01/23/2026
Anyone who has struggled with breastmilk supply has heard someone recommend “lactation cookies” as a remedy. These pricy treats are often marketed to help improve supply.
A study finally addressed this question. This study published in March 2023 was a randomized controlled trial (the highest quality research design) that examined whether lactation cookies actually cause an increase in breastmilk supply (see link in bio to read the full study).
This study included 176 mothers with exclusively breastfeeding 2-month-old infants. Participants were randomly assigned to eat “lactation cookies” with oatmeal, brewer’s yeast, flax seeds, and fenugreek or regular cookies every day for one month. They found NO significant differences between groups in the amount of milk produced, in the mothers’ perception of milk supply, or in how effective the mothers felt at breastfeeding. The specific cookies they used were Oatmeal Raisin Milkmakers® Lactation Cookie Bites.
TRANSLATION: You can probably save your money because lactation cookies are unlikely to increase your milk supply. Instead focus on ways supported by research such as frequent and on-demand breastfeeding, pumping after breastfeeding, and a LOT of skin-to-skin contact.
All information provided by Parenting Translator Foundation — parentingtranslator.org
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