Lactation Cookies

When I got pregnant for the first time there was one thing I was absolutely certain about. I was going to breastfeed my baby. I wanted the special bond and I had researched all the benefits and nutrition breast milk provides for the baby.

I figured it would come naturally, that baby would latch and we would have our skin-to-skin bonding time. However, our skin-to-skin was a little delayed because he was born with an infection and they had to make sure he was okay before they handed him to me. And then I had no idea how to even latch the little guy. Over the next couple days in the hospital nurses and lactation specialists would show me how to make sure I had a good latch. But despite my best efforts, he was not getting enough milk and therefore the nurses suggested I begin pumping and give him formula, while still putting him to my breast to encourage let down, until my milk came in. When I started feeding him formula, he was barely latching on to that and initially I thought it was because I just wasn't doing it right until the nurse began feeding him the bottle and she noticed he was a poor eater. At one point she even made a comment that he was acting like a premie even though he was full term (39 weeks, 4 days to be exact).

Fast forward to our discharge and I was confident in the skills I had learned at the hospital...until I brought him home and all of a sudden I felt as I knew nothing. I mean, I remember the nursing staff had told me something about making sure baby was moving his mouth as if he was eating a burger but actually getting him to do it was tough! After going to the pediatrician for his newborn check up, they told me I would have to now feed my baby every two hours instead of three because he wasn't gaining weight. Cue in postpartum hormones. I was a wreck after they told me that I would have to up his feeding. I thought, how am I supposed to function with no sleep if I am waking every two hours to feed him!

Between pumping and my attempts on feeding him, I felt I wasn't making enough milk. I was desperate and began researching ways to boost milk production - oats, brewers yeast, fenugreek, and flaxseed meal. Add in some chocolate chips and you have a pretty awesome lactation cookie! The best part was each batch was a month's supply. I simply put them in a freezer friendly gallon bag and took one out and zapped it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. I took two on the first day and one every day following that. My milk supply improved overnight! Baby latched on and was satisfied with his feedings and I still had plenty to pump and store for when I returned to work.

Unfortunately, out of all the times I made these cookies I never thought to take pictures of them. So you'll have to take my word for it and make them so you can taste how awesome they are!

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp flaxseed meal

1/4 C. water

2 C. whole wheat flour

1/4 C. brewer's yeast

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

9 fenugreek capsules (empty capsules and discard)

1/2 C. butter, softened

1/2 C. coconut oil, softened

3/4 C. sugar

3/4 C. brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 C. old fashioned oats

1 C. chocolate chips (dark chocolate is my favorite)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Mix flaxseed and water; set aside.

3. Stir together dry ingredients - flour, brewer's yeast, salt, baking soda and fenugreek; set aside.

4. Blend butter, coconut oil, and sugars well. Blend in eggs. Stir in flaxseed mixture and vanilla; mix well.

5. Add dry mixture. Mix until just combined. Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

6. Scoop 2 Tbsp of dough, 1-2 inches apart, on non-stick cookie sheet.

7. Bake for 9-10 minutes, until matte on top.

8. Let sit 1-2 minutes on cookie sheet and then transfer to cooling racks. Once completely cooled place in freezer bag.

WARNING: Consult your doctor before making this recipe. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

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