If there’s one thing you quickly discover after having a baby, it’s just how hungry breastfeeding can make you.
Those early weeks can feel like an endless cycle of feeding, settling, changing nappies, trying to sleep and suddenly realising at 2pm that you haven’t actually eaten anything since breakfast.
And somewhere along the breastfeeding journey, chances are you’ll hear someone mention lactation cookies.
They’ve become incredibly popular with breastfeeding mums, with ingredients like oats, flaxseed, brewer’s yeast and other foods traditionally associated with supporting breastmilk production.
But do lactation cookies actually increase your milk supply?
And even if they don’t magically produce more milk, are they still worth having in the pantry?
Let’s look at what we actually know.
What Are Lactation Cookies?
Lactation cookies are essentially nutrient-packed cookies designed specifically with breastfeeding mums in mind.
They often contain ingredients traditionally known as galactagogues — foods, herbs or medications that are used with the intention of supporting breastmilk production.
Common ingredients include:
- Oats
- Brewer’s yeast
- Flaxseed
- Fenugreek
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy fats
- Whole grains
You’ll see different combinations depending on the brand or recipe.
And honestly, one of their biggest advantages may simply be that they’re an easy snack you can grab with one hand while feeding a baby with the other.
Anyone who has breastfed knows how useful that can be!
Do Lactation Cookies Actually Increase Milk Supply?
This is where I think it’s important to separate wellness marketing from what the research actually tells us.
Lactation cookies are often marketed as “milk boosting”, but the evidence isn’t strong enough to say that eating a lactation cookie will automatically increase your breastmilk supply.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association explains that foods including oats and brewer’s yeast are commonly used as galactagogues, but there is currently little scientific evidence showing that these foods actually increase milk supply.
A 2023 randomised controlled trial involving 176 exclusively breastfeeding parents compared lactation cookies containing oatmeal, brewer’s yeast, flaxseed and fenugreek with regular cookies.
After one month, researchers found no significant difference in milk production between the two groups.
So I wouldn’t look at lactation cookies as a magic milk-producing food.
But that doesn’t necessarily make them pointless.
Why I Still Think Lactation Cookies Can Be a Great Postpartum Snack
Breastfeeding requires energy.
You’re caring for a newborn, potentially surviving on broken sleep and trying to remember to look after yourself at the same time.
Having convenient snacks around the house can make life so much easier.
A good lactation cookie can provide carbohydrates, fats and other nutrients depending on its ingredients, while also being something you can literally grab from the pantry when you’re starving during a feed.
Instead of thinking:
“I need this cookie to make milk.”
I prefer thinking:
“I’m breastfeeding, my body needs nourishment, and this is an easy snack made with ingredients traditionally used by breastfeeding mums.”
That’s a much more realistic way to look at them.
What Actually Helps Maintain Breastmilk Supply?
The biggest driver of breastmilk production isn’t a particular cookie, tea or supplement.
It’s milk removal.
Breastfeeding works largely on supply and demand.
When milk is removed frequently and effectively through breastfeeding or expressing, your body receives the signal to continue producing milk.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association notes that galactagogues work best alongside frequent and effective milk removal, and some mums experiencing supply concerns may see improvement simply by getting support with feeding or expressing.
So if you’re genuinely worried about low supply, don’t feel as though you need to keep buying supplements and “milk boosting” products.
Getting your feeding assessed by a lactation consultant, breastfeeding counsellor, midwife or other qualified health professional can be much more useful.
Lactation Cookie Ingredients You’ll Often See
Oats
Oats are probably the ingredient most associated with lactation cookies.
They’re nutritious regardless of whether they directly affect milk supply.
Oats provide carbohydrates and fibre and can make a really satisfying base for a breastfeeding snack.
Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is another classic lactation-cookie ingredient.
It’s commonly used in lactation recipes and is one of the foods traditionally promoted for milk production.
However, there’s currently limited evidence showing that brewer’s yeast itself meaningfully increases breastmilk production.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is another great ingredient you’ll often find in homemade lactation cookies.
It’s a source of fibre, healthy fats and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.
