Let’s talk about these lactation cookies.

Ever since I saw the Pink Stork Lactation Cookie Mix on the shelf at the store, I was intrigued. Baking
mixes are always so… disappointing to me. Just add water? Just add blah. But when you’re a new mom, or let’s face it, a caregiver of children at any age, convenience is a huge bonus. With these cookies, you need two simple ingredients and no measuring. A whole stick of butter, and a large egg. That’s it. The hardest part is mixing it together and remembering to preheat the oven. What is a “Lactation Cookie?” They made the mix with seven “Key Galactagogues and Superfoods.” Which means? These ingredients support your breastmilk supply. Are they going to make you start lactating if you’re not already? No. Hormones trigger lactation, but what we consume can support increased milk production, or reduce our milk production.

Anyway, here’s the good stuff inside the cookies:

• Shatavari – Had to do a little Googling on this one. What I found out: it’s part of the asparagus family, and what’s called an “adaptogenic herb.” Adaptogenic herbs supposed to be able to help your body deal with both physical and emotional stress. It sounds like an ideal herb for postpartum to me! Note: The cookies had zero asparagus-y flavor.
• Marshmallow Root - Marshmallow root has many interesting properties, such as being traditionally used to boost the immune system and restore gut health, but it’s recently been found to have the potential to also boost milk supply.
• Milk Thistle – Silymarin, which is the main active component of milk thistle, is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Milk thistle has also been used for thousands of years to increase milk production.
• Blessed Thistle – This herb used to be used as a treatment for the bubonic plague! Now, it’s commonly used to increase breast milk production and ease digestive symptoms.
• Anise – Another traditional galactagogue. Note: Anise is NOT the same as star anise, which is not safe for breastfeeding.
• Alfalfa – Alfalfa has been cultivated for a very long time, back to early Roman, Greek, and Chinese civilizations. It’s been used medicinally and as a food source and has been used by breastfeeding mothers to support their lactation for just as long.
• Brewer’s Yeast – This is the one I’ve heard talked about most often, it’s also found in dark beers. However, if you’re gluten-free, beer isn’t going to be a great option. Hooray for Pink Stork Lactation
  Cookies!

The Taste

Pink Stork’s Lactation Cookie Mix tastes just like homemade oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips. They used these tiny little chips for, what I think, was just the perfect morsel per bite. The texture is great, my kids loved them, too. The only thing I’d do differently next time is to make the cookies themselves smaller. I only made 12 total, 24 is what it should’ve been according to the package.

Did it help boost my milk supply? I have no idea. But I’ll definitely be recommending them to friends.
They’re super easy, super tasty, and have awesome ingredients that have been traditionally used for years to support breastfeeding moms.

The Pros:
- Gluten-free
- Delicious
- Super easy to make

The Cons:
- They’re not dairy-free
- You have to mix it
- Other people in your family will eat them