich breast milk production. Specifically, brewer's yeast is thought to help increase supply thanks to its high amounts of b-group vitamins, although this is yet to be proven."

British actress, Kellie Shirley, blogged about munching on ‘boob biscuits’ after giving birth to her twins, Pearl and Louie, last year.

‘I’ll be munching from my industrial-sized tin of boob biscuits (aka the lactation cookies - yes they really work!)’, the former East Enders actress posted on Closer Online.

And Ice-T’s wife, actress Coco Austin – swears by the breastfeeding treats from Milky Mamma.

And no, it’s not just a breastfeeding mummy snack – Dads can eat them too as they’re high in nutrients for everyone.

Click here for our quick and delicious recipe for Breastfeeding Cookies from our 9Kitchen Editor, Jane de Graaff.  

Don’t want to cook them? Buy these biscuits for your boobs from Franjos Kitchen, www.shopoftoys.com.au

Ice-T, Coco Austin and baby Chanel. Image: Getty
Actress Kellie Shirley. Image: Getty