Sarah gave me the best lactation bars recipe after I had my second child and I have to make sure that everyone has this recipe! The bars have several ingredients to help increase milk production in breastfeeding moms, but they are also a healthy sweet treat that's packed with good stuff and delicious for anyone. My boys (ages 2 and 3) think that they are cookies and they love making them with me. These snacks are perfect for new moms with babies who are literally sucking the nutrients out of them. As a nursing mom myself, I have a few in my fridge right now and I just took a batch to my sweet friend and client who had her baby last week. They {most of the time} curb my cravings for other indulgences like ice cream, brownies, or cookies.
Here's the recipe:
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
- 1-1.5 teaspoons brewer’s yeast (too much can make them bitter)
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup nut butter (I use peanut butter)
- 1 scant cup dates (I use raisins because I can't overcome the cockroach appearance of dates)
- splash of vanilla
- 1 tablespoon sweetened cocoa
- 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Blend everything except chocolate chips in a food processor. Coconut oil will melt during the process and firm up again when chilled. Stir in chocolate chips and press into a pan lined with parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours and then cut into bars or squares with a sharp knife. Keep chilled in freezer or refrigerator.
Sometimes people ask – you can get brewer’s yeast at Whole Foods.
Double the recipe to keep a batch for yourself and take a batch to a hungry new mama!