This question is certainly in the top 5 list of questions I get asked as a lactation consultant!
“Do (lactation cookies, gatorade, etc) increase milk supply?”
As simple as it would be to eat a cookie and end up with the milk supply of our dreams, unfortunately it doesn’t work like that. As milk supply is a supply and demand based system bound to many hormonal and physical demands necessary to establish a full supply, you can’t eat your way there. A holistic evaluation needs to occur when signs of low milk supply are at play, but many moms end up online reading through the many loud online voices directing us on what worked for them and what to do, even if that information is not valid for their specific situation and their specific baby/milk supply. If you suspect or know you are struggling with low milk supply, working with an IBCLC is what I would highly recommend to be your ally in determining what the cause of your low milk supply truly is.
Now with that being said, if you are someone who wants a recipe that includes some galactagogues (fancy word for foods that are nutrient dense in such a way that they are shown to provide a bit of support in milk production), then stick around!
In scouring the recipes online I stumbled upon this one! I love that this recipe uses not only a robust serving of oats but, also, oat flour! The second robust ingredient is the brewers yeast included in most lactation cookie recipes. You can find the recipe here: https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/lactation-cookies/#wprm-recipe-container-46145
Oats are shown to support the milk making process with beta-glucan which is found in oats. Beta-glucan is a type of fiber that can raise the levels of the prolactin, breastfeeding hormone. Higher prolactin levels can have a positive effect on breast milk production!
Brewers yeast is another common supplement used to support milk making. However, there aren’t enough studies on this supplement to definitively say that it supports those claims. What I often see, however, is that the nutritional value of brewers yeast does have an overall positive effect on nutrition in general during a time (the fourth trimester, the body recovering from birth) that the woman’s body needs a lot more nutritional support to recover. Brewer’s yeast is rich in protein and iron. Low iron levels have been linked to breastfeeding issues. It’s also a good source of B vitamins and trace minerals, like selenium and chromium, all of which can support breast milk quality and production.
This is the same supporting idea behind Gatorade, or more commonly now the Body Armour drinks. Many women are deficient in electrolytes anyways and rolling into breastfeeding and recovering from birth taxes the woman’s body further. We often see that “boost” in supply when implementing any electrolyte supplement during this time. If you want to support your body and a good electrolyte drink to aid in milk production, my professional recommendation is to regularly drink Coconut Water.
Again, should you be dealing with low milk supply, your first line of defense is working with an IBCLC in getting to the root! I support many families with this struggle virtually as we work through the many factors that can influence low milk supply. For families in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, we can schedule in-person appointments to evaluate your concerns!