Overview
Are you a new mom who’s looking to increase her milk supply?
Some nursing moms can boost milk supply by consuming more galactagogues. Foods under this category are believed to help increase a breastfeeding mom’s milk supply naturally.
A fun way to consume more galactagogues is to munch on lactation cookies. 🙂
If you prefer to bake your own at home, we’ve got a recipe for you to try below.
And if you’d rather forego the prep time and just order online, we’ve also listed our top ready-made choices, too.
The Best Lactation Cookies
For added benefits, you can pair one of the recommended cookies below with a cup of lactation tea:
Best Fenugreek-Free Lactation Cookies
Best Peanut Butter Lactation Cookies
Best Lactation Brownie Mix
Best Superfood Cookies
Best Ayurvedic Lactation Cookies
Best Non-GMO Lactation Cookies
Best Lactation Cookies With Blessed Thistle
Best No-Bake Vegan Lactation Cookies
Best Keto Lactation Cookies
Best Organic Lactation Cookies with Nutrient Boost Blend
Best Soy-Free Cookie Mix
Continue reading to learn more about each cookie product to help you choose which one to try.
Foods That Can Help Increase Milk Supply
These foods are great for nursing moms:
- Fennel (seeds or oil): This flowering plant from the carrot family has plenty of phytoestrogens (plant-based compounds that mimic estrogens). These compounds help in milk production.
- Flaxseed or flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed): It has phytoestrogens that can influence breast milk production. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids (healthy fats that are good for your baby’s brain development).
- Whole oats, rolled oats, or oat flour: These have high levels of iron that may also help with milk production.
- Brewer’s yeast: It has magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, protein, selenium, and complex B vitamins. Note that this might interact with some medications or cause some side effects. Check with your doctor or lactation consultant before adding this to your diet.
- Organic chia seeds: They have healthy fats, calcium, iron, and protein essential in milk production.
- Red, yellow, or orange vegetables rich in beta-carotene: Beets, carrots, and yams
- Dark, leafy green vegetables: Arugula, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, and kale
- Fresh fruits: Green papaya
- Legumes: Lentils and chickpeas
- Nuts and seeds: Walnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, and sesame seeds
Fenugreek seeds are also considered galactagogues but might actually lower milk supply in some women. Some parents choose to avoid fenugreek because it can cause bloat or indigestion.
Munchkin Milkmakers Lactation Cookie Bites
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- These cookies are preservative-free. Most of these flavors are fenugreek-free.
Flavors & Variations For The Lactation Cookies:
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Cheddar Crisps
- Sampler Pack
Flavors & Variations For the Lactation Bars:
- Chocolate Chip
Ingredients can include:
- Rolled oats
- Brewer’s yeast
- Whole wheat flour
- Chocolate chips
- Organic cane sugar
- Unsweetened chocolate
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Flaxseed meal
- Sunflower lecithin
The Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are fenugreek-free. If you want cookies with fenugreek, you can try the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies variant.
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- They’re packed in 2-oz bags (good for one serving) for meals on the go.
- There are plenty of other flavors available.
Cons
- These cookies contain eggs, soy, milk, wheat, and gluten. You can choose the lactation bars instead for gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, and soy-free lactation options.
- These cookies are also not guaranteed to be allergen-free because they’re produced in a facility that processes tree nuts.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“I love these cookies!! My supply has gone up so much. I eat 2 bags a day, and not only does it help so much, but they taste SO GOOD!” – Reviewer on Walmart.
Negative Reviews
“I’ve been eating 2 to 3 packs a day, and there has been a decrease in my supply, no increase at all.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
MilkBliss Peanut Butter Soft Baked Lactation Cookies
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- These cookies are made from organic, GMO-free ingredients.
- They’re also preservative-free.
- It comes in a resealable pack that you can bring on the go.
Flavors & Variations For The Ready-Made Cookies:
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Wild Blueberry Cookies
- Variety Pack
Flavors & Variations For The Lactation Cookie Mix Packs:
- Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
- Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix
Ingredients can include:
- Organic whole rolled oats
- GMO-free brewer’s yeast
- Organic flaxseed
- Wild blueberries
- Peanut flavored confectionery chips
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic wheat flour
- Brewer’s yeast
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- These cookies have no preservatives.
