The Best Lactation Cookie Recipe! | Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free | A NICU Story

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My lactation journey as a NICU mom

My son was born at only 24 weeks gestation… he weighed only 1 lb 11 oz!

One of my first questions to the nurse was, can I produce breastmilk??? I was deeply relieved when she said, “YES”!

I knew the the immense benefits of breastmilk and now with my son being born extremely premature, producing this magical milk was even more important to me.

Thankfully, in the following moments my sweet lactation consultant, Kristi, walked into the room and taught me how to pump and hand-express my first drops of colostrum. I felt like a superhero! I proudly delivered 5 ml of liquid gold, colostrum, to my nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which was administered via a feeding tube to my son.

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Fast forward two weeks later, my lactation specialist was checking up on me. I told her I was up to 2 ounces total per pumping session. I thought this was great since it had increased from the week before. My lactation specialist gave me a look of concern… she said I should be up to a full supply of 4 ounces per pumping session (every 2 hours) by now!

She encouraged me to seek out supplemental nutrients and acupuncture to increase my suppply ASAP! She recommended Legendairy supplements, moringa, and lactation cookies!

I knew I already had the perfect lactation cookie recipe (I had already developed it for a mom friend!). From what I had learned in my studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine nutrition, oats, eggs, flaxseed, and goji berries were beneficial for boosting lactation because they nourish the mother. By making my own cookies I could also control the quality of the ingredients. My lactation specialists approved of my lactation cookie recipe and gave it to other moms too!

I’m happy to say, I was able to get myself up to a full milk supply and have been producing breast milk for my son for 1 whole year now! I make this recipe any time I feel like my supply is dropping and it helps right away!

I tell people that my lactation experience was due to sheer determination. It is hard work keeping your milk supply up! Whether you are pumping, breastfeeding, or both, keep going! I truly believe breastmilk is one of the best gifts you can give your kiddo.

If you are pumping and need a pep talk, I found this podcast episode from Hey Shayla very motivating! Click here for Podcast Episode.

And if you are reading this beside your sweet baby in the NICU, my prayers are with you. Remember, this is not forever. Stay strong <3

What Causes a Low Breast Milk Supply

Women sometimes have a hard time keeping up their supply of breast milk. This can be due to many different reasons such as lack of breast tissue, stress, dehydration, poor diet, lack of sleep (which can be hard to come by with a newborn baby!), or changes in hormones. It is important to address all of these different factors when addressing a low milk supply.

Whether you have been producing breast milk for days or months, there are a few key foods that can help boost your milk supply!

Boosting Your Breast Milk Supply with Whole Foods

Moms who have difficulty supplying enough breast milk for their child may find help with key foods such as oats, flaxseed, eggs, goji berries, and brewer’s yeast.

Oats– in Traditional Chinese Medicine, are warming and nourishing. They provide nutrients such as iron, zinc, folate, and Vitamin B. I recommend these sprouted, organic, gluten-free oats by OneDegree.

Flaxseed– boosts estrogen which helps to increase breast milk production.

Eggs– contain lecithin which is known as a galactagogue- lactation enhancer. Eggs are also a great source of protein!

Goji Berries– in Traditional Chinese Medicine help to nourish the blood which is important for the mother’s health and breast milk supply. Goji berries support the liver and immune system while adding natural sweetness!

Brewer’s yeast– is high in iron, protein, and vitamin B, which increases breast milk production. I found certified Gluten Free Brewer’s Yeast on Amazon!

It is important to note that these cookies are NOT replace a whole-food diet. Eating regular whole food (non-processed), nourishing meals frequently, and staying hydrated are the most important.

I recommend reading the book: The First 40 Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother. This is a wonderful book for postpartum women based on Traditional Chinese Medicine that provides nourishing recipes and teas to support recovery and lactation.

For more support, I highly recommend meeting with a lactation consultant! They are an amazing resource that I personally have found so valuable!

Recipe Modifications

I have made this recipe in so many different ways! It can be easily modified depending on your needs.

Egg-free– this recipe originally had no egg in it. The “flax egg” was the egg component but I added the egg for extra nutrition. If you cannot have eggs, simply leave out the egg and make the recipe as is. Add an extra 1-2 Tablespoons of water if the batter seems dry.

Rice-free– My baby at one point was sensitive to rice. Since gluten-free all-purpose flours typically use rice flour I used cassava flour instead. Use the same amount (3/4 cup) of cassava flour as a replacement for gluten-free flour.

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