Cookies for the nursing mommas (and all the other people who just enjoy cookies)

After baby Owen was born, he had some major gas issues that caused him stomach pains and screaming fits.  It was horrible for him and for us.  We hated seeing our little ten day old baby in so much pain.  The pediatrician recommended I cut down on my dairy consumption to see if that helped with the problem.  Low and behold, it did. It made a huge difference so I am basically dairy-free right now.  I definitely have cheat days but a majority of the time I pass on the milk, cheese, butter, etc.  It's a slightly sad life to live dairy free (primarily regarding the lack of cheese situation) but I know it is only temporary.  

I recently had a conversation with a friend and she stated her Nurse Practitioner told her that oatmeal, flax seed, and berries were just some of the foods that increase a mother's milk supply.  As a nursing and pumping mother, I am always on the lookout for ways to increase my milk supply! So the other day when I came across a recipe for lactation cookies on the blog How Sweet It Is, my world was shaken.  What?!?  I didn't even know cookies like this existed.  (And just for clarification, they do not contain any breastmilk.  They are designed to help increase a mother's milk supply.) I looked over the recipe.  Oats, check! Flax seed, check! Brewer's yeast, check! All foods that can help increase milk supply!  I quickly determined that these cookies needed to be made asap.  

So to connect back to the first paragraph of this blog, I needed to make some modifications on the original recipe to make it dairy free.  I didn't want little Owen to be all gassy even though I was producing more milk.  I also wanted these cookies to be gluten-free. (That's a whole other story for a whole other blog post.)

Since I made these cookies and have been eating them on the regular (like literally daily), I really have seen an increase in milk production.  In reality though, even if I didn't see an increase in milk, I would totally keep this recipe in my file. They are super good!  Matt and my sister have been eating them too and love them.  This is definitely a recipe to keep around if you are looking for a hearty, raisin cookie...that also happens to have positive side affects for nursing mothers! I hope you enjoy!

This recipe calls for Brewer's yeast.  I did some googling and found the best price on Amazon.  This is the one I ordered (Brewer's yeast). It adds a really depth to the cookies.  I don't know what else I can use it in but it definitely works in this recipe.

I used Earth Balance instead of butter.  As you can see, when creamed with coconut oil, it looks just like whipped butter would look.  I couldn't even tell it wasn't butter.

The first time I made these with dark chocolate like the original recipe calls for.  The second (and third) time I made these cookies, I added raisins instead.  I loved the change!  The raisins melded so well with the heartiness of the oats, flax seed, and Brewer's yeast. 

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Gluten-free, dairy-free Lactation Cookies
*makes about 36-42 cookies depending on how much of the dough you eat before baking


3 cups old-fashion rolled oats
1/2 cup coconut flour
5 tablespoons of Brewer's yeast
3 tablespoons of ground flax seed
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup of Earth Balance
4 tablespoons of coconut oil
1 1/2 cups of cane sugar or coconut sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon of vanilla
1 cup of raisins (or more)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Add dry ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.

Using an electric mixer, add Earth Balance and coconut oil to bowl.  Mix to combine.  This will take about 2-3 minutes. Add the sugar and beat it until it lightens in color and looks nice and fluffy.  This should take about another 3-4 minutes.  Add one egg at a time until combined.  Add vanilla.  Scrape down the sides as needed.

Add dry ingredients gradually.  Mix to combine.  Stir in raisins.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the bottoms are golden.  These cookies are great warm but even better when they are cool.  I have been freezing them and they freeze really well.

-Recipe adapted from How Sweet It Is' Lactation Cookies

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