- Production is done in small batches to help maintain and monitor the products’ quality and safety.
- They’re soft-baked so if you’re into that – go for it!
Cons
- These products are made from organic wheat flour and are not gluten-free.
- They also contain eggs, so these no-bake cookies and baking mixes aren’t for you if you’re allergic.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“THESE ARE SO GOOD. I did notice a very SMALL change in milk supply, but my baby was not feeding regularly. So, I decided to pump + formula feed.” – Reviewer on Milk Bliss website.
Negative Reviews
“I’m sorry to say that after 6 days and the bag being gone – I did not see any difference in my supply.” – Reviewer on Milk Bliss website.
Mommy Knows Best Lactation Brownie Mix
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- Some gluten-free and dairy-free options are available.
- The brand offers a wide range of flavors for lactation brownie mix packs, cookie mix packs, and no-bake cookies.
- To prepare the brownies, add three eggs and 1.5 sticks of butter into one bag of the mix. Stir until well combined. Spread into a greased baking pan and bake for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you pick the cookie mix, just add a stick of butter plus an egg to one pack. Mix well. Line scoops of the cookie dough on a baking sheet and put this in the oven. Bake for 9-12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Flavors & Variations For The Lactation Brownie Mix Packs:
- Double chocolate brownie mix
- Salted caramel brownie mix
Flavors & Variations For The Lactation Cookie Mix Packs:
- Oatmeal chocolate chip mix (dairy-free and gluten-free)
- Oatmeal chocolate chip mix
- Salted caramel mix
- Oatmeal with white chocolate chip mix
- Oatmeal cinnamon raisin mix
- Oatmeal chocolate rainbow candy mix
Flavors & Variations For The Ready-Made Cookies:
- Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (gluten-free, non-GMO, and dairy-free)
- Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (regular)
- Oatmeal rainbow candy cookies
- Oatmeal white chocolate chip cookies
- Chocolate salted caramel cookies
Ingredients can include:
- Rolled oats
- Milk chocolate chips
- Brown sugar
- Granulated cane sugar
- Oat flour
- Brewer’s yeast
- Flaxseed
- Ground cinnamon
- Raisins
- Soy
- Cocoa powder (processed with alkali)
- Non-fat milk (in the chocolate chips)
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It’s a lactation brownie mix containing almost all the ingredients you’ll need to prepare a fresh batch of chewy brownies.
- Production is GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified.
- There are several flavors available.
Cons
- This product is a baking mix, not pre-baked cookies or brownies. You’ll still need to prepare and bake it.
- This product contains refined sugars (cane sugar).
- While there are gluten-free and dairy-free options, most of the varieties are not.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“Their cookies are by far the best lactation cookies I’ve ever had. You cannot even taste the brewer’s yeast in the slightest, even though there is a ton baked in!” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“Even after eating them for a few days, I didn’t see any change in my milk supply.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Boobie Bar Superfood Lactation Bar
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- This product is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and fenugreek-free.
- All the lactation products are formulated by the brand’s founder, Wendy Colson, a nurse and an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).
Flavors & Variations:
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Blueberry Muffins
Ingredients can include:
- Moringa leaf
- Cinnamon
- Shatavari root
- Turmeric
- Flaxseed
- Whole grain oats
- Cane sugar
- Flaxseed meal
- Vegetable glycerin
- Sunflower lecithin
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- These are certified kosher, vegan cookies.
Cons
- This product contains refined sugars (cane sugar).
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“Gluten-free and super yummy. My milk was slow to come in after an emergency c-section. These helped a lot and are a great snack to have in the Bessie drawer for those late-night feeds.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“The bars taste really good, surprisingly. I was a little worried, having tried many things to help my milk, and 99% of them tasting awful! The reason I gave 2 stars was because I got no increase in milk supply. I bought two boxes and ate them every morning, and I didn’t see any increase at all.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
UpSpring Milkflow Lactation Cookies
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- It contains blessed thistle. (Although it also contains gluten.)
