Last week I shared some info about breastfeeding that I wish I’d known before baby S was born. One of the things I’ve learned along the way is how important it is to nurse or pump frequently to first bring in your milk, and then to keep up your supply.

I started pumping the very first day baby S was born, in addition to nursing every hour or two (measured from the start of one feeding to the start of the next) in an effort to bring in my milk as quickly as possible. Now that he’s starting to eat solids, I’m just as diligent about pumping or nursing every few hours, except at night, so my supply doesn’t take an unexpected dip. A rule of thumb with daycare is when the baby is drinking milk from a bottle, you should be pumping; that’s usually around 1:30pm for me.

In addition to pumping and nursing, I’ve found a few ways to increase my supply, which was especially helpful when my supply tanked after getting mastitis and baby S was put on a watch by his pediatrician because he was losing, not gaining weight in his first few weeks. My favorite supply enhancer is lactation cookies or as I like to call them, milk making cookies. Yum!

I like to bake up a batch and then freeze them so I can have one with a mug of Mother’s Milk Tea each night for dessert. They have lots of nutritious things in them, but most importantly, they’re delicious!


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Momma’s Milk Making Cookies

1/2 c. softened butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 t. vanilla
2 large eggs
3/4 c. almond butter (or peanut butter)
1/3 c. water
1 t. cinnamon, optional
1 c. ground flax (sometimes called flax flour)
3 T. brewer’s yeast
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 3/4 c. old fashioned oatmeal (not quick oats)
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 1/2 – 2 c. chocolate chips – I used 1c. mini chips and 1c. of chocolate chunks
1 c. chopped nuts of your choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. Combine butter and sugars, beating until pale and fluffy
2. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well
3. Add almond butter and mix until combined
4. Add water, mix well
5. Add cinnamon (optional), flax, brewers yeast, flour, oats, soda and salt, mix until well incorporated
6. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts
7. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet or a cookie sheet lined with a silpat. Bake at 350 degrees for ~10 minutes until set in the center.

Another alternative is the lactation cookie alternative for this oatmeal cookie with peanut butter filling. Yum!

No amount of cookies or good nutrition can be a substitute for frequent nursing or pumping, but they are a healthier alternative for your sweet tooth. They’re also a good option for your husband’s or children’s sweet tooth too!

What are your favorite milk supply enhancing tricks?