Again, I would think of flaxseed primarily as a nutritious ingredient, rather than something guaranteed to increase your milk.
Fenugreek
Some lactation products contain fenugreek, a herb traditionally used to support milk production.
Natural doesn’t automatically mean risk-free, though. Herbs can cause side effects and interact with medications, so breastfeeding mums should check with a healthcare professional before taking concentrated herbal supplements.
A Lactation Cookie You Can Buy
Sometimes you don’t have the time — or energy — to bake.
Having a packet of breastfeeding-friendly cookies sitting beside your feeding chair or in your nappy bag can be incredibly convenient.
The lactation cookies I’ve found on Amazon Australia are designed specifically as an easy snack for breastfeeding mums.
You can check out the lactation cookies here: SHOP LACTATION COOKIES ON AMAZON AUSTRALIA
Want to Make Your Own? Try This Easy Lactation Cookie Recipe
If you’d prefer to make your own, lactation cookies are actually really simple.
And the best part is that you can make a big batch and freeze them.
Easy Oat & Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup wholemeal or plain flour
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoons brewer’s yeast
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- 2–4 tablespoons water as needed
Method
Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Mix the flaxseed with around 2 tablespoons of water and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar.
Add the egg, vanilla and flaxseed mixture.
Stir through the flour, oats, brewer’s yeast, cinnamon and baking soda.
Fold through your chocolate chips.
If the mixture feels too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water until you have a soft cookie dough.
Roll into balls, place onto your baking tray and gently flatten.
Bake for approximately 10–12 minutes, or until they’re lightly golden around the edges.
Allow them to cool before storing.
Make Them Even More Nourishing
You could also add:
- Chopped walnuts
- Chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Coconut
- Peanut or almond butter
- Raisins
- Dark chocolate
- Hemp seeds
Make them your own.
My Favourite Postpartum Tip: Create a Feeding Snack Station
This is something I wish every new mum would set up before baby arrives.
Choose the place where you’ll probably do most of your breastfeeding and keep a little basket beside you containing things like:
- Lactation cookies
- Nuts
- Muesli bars
- Dried fruit
- Crackers
- Water bottle
- Electrolytes if appropriate for you
- Lip balm
- Phone charger
- Breast pads
- Burp cloth
Because once you’re sitting down with a hungry newborn who decides to feed for the next 45 minutes, you’ll be very happy you did.
What If You’re Worried About Low Milk Supply?
This is really important.
If you’re genuinely concerned that your baby isn’t getting enough milk, don’t rely on lactation cookies or supplements to fix the problem.
Things like pumping output or how “full” your breasts feel don’t necessarily tell you exactly how much milk your baby is receiving.
Concerns about your baby’s feeding, hydration, weight gain or your milk supply should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional or qualified breastfeeding specialist.
Sometimes there is a supply issue.
Sometimes there is a latch or milk-transfer issue.
And sometimes milk supply is perfectly normal, but a mum understandably worries that it isn’t.
Having someone assess what’s actually happening can save you an enormous amount of stress.
So, Are Lactation Cookies Worth It?
I think lactation cookies can absolutely have a place in your breastfeeding journey — I just wouldn’t expect them to be a magic solution for milk supply.
The best evidence we currently have doesn’t show that standard lactation cookies reliably increase milk production.
But as an easy, enjoyable and potentially nutrient-rich snack?
That’s where they make much more sense to me.
Breastfeeding mums need to eat too.
And when you’re exhausted, feeding around the clock and constantly putting someone else’s needs before your own, having something delicious waiting in the cupboard can be a surprisingly lovely little form of self-care.
So make yourself a batch, keep some in the freezer or buy a packet for those weeks when baking is absolutely not happening.
And if you’re visiting a friend who has just had a baby?
Forget another bunch of flowers.
Bring the cookies.
Another beautiful brand on Amazon is Franjo’s Kitchen Choc Chip Lactation Biscuits 250g https://link.amazon/B04F2SIHU
This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for individual medical or breastfeeding advice. If you’re concerned about your baby’s feeding, growth or your milk supply, speak with your healthcare provider or a qualified lactation professional.