There’s no evidence cookies can help with lactation

IF you’re a new mom, you’ve probably come across lactation cookies. Perhaps women in your mothers group are talking about them or you’ve seen them on the shelves while out shopping?

Breast-feeding mothers almost all question their milk supply at one time or another, and will look for solutions to ensure their milk flow is meeting baby’s needs.

Lactation cookies, or biscuits, aren’t going to do women any harm. But there’s no evidence they can promote milk flow, either.

Galactogogues

Galactogogues is the word used to describe foods or drugs that promote or increase the flow of a mother’s breast milk.

There’s an ever-expanding range of galactagogues available. Many are herbal products (like milk thistle, goats rue and fenugreek), special foods (like cookies) or medications (such as domperidone and metoclopramide).

Studies have established these medications, particularly domperidone, are effective. They work by increasing levels of prolactin, the hormone that helps with milk production. But little evidence exists to support specific foods to increase milk supply.

Some companies make “lactation cookies” and sell them either online or in stores. They cost in the range of A$2 (R20) to A$3 a biscuit. There are also a myriad recipes available online to bake at home.

Lactation cookies have common ingredients such as oats, flaxseed and brewer’s yeast.

Scientific evidence suggesting the ingredients are effective in increasing milk supply is lacking. Studies of this nature would be difficult to run. Scientists would need to follow a large number of lactating women, control their diets and measure the amount of breast milk they express over a period. Determining the most effective dose of the cookies would also need to be trialled.

They won’t do any harm

As long as the biscuits aren’t substituting for a healthy range of foods, they are safe to eat. They might give some women a confidence boost that could assist in stressing less, and helping to increase milk production.

A study into the use of herbal supplements in breast-feeding identified confidence as an important reason for using the products.

The simplest way to produce more milk is to feed more often, as the body responds to increased feeding by increasing prolactin and hence milk production.

Women who are concerned about low milk supply should consult a health professional who will provide appropriate support to optimise breast-feeding.