- These are certified non-GMO cookies.
- Option for crunchy or chewy cookies: Just microwave for 20 seconds if you want chewy cookies.
Flavors & Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Oatmeal Salted Caramel
Ingredients can include:
- Enriched wheat flour
- Brown sugar
- Unsweetened chocolate chips
- Whole eggs
- Cocoa powder
- Stevia extract
- Rice hulls
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- These are individually wrapped cookies for snacking on the go.
- These products are made in a GMP-certified facility.
Cons
- This cookie contains egg, milk, soy, wheat, and gluten.
- This product contains fenugreek.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“Yes, it really works. You will see an increase in milk production. I see a difference in increased milk (production) within 24-36 hours. The fenugreek aroma is a bit strong, but it’s not bad.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“These cookies taste good but made my baby extremely gassy and unhappy. She would cry for hours and hours.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Majka No-Bake Lactation Cookie Bites
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- These vegan cookies are non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and sugar-free.
- The product is whole-food based, has no artificial sweeteners, and is made from organic and fresh ingredients.
Flavors & Variations:
- Original
- Chocolate
Ingredients can include:
- Organic rolled oats
- Almonds
- Turmeric
- Caraway
- Sesame
- Organic coconut
- Organic dates
- Organic unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil
- Organic cocoa powder
- Majka lactation blend (organic caraway, organic cloves, organic turmeric, organic fenugreek, organic cinnamon, organic fennel, and organic black sesame)
- Organic chia seed
- Organic flaxseed
- Himalayan sea salt
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dietitians and lactation consultants helped formulate this product.
Cons
- This product contains fenugreek.
- There are only two flavors available.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“I’ve really enjoyed these. I have the original flavor and keep them by my chair in the nursery. Not only do they aid in milk supply, but they also are great for those moments you’re starving and stuck under a sleeping baby. They do have an “herbal” taste, but I don’t mind it.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“Tastes like you’re eating a teabag, to be honest… I got past the taste and thought these aren’t terrible if they increase my supply (which it seemed to, very slightly), it was terrible for my little one. She had an upset tummy and spat up any time I ate the cookies. Not worth it!” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Mrs. Patel’s Lactation Cookies
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- The cookies are fenugreek-free and chocolate-studded, with ingredients traditionally used to boost milk production, including Shatavari, brewer’s yeast, and oats.
- They’re also gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.
Flavors & Variations For The Lactation Cookies:
- Chocolate Chips
Flavors & Variations For The Lactation Bars:
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Original
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Chocolate
- Original
- Chocolate
- Salted Caramel White
- Salted Caramel Dark
- Peanut Butter
- Combo Pack (Chocolate & Peanut Butter)
- Multi-Pack (Original, Chocolate, & Peanut Butter)
Ingredients can include:
- Almond meal
- Gluten-free oat flour
- Flaxseed meal
- Coconut oil
- Chocolate chips
- Sugar
- Brewer’s yeast
- Shatavari (an herb with phytoestrogens)
- Sunflower lecithin
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Ground ginger
- Ground cloves
Pros & Cons
Pros
- These are ayurvedic cookies containing Shatavari, which also has cooling and calming properties.
Cons
- These cookies contain sugar.
- They also contain almonds, so if you have nut allergies, these cookies aren’t for you.
- While the cookies are fenugreek-free, the lactation bars or treats are not.
Product Recall
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“These are the most delicious cookies ever! I started eating them Wednesday, I saw an increase in my breastmilk volume daily!!” – Reviewer on the Mrs. Patel website.
Negative Reviews
“These cookies taste terrible. I purchased them and of course am not able to return them even though I only tried one cookie. They smell and taste so bad I just couldn’t get myself to eat them they’re a waste of money.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Booby Boons Lactation Cookies
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- The cookies are made with non-GMO ingredients. Eating foods with GMOs (genetically modified organisms) may be unsafe and possibly cause allergies, antibiotic resistance, and other health concerns. (1)
- The cookies are also gluten-free, fenugreek-free, wheat-free, and soy-free.
