Food for the boobs

I’ve been breastfeeding Milla since she was 10 minutes old… I’ve been lucky not to have had too many problems, being blessed with a good supply (I’m a ‘good cow’ according to one Child Health Nurse). But, as all Mums do, I’ve worried at times whether she is drinking enough. Since Milla started solids, she’s been less interested in the boobies, and more interested in mango and pear… it’s a struggle some days to get her to drink.  So, fearing my supply would drop, yesterday I decided to bake the famous ‘breastfeeding cookies’ that are claimed to get you back to your full leaking potential once more…

I am a fan of a crisp and crunchy flat bikkie myself, not really going for the cakey rock biscuit style. But despite their appearance, these are really good! And very easy to make, which is crucial when you are doing it one-handed.  It’s the oats, flax and yeast which have the milk-making qualities I am told.  There are lots of ingredients, but don’t freak out – it mostly all gets mixed in together, and its super quick.  Brewers yeast is found in the home-brew section of supermarkets, you must use this type, not regular bread-making yeast. Flax seed is in the health food section.  I halved the recipe, and it made about 30 decent sized bikkies.

So, does it work? I think it does.  Certainly beats porridge and stout. I don’t know how many you have to eat, but since I ate three while they were still warm and crunchy, and another two later on, five seems to do the trick just fine. My lovely milkless husband also ate five, and is yet to report back on any mammary leakage….!

Breastfeeding cookies

* 1 cup butter (225g)
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 4 tablespoons water
* 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal*
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 cups plain flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 3 cups oats
* 1 cup chocolate chips
* 2 tablespoons of brewers yeast* (be generous)

Preheat oven 190 degrees. Mix together flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well. Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the butter mix. Beat until blended. Sift together dry ingredients, except oats and chips. Add to butter mixture. Stir in oats then chips. Scoop or drop onto baking sheet, lined with baking paper.

Bake 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies.

*put flaxseeds in a food processor to make your own meal if you can’t see it in the shops.