Need to boost your breast milk production fast? Try these Lactation Brownies, an easy dessert that helps increase milk production with added ingredients like coconut milk, Brewer’s yeast, and oatmeal!
I’m going to start off by saying that Lactation Brownies aren’t something I ever dreamed I’d be putting on my blog. But here we are and I’m not sorry.
Thanks to a handful of extra ingredients, these fudgy Lactation Brownies are not only delicious but can result in increased milk supply.
Let me say that I am not a medical professional and if you have serious concerns about your milk supply, please seek out a lactation consultant to make sure there isn’t a larger issue.
Also, please note that lactation treats or food of any kinds have not been scientifically proven to increase supply.
However, since I started eating one brownie per day, along with my oatmeal in the morning (this is the kind I eat) and a blue Gatorade during the day, my milk production has doubled.
It started going up when I was eating my lactation cookies, but these brownies really pack a punch.
Maybe it’s a placebo effect… but I’m not complaining because in my case it has worked and I get brownies!
What Are They?
In this case, they’re a box mix that’s been souped-up with a few additional galactagogues that have been said to help increase a mother’s milk supply.
When To Eat Them:
If you’re looking to increase your supply, lactation brownies could be a good option to try and do so. But I recommend speaking with a lactation consultant as well to make sure there isn’t a large issue.
In my case, I’m exclusively pumping so I’m able to measure how much milk I’m producing each day, unlike a mother who primarily nurses.
However, I don’t want to be attached to the pump forever, some days it feels like my life revolves around it.
So in my case, my goal was to create an oversupply to make a large freezer stash so I can stop pumping after a few months but still provide my daughter with breastmilk for several months after that.
How To Make Them
These lactation brownies are super easy to make and they are often referred to as emergency lactation brownies because they’re made from a box brownie mix.
You’ll begin with the box mix itself and then whatever amount of vegetable oil is called for and either 1 or 2 eggs depending on whether or not you want a fudgy or cake-like consistency.
You’ll also add a touch of vanilla and some chocolate chips if there aren’t any already in the box mix.
Next, we’re going to add in the magic stuff:
Coconut Milk – Replace any called for milk or water on the box with a 1/2 cup of coconut milk (in the carton, not the can). Coconut milk is very hydrating and will assist with milk production.
Old Fashioned Oatmeal – A lot of lactation consultants recommend adding oatmeal to your diet, usually as a breakfast, but it doesn’t hurt to sneak it into your dessert either.
Brewer’s Yeast – This stuff has tons of health benefits from nutritional value to helping fight the baby blues, read about them on Verywell Family!
Ground Flaxseed – Flaxseed has phytoestrogens that can influence breast milk production.
Collagen Peptides – Okay, so this product isn’t a milk supply booster, it’s more just another beneficial product for new moms. Collagen peptides contain the same amino acids as gelatin which is identical to the protein found in skin, nails, hair, bones, cartilage, and joints. I recommend taking this to help with postpartum hair loss.
How Fast Do They Work?
In my case, I started noticing an increase in supply the next day, some say they work soon and others it takes a little longer.
Can You Freeze Them?
You sure can! Feel free to whip up a batch and put half in the freezer. Enjoy the first half for the next few days and when you run out, pull the others out and let them thaw on the counter before enjoying.
If you’re making these in advance, say before the baby even arrives, just so it’s one last thing you need to worry about, bake the brownies and let them cool. Slice and wrap the brownies individually in plastic wrap then put in a large freezer bag for up to 3 months.
So there you have it, an easy recipe for lactation brownies that will hopefully help boost your milk supply and be a welcome treat during the trying (but beautiful) baby stage.
Also, you burn 20 calories for every ounce of milk you express, so you can feel a little less guilty about indulging!
Lactation Brownies
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Lactation Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 box Fudge Brownie Mix*
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or according to box directions
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
- 1/4 cup brewer’s yeast
- 1/4 cup collagen peptides
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips*
Instructions
- Preheat oven according to package directions.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients until fully combined. Pour brownie batter into a 9×9-inch baking dish and bake according to package directions.
Notes
- Choose whatever boxed brownie mix you’d like. I’ve made this recipe with 5 different varieties, all with similar results.
- Do not add water.
- Coconut milk is the kind in the carton in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, not the canned kind.
- You can use 2 eggs instead of 1 if you prefer more cake-like brownies.
- Collagen peptides are optional.
- Chocolate chips can be omitted in box mixes that already have them in it.
- Coconut Milk – Replace any called for milk or water on the box with a 1/2 cup of coconut milk (in the carton, not the can). Coconut milk is very hydrating and will assist with milk production.
- Old Fashioned Oatmeal – A lot of lactation consultants recommend adding oatmeal to your diet, usually as a breakfast, but it doesn’t hurt to sneak it into your dessert either.
- Brewer’s Yeast – This stuff has tons of health benefits from nutritional value to helping fight the baby blues.
- Ground Flaxseed – Flaxseed has phytoestrogens that can influence breast milk production.