- The lactation bars are gluten-free and vegan-certified.
Flavors & Variations For The Lactation Cookies:
- Caramel Crunch Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cocoa Quinoa Cookies
- Cowgal Trail Mix Blend Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Probiotic Salted Caramel Cookies
- Probiotic Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Flavors & Variations For The Lactation Bars:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Lactation Bars
- Chocolate Chip Lactation Bars
Ingredients can include:
- Oat flakes
- Granulated cane sugar
- Sorghum flour
- Eggs
- Caramel crunch
- Brown sugar
- Dried cranberries
- Hemp seeds
- Desiccated coconut
- Tapioca starch
- Nutritional yeast
- Hulled millet
- Sunflower lecithin
- Flaxseed
- Xanthan gum
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The cookies are made with 100% gluten-free ingredients and have no artificial sweeteners.
- The products have been formulated with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).
Cons
- The cookies contain eggs, so if you’re allergic to eggs or vegan, it’s not for you.
- These products contain refined sugars (cane sugar).
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“These have a great taste, and I appreciate that they are fenugreek-free as it is shown to dry up milk and cause tummy issues in wee babes.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“I do not recommend these! They actually stunted my milk supply. I stopped eating these cookies, and within 2 days, my milk supply went back to normal.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Milk Muse Keto Lactation Cookies
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- It’s a low-carb, gluten-free, and sugar-free product that may suit you best if you’re on a keto diet.
- It contains some organic, non-GMO ingredients.
Flavors & Variations:
- Chocolate Chip
Ingredients can include:
- Almond flour
- Non-GMO erythritol
- Eggs
- Dark chocolate chips (unsweetened)
- Organic, sustainable palm oil
- Organic coconut flour
- Organic vegetable glycerin
- Brewer’s yeast
- Ground fennel seeds
- Xanthan gum
- Sunflower lecithin
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It’s a keto product that’s sugar-free and gluten-free.
Cons
- This product contains erythritol as a sweetener which may cause digestive upset in some.
- It also contains almonds, so be careful if you have a nut allergy.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“Delicious! Not sure how well they worked for my milk. I did not produce more, but I also didn’t go down in production.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“This may be just my personal taste, but fenugreek does not belong in a cookie. It completely dominated the flavor and clashed with the chocolate chip cookie-ness. Not only could I not finish one cookie, but I was also nauseated the rest of the day from the lingering taste.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Happy Mama Organics Lactation Cookies
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- This organic, dairy-free product has no preservatives and no fillers.
- It contains a Nutrient Boost Blend with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, a healthy fat essential for brain development and improved heart health).
Flavors & Variations:
- Chocolate, Oat & Sea Salt Cookies
- Cinnamon and Oat Cookies
Ingredients can include:
- Milled organic whole grain oats
- Organic barley flour
- Organic coconut oil
- Organic semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic brown sugar
- Organic eggs
- Organic ground flaxseed
- Brewer’s yeast
- Sea salt
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It’s a dairy-free snack made from organic ingredients.
Cons
- This product contains eggs, so if you’re allergic to eggs or vegan, it’s not for you.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“They taste great and are the perfect snack. They didn’t leave a weird aftertaste. I also noticed at least an extra ounce of milk every time I pumped on days I ate them. I made sure to compare. Definitely worth it for the taste and the extra milk!” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“I like that they are individually wrapped, but they are like eating a piece of particleboard. The only way I could get through them was to dip them in coffee each time. Definitely did not enjoy these and will not be purchasing again.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Ella Bella Lactation Cookie Mix
Key Features & Ingredients
Best Features:
- This baking mix is gluten-free, soy-free, peanut-free, and tree nut-free.
- The mix itself doesn’t contain eggs. But you should avoid this if you or your baby have egg allergies.
- This product is Kosher-certified.
