50 Super Delicious Lactation Boosting Recipes For Nursing Moms (2024)

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By The Gentle Nursery Published: March 21, 2020 Updated: November 1, 2023
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I’ve compiled a list of 50 of the best, tried and tested, super tasty lactation boosting recipes for mamas who are looking for some lactation support.

Table of Contents

Top 3 tips for a healthy milk supply

1. Feed baby on-demand

Feeding your baby on a schedule is one of the most common mistakes new moms make that reduces their milk supply. If you want to establish a healthy milk supply, you need to feed your baby on demand!

Your milk production and supply are highly dependent upon how much milk your baby actually needs and gets.

Feeding-on-demand does take some preparation and getting used to because babies do nurse very frequently, especially as newborns (think 8-12+ times per DAY).

Note: I was so not prepared for this with my first baby…in fact, it’s one of the things that totally shocked me as a new breastfeeding mama.

For a healthy supply, feed your baby as soon as you recognize the first signs of hunger. Your body logs all of these signs and will adjust your supply accordingly to meet baby’s needs.

**This post may contain affiliate links. I am NOT a licensed medical professional. Everything you read here is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional.

2. Empty your breasts

Make sure your breast are fully emptied. Your milk production and supply are highly dependent upon how much milk your baby actually needs and gets.

Not emptying the breast you are feeding from can cause a drop in your milk supply.

I would also encourage using a lactation massager during each nursing session to not only improve your milk flow and clear up clogged ducts, but to help fully empty your breasts.

If you’re dealing with a breast milk oversupply issue (like me) and are wanting to lower your milk production, the method I described above may not be suitable for you. Make sure you speak to a Certified Lactation Consultant.

3. Drink your water & add galactagogues to your diet

You should drink at least half your body weight (lbs) in ounces. So if you weigh 150lbs, aim to drink 75oz. of water daily.

If this seems like a lot, a giant water bottle makes it super easy…Plus breastfeeding does tend to make you make you VERY THIRSTY so you should have no issues getting all your water in.

Aside from water, having a galactogue-rich diet can help improve your milk supply. Below are 50 of the best lactation-boosting recipes to help give you a healthy milk supply!

50 Delicious Lactation Boosting Recipes For Nursing Moms

Lactation Cookie Recipes

If you’re like me and can eat a batch of cookies day after day, you’ll love these lactation boosting recipes featuring some of the best cookie recipes to turn you into a milk making machine!

Dark Chocolate Lactation Cookies from How Sweet Eats
Easy Oatmeal Pudding Lactation Cookies from Milkology
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies from I Can Cook That
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies from Thrifty Nifty Mom
Easy No Bake Lactation Cookies for Nursing Moms from It’s a Mother Thing
Carrot Cake Lactation Breakfast Cookies from A Healthy Slice Of Life
Oatmeal Raisin lactation cookies from The Best Ideas For Kids
Oatmeal Chocolate Lactation Cookies from Bunsen Burner Bakery
Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Lactation Bites from Milkology
Date & Oat Lactation Energy Bites from Detoxinista
Cranberry & White Chocolate Lactation Cookies from Mums With Bubs
Chocolate Chip Toffee Lactation Cookies from Mama Loves Food
Chocolate Chip Sea Salt Lactation Cookies from Ambitious Cookies
Gluten-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies from The Toasted Pinenut
Apple Pie Lactation Cookies from Love Our Littles
M&M No-Bake Lactation