To be clear, no ‘special foods’ will dramatically improve your milk supply, if you’re having supply issues then focus on baby’s latch, your hydration and your nutrition overall - but good quality, wholefood snacks will support your system in many ways.

As part of my support I make my birth and postpartum clients snacks to support their recovery and breastfeeding - they are so yummy that I am regularly asked for the recipes so I thought I’d publish them here in one place!

I make double batches of both of these recipes - they do freeze really well but actually don’t last long enough in my house to need freezing ;)

BEST EVER LACTATION SLICE

This slice does have a fair bit of sugar in it, although it is balanced by a lot of nutrient dense ingredients. If you need to limit your sugar for whatever reason consider reducing the amount in the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 125g butter

• 125g natural crunchy peanut butter

• 150g coconut sugar (or raw sugar or brown sugar)

• 75g honey

• 150g rolled oats

• 50g pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

• 50g sesame seeds

• 50g dessicated coconut

• 1 tbsp LSA mix

• 3 tbsp brewer’s yeast

• 100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

METHOD

• Grease and line the bottom and sides of a 20cm square baking tin. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees celsius.

• Put the butter, peanut butter, sugar and honey into a LARGE pot and gently melt until all sugar is dissolved.

• Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix evenly.

• Pour into the prepared baking tin and flatten with the back of a wet tablespoon, being sure to push mixture into all the corners. Bake for 30 minutes.

• Cool on a rack, leaving it in the tin until it has completely cooled. Preferably overnight but a few hours is usually fine. Remove from tin and cut into small bars (this snack is quite rich so not much is required for a satisfying snack).

• Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

YUMMY LACTATION COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup stewed apples

• ½ cup maple syrup (or honey)

• ½ cup coconut oil, melted

• 2 tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter)

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats

• ½ cup wholemeal or gluten free, plain flour

• 3 tbsp brewer’s yeast (NOT baker's yeast!)

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ cup cranberries or sultanas

• ½ cup chocolate chips

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 180C degrees.

• Blend the apples, egg and vanilla extract

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours (I often leave them overnight). Drop small tablespoons of mixture on lined baking trays. Bake for 12-15 minutes

• Store in an airtight container and enjoy!