Flavors & Variations:
- Regular
- No chocolate chips
Ingredients can include:
- Ella Bella special gluten-free all-purpose flour (potato flour, sorghum flour, tapioca flour, rice flour, and less than 2% of xanthan gum)
- Gluten-free oats
- Dark brown sugar
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Flax meal
- Gluten-free brewer’s yeast
- Kosher salt
Product Recall
- None
Pros & Cons
Pros
- These gluten-free lactation cookie recipes only need two eggs, 12 tbsp butter (or your preferred substitute), and vanilla.
Cons
- It’s just a baking mix that you still have to prepare and bake before you can enjoy your cookies.
- There’s no other flavor that moms could choose for boosting milk supply, but the company sells other types of baking mixes.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“This gluten-free lactation cookie mix is THE BEST! I use coconut oil & applesauce instead of butter to keep them dairy-free, and they come out PERFECT. I have to freeze them; otherwise, they would be gone in 2 days, lol. You would never know they are lactation cookies. And they work great for my supply!” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“I made these thinking they’d help me increase my milk supply. They tasted too grainy and didn’t help with my milk supply. I am just disappointed with the product.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Gluten-Free Lactation Cookie Recipe
Here’s a recipe for gluten-free lactation cookies from Primal Palate that you can try at home: (2)
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups gluten-free flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp Himalayan pink salt
- 3 tbsp brewer’s yeast
- 1/4 cup flaxseed meal (finely ground golden flax seeds)
- 1/2 cup maple sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon sugar
- 2 cups oats, rolled
- 2 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup maple syrup, pure
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 cup brown butter ghee
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, organic
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Procedure
- Preheat your oven to bake at 350 degrees.
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, baking soda, sea salt, brewer’s yeast, ground flaxseeds, maple sugar, cinnamon sugar, and rolled oats.
- Stir to evenly combine the dry ingredients.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond milk, and ghee.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir to evenly combine.
- Add the coconut oil, and stir again to combine.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the baking sheet, allowing about an inch and a half between balls of dough.
- Bake one sheet at a time, at 350 degrees, for 12 minutes.
- Allow to cool.
- You can freeze these cookies if you are not planning on serving them within the next two days.
Lactation Cookie FAQs
When Should I Start Taking Lactation Cookies?
You can start taking lactation cookies a few weeks before giving birth. But if you haven’t done that, you can still catch up and get some now.
How Many Lactation Cookies Should You Eat In A Day?
It may depend on the size of the cookies, but most brands recommend two to three cookies a day.
For optimal results, you may eat the cookies about an hour before breastfeeding or pumping.
Can These Cookies Hurt My Supply?
Sometimes, these cookies could cause an oversupply of milk and lead to painful engorgement or clogged ducts.
What Happens If I Eat Too Many Lactation Cookies?
The following are some of the most common side effects of eating too many of these cookies:
- Migraine-like headaches
- Bloating and gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Painful engorgement and oversupply
- Weight gain
What Happens If A Guy Eats A Lactation Cookie?
Nothing. If a guy eats a lactation cookie, he’ll have a high-calorie snack, but he isn’t going to start producing milk.
Summary & Recommendation
Choosing the best lactation cookies could be a challenge, with so many brands and varieties available.
Here are our recommendations to help you pick one:
- Munchkin Milkmakers Lactation Cookie Bites (Fenugreek-Free)
- MilkBliss Peanut Butter Soft Baked Lactation Cookies (Non-GMO)
- Mommy Knows Best Lactation Brownie Mix
- Boobie Bar Superfood Lactation Bar (Vegan-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, and Non-GMO)
- Mrs. Patel’s Lactation Cookies (Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Fenugreek-Free, and Dairy-Free)
- Booby Boons Lactation Cookies (Soy-Free & Wheat-Free)
- UpSpring Milkflow Lactation Cookies (Non-GMO & Gluten-Free)
- Majka No-Bake Lactation Cookie Bites (Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Non-GMO, and Vegan-Friendly)
- Milk Muse Keto Lactation Cookies (Gluten-Free, Low Carb)
- Happy Mama Organics Lactation Cookies
- Ella Bella Lactation Cookie Mix (Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan-Friendly)
REFERENCES:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791249/
(2) https://www.primalpalate.com/paleo-blog/gluten-free-lactation-cookies/