- Collagen Peptides – Okay, so this product isn’t a milk supply booster, it’s more just another beneficial product for new moms. Collagen peptides contain the same amino acids as gelatin which is identical to the protein found in skin, nails, hair, bones, cartilage, and joints. I recommend taking this to help with postpartum hair loss.
Ravinder says
Absolutely love this recipe . I’ve tried a few lactation brownie recipes and all of them turned out so dry but this was was super delish . I just made them today so I don’t know how it will help boost my supply yet , but I’m hoping they work . I just had 2 pieces and I cut the 8×8 pan into 16 pieces . I also used canned coconut milk and it still came out great . I also used my food processor to make my rolled outs into more of a flour so it wouldn’t be chunky . I normally pump I between 2 to 3 ounces total in between feedings for my 4 month old . I’ll post back to update on if there was an increase .
Rebecca Hubbell says
I hope you find them helpful!!
Ravinder says
Hi , Can I use olive oil if I don’t have coconut oil ?
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’ve never tried it. The coconut oil is what helps with lactation so I would recommend using that if possible.
Jazmine Moreaux says
I accidentally bought organic golden flaxseed! Is this okay? It didn’t match the amazon picture lol!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Jazmine, as long as it’s flaxseed meal and not whole flax seeds it should be fine!
Ann says
Hi Rebecca, do you think I can use steel cut oatmeal instead of rolled oats? Looking forward to making these.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Ann, My concern with steel cut oats is that they wouldn’t get very soft and might result in a less than desirable texture.
Sarah says
I don’t have any coconut water or coconut milk 🙁 the stores are not open now either. Do I just use water if instructed ?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Sarah, you can use water or milk 🙂
Rachel says
I’m making these today! Currently I pump about 2 oz total – every two hours (combined from both breasts, NOT 2 oz per breast), my daughter will be 5 weeks old on Tues (6/2/2020) And she is eating like CRAZY! I used to have a backstock of milk then I stopped pumping cause I felt I had a cushion with all the extra milk. Unfortunately this caused my output of milk to decrease and now I kid you not she is drinking soooooo much! She has been drinking about 4 oz every 2 to 3 hours. So she’s basically drinking as I pump. I’d like to increase my breast milk output again so I don’t have to be feeding her as I pump, I’ll update my post to let you guys know if I see an increase in my breast milk production 😊 Also I tasted the batter before I put the brownie pan in the oven and it was tasty! Not too bitter which I was a tiny bit worried about (cause of the brewer’s yeast)
Rebecca Hubbell says
I hope you enjoy them!
Ravinder says
Any luck Rachel ?
Ife says
Trying this recipe tonight am super excited. I hope it really helps with my milk supply. Am exclusively breastfeeding and I mostly feed on demand. I hardly pump but will like to start pumping soon to start saving for when I go back to work .when I do pump I barely get 3 ounce though my baby is only 6 weeks old. Thank you for the recipe.
Jen says
I just made these today, hope they work for me. Have 5 week old twins and my supply has really dwindled down since they’re mostly formula fed due to the birth weight loss they endured from my supply not coming in until days later. I left out the collagen and chocolate chips. They are so super yummy, it’s really hard not to eat them all in one sitting.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Jen, I’m so glad you like them and I hope they help too! Also, power pumping and water will go a long way too!
Meloney says
If I don’t have coconut milk can I use coconut water?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Meloney, Yes, coconut water should work great as a substitute!
Diamante Krushall says
What if I used canned coconut milk will it still help?
Rebecca Hubbell says
I believe so, but I’ve never made the recipe with it so I can’t say how it will impact the texture.
Julie says
Hi! I haven’t made these yet but I’ve made others from scratch and something I like to do is grind up the oats first. It hides them a bit more which I like.
Thanks for the recipe!
Rebecca Hubbell says
A great idea!
Melissa says
I can’t wait to make these! Do you think they’ll freeze well? I’d like to have them ready before baby comes.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Melissa, yes they should! Bake them, allow them to cool completely, then cut and wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag. Remove any excess air and freeze. Pull them out as needed and thaw on the counter.
Michelle says
Could you use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil for this recipe?
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m sure you could, although I’ve never tried it. Just make sure it’s in a liquid state first 🙂
Aimee says
What if unable to drink coconut milk what can you use instead
Rebecca Hubbell says
I would use Oat Milk instead. The coconut milk is super hydrating but since oatmeal is good for nursing mamas I think oat milk is the next best option!
Sara says
Hey there! If my box brownie mix doesn’t require milk, do I just add the coconut milk anyways? Or do you mean to substitute whatever milk OR water it calls for?
Also, I like making brownie brittle (just really thin brownies, that you can snack on like chips throughout the day) do you think this would work for this recipe? My thoughts are that it might be too thick and will burn? Thanks in advance! I’m super excited to try them!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Sara, yes, you will use the amount of vegetable oil indicated on the back of the brownie mix but you will add the 1/2 cup of coconut milk regardless. Do not add any additional ingredients indicated on the back of the box, just the ones listed in the recipe. Unfortunately, I don’t think this recipe will work well as a brittle becaues the oatmeal makes it really hearty.
Amanda says
If I do not use the peptides, do I have to substitute or change anything with the recipe?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Nope, they can just be left out!