Lactation cookies, also known as milk-boosting or milkmaking cookies, are cookies made with ingredients that are thought to help increase breast milk supply. Some of the key ingredients in lactation cookies include brewer’s yeast, flaxseed meal, and oats. Many new mothers wonder if it’s okay to eat these cookies before giving birth to help prepare for breastfeeding.
Quick Answer
Yes, it is generally safe and potentially beneficial to eat lactation cookies before giving birth. The ingredients in lactation cookies like oats, brewer’s yeast, and flaxseed are all foods that are safe during pregnancy. Eating lactation cookies before birth may help support breast milk production after delivery. However, there is limited evidence on their effectiveness.
Are the Ingredients in Lactation Cookies Safe During Pregnancy?
Most lactation cookie recipes contain ingredients like oats, brewer’s yeast, flaxseed meal, wheat germ, and dark chocolate chips. All of these ingredients are safe for consumption during pregnancy when eaten in normal food amounts. Here is more on the safety of key lactation cookie ingredients during pregnancy:
- Oats – Oats are a highly nutritious whole grain that provides fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Oats are safe to eat during pregnancy and may help reduce constipation.
- Brewer’s yeast – Brewer’s yeast is a source of protein, B vitamins, selenium, and chromium. There is no evidence that brewer’s yeast is unsafe during pregnancy when consumed in normal food amounts.
- Flaxseed – Flaxseed provides fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans. Flaxseed is safe in pregnancy but should be limited to no more than 1-2 tablespoons per day.
- Wheat germ – Wheat germ provides vitamin E, folate, and other nutrients. It can be safely eaten during pregnancy.
- Dark chocolate – Dark chocolate contains iron, magnesium, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds. There are no known issues with moderate dark chocolate consumption during pregnancy.
Do Lactation Cookies Increase Breast Milk Before Birth?
There is limited scientific evidence that eating lactation cookies before birth directly increases prenatal breast milk production. However, some of the ingredients may provide benefits:
- Brewer’s yeast contains compounds that may support the growth and development of mammary gland tissue.
- Flaxseed contains phytoestrogens that may mimic estrogen and promote mammary gland maturation.
- Oats provide nutrients like iron, B vitamins, and magnesium that help support breast milk production.
While more research is needed, eating lactation cookies before birth may support breast tissue development and future milk supply. However, other factors after birth like proper breastfeeding technique, pumping frequency, and adequate hydration play a much larger role.
When Should You Start Eating Lactation Cookies?
Most experts recommend starting to eat lactation cookies around your third trimester, or weeks 27-40 of pregnancy. This is when mammary gland growth accelerates in preparation for lactation. Eating 1-2 lactation cookies per day from the third trimester until birth may help support breast milk production.
You can continue eating the cookies after giving birth while breastfeeding. The same ingredients that may promote prenatal mammary gland development can also help optimize breast milk production after delivery.
First Trimester
There is no need to eat lactation cookies during your first trimester. Focus should be on treating common early pregnancy symptoms like nausea and fatigue. Most women have an adequate mammary gland foundation already in place.
Second Trimester
You can begin adding lactation cookies in moderation during the second trimester around week 13 if desired. Mammary gland growth begins around this time in preparation for breastfeeding.
Third Trimester
Consume 1-2 lactation cookies per day starting in the third trimester around weeks 27-29. This is when the most significant mammary development occurs, and lactation cookie ingredients may be most beneficial.
Tips for Eating Lactation Cookies Before Birth
Here are some tips for safely incorporating lactation cookies into your diet before giving birth:
- Consult your doctor – Discuss eating lactation cookies with your OBGYN, midwife, or medical provider first.
- Read ingredients – Check that a recipe doesn’t contain any allergens or unsafe ingredients.
- Portion control – Stick to 1-2 cookies per day for optimal safety and benefits.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of fluids like water, milk, and herbal tea when eating cookies.
- Balance diet – Don’t let cookies replace more nutritious foods. Focus on fruits, veggies, lean proteins.
- Avoid overeating – Don’t eat excessive amounts of cookies thinking more is better.
- Monitor effects – Watch for any symptoms like gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, or rashes.
- Store properly – Keep cookies refrigerated or frozen to maintain freshness.
Do Lactation Cookies Work Before Giving Birth?
According to lactation consultants and scientific reviews, there is limited and inconclusive evidence that lactation cookies increase milk supply before birth. Very few studies have directly examined their prenatal effects.
However, many women do report perceiving benefits from eating lactation cookies during pregnancy such as:
- Increased breast fullness
- Enlarged breast areola diameter
- More breast tenderness
- Greater nipple protrusion
While subjective, these effects suggest lactation cookies may support mammary changes in some women. But individual responses vary greatly. Some women experience no benefits from prenatal cookie consumption.
More research is still needed on optimal dosing, timing, and ingredients to standardize their effectiveness.
Potential Benefits
Here are some potential benefits reported by women who consume lactation cookies before giving birth:
- Increased breast size due to mammary gland proliferation
- Greater mammary tissue capacity for future milk production
- Improved latching and nursing from nipple preparation
- Elevated prolactin levels from herbal ingredients
- Increased antioxidant status to breast tissues from cacao
Unproven Benefits
Some potential benefits of prenatal lactation cookies are largely unproven or lack scientific evidence:
- Heavier milk supply immediately after birth
- Longer duration of ability to breastfeed
- Decreased risk of needing to supplement with formula
- Lower rates of newborn dehydration or jaundice
Recipes for Prenatal Lactation Cookies
Here are some sample recipes for prenatal lactation cookies:
Basic Lactation Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon brewer’s yeast
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 cup mix-ins like chocolate chips, raisins, nuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix together oats, flour, flaxseed meal, and brewer’s yeast.
- In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and combine.
- Slowly add milk until a dough forms.
- Mix in any desired add-ins.
- Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before eating.
Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
- 2 tablespoons brewer’s yeast
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, oats, flaxseed meal, brewer’s yeast, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned.
- Cool on wire rack before serving.
The Bottom Line
Lactation cookies contain ingredients like oats, brewer’s yeast, flaxseed, and fenugreek seed that may support breast milk production. Consuming 1-2 cookies per day in the late third trimester and after giving birth may help optimize milk supply. However, there is limited evidence on their effectiveness.
Eating lactation cookies before birth appears safe for most healthy women. But always discuss with your healthcare provider first. While the cookies may provide some benefits, focus on getting proper nutrition from a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and preparing your breasts for nursing through lanolin and nipple manipulation.
Further human trials are needed to standardize ideal lactation cookie recipes and dosing regimens. But many women do report perceiving positive effects from adding the cookies into their prenatal diet.
