Lactation Cookies: When to Eat for Breastfeeding
If you’re breastfeeding or pregnant and planning to breastfeed, you may be wondering whether you’ll produce enough milk for your baby. And the odds are high that you’ve spent a great deal of time learning about milk supply and how the whole stuff work. Breastfeeding is a biological process that ensures your little one gets the best nutrients for their growth and development. However, it can be taxing on your body.
One of the best ways to ensure a smooth breastfeeding journey is to eat healthy and wholesome foods. Lactogenic and galactagogues are nutrient components used to support breastmilk supply. These components have been incorporated into cookies to make lactation cookies. Lactation cookies are a nutritious and delicious way of helping parents boost their breastmilk supply and quality. But, is there an ideal time to eat them? Let’s dig deeper.
When To Eat Lactation Cookies
There’s no standard right time for eating lactation cookies. You can eat lactation cookies anytime in your breastfeeding journey. Depending on your preferences, most mothers start eating lactation cookies once they’ve given birth to help them make more milk for their infants. Others only eat the cookies when they have a drop in their milk supply. At the end of the day, go for whatever works for you.
Some experts recommend parents begin eating cookies two weeks before their expected delivery date. This is to help them establish breastfeeding before the baby arrives and fortify breast milk with essential nutrients needed by the baby. However, it’s crucial to first consult your doctor before consuming anything containing herbal supplements. That’s so because lactation cookies contain fenugreek supplements which can cause uterine contractions. So be careful with what you eat when pregnant.
As a step guide, the best time to eat lactation cookies would be once you’ve given birth. Feel free to have it as soon as you deliver. This way, the cookies will stimulate more milk for your baby. There are no limitations on how long you should eat lactation cookies. Consume these cookies for as long as your breastfeeding journey, but be cautious and don’t overdo it. You can also stop using them anytime you feel you have an oversupply of breastmilk.
About Lactation Cookies
Lactation cookies are nutrient-dense cookies packed with natural ingredients that help increase milk supply. These cookies are thought to be better than supplements, as they contain various ingredients, all great at boosting milk supply. There are different lactation cookie brands, each with unique
ingredients, flavors, and prices. Common ingredients in most lactation cookies include:
Fenugreek
is one of the main ingredients in most lactation cookies and supplements. There’s some research evidence suggesting that fenugreek seeds help increase breastmilk supply. However, the amount to be consumed should not be less than 3500 mg. Taking a low dosage of fenugreek seeds (3500 mg or lower) doesn’t impact breastfeeding, and nursing moms won’t witness a change in their milk supply.
Fennel:
Fennel is another natural breast milk production booster. Studies suggest that fennel can be effective at boosting your milk supply. This ingredient works great at increasing the production of the prolactin hormone. Prolactin is a crucial and essential element in the breastfeeding journey. Insufficient prolactin in the body can lead to a low milk supply.
Oats
most moms say that oats help them increase their milk supply. Oats are nutrient-rich food with good amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. They are also rich in fiber that can come in handy to prevent constipation, which most new moms struggle with. Besides, oats are packed with iron which is thought to increase milk supply. Low iron levels can interfere with efficient breastmilk production.
Flaxseeds
Many people know flaxseeds because of their estrogenic properties. The estrogenic properties assist breastfeeding moms in producing more milk for their babies. Flaxseeds come in two forms, flaxseeds oil and whole flaxseeds. The former is more preferred for use in lactation cookies than the latter.
Barley:
Barley is packed with beta-glucan, a nutrient component that stimulates the production of prolactin hormone. It also contains fiber, iron, manganese, and selenium, all crucial elements in breast milk. Barley (sprouted barley grains) can also be used to make malt syrup. Malt syrup is rich in beta-glucan and can be an excellent substitute for maple syrup or honey.
Brewer’s yeast
Brewer’s yeast is popular among breastfeeding mothers struggling with low milk supply, as it’s thought to be a natural milk booster. Mothers should limit their consumption of this ingredient to no more than three tablespoons per day.
Note that some moms report having suffered migraines when taking brewer’s yeast, while others report that their kids became fussy or gassy when they consumed it.
How Many Lactation Cookies Should You Eat Per Day?
The question of how many lactation cookies to eat daily depends on the cookies. Are they homemade or store-bought? If the cookies are from a company or store-bought, they should come with recommendations from the manufacturer about how many should one consume in a day. However, if they’re homemade, the general rule is to start with two cookies per day. Then you can make your way upwards, depending on their efficiency.
How Long Does It Take For Lactation Cookies To Produce Effects
Generally, most breastmilk-promoting ingredients take varying lengths to produce effects. For example, oats take as little as two hours before you can see results. However, other ingredients like fennel and brewer’s yeast take24-48 hours to see results. Flaxseed oil and whole flaxseeds can take up to seven days before seeing their impact.
Another thing to remember is that you need to take lactation cookies consistently to see results. Taking the cookies for some days and skipping others will not get you the results you need or expect. While eating them once will never be sufficient to bring a noticeable effect on your supply. So, ensure you take the cookies daily and be consistent. This way, you’ll be certain they’re working or not.
Conclusion
Lactation cookies are an excellent and natural way of boosting your breastmilk supply. For best results, eat these cookies as soon as you give birth. Be consistent, and you’ll see improvements. If you still struggle with breastmilk even after consuming them, consult a lactation specialist to help you on the right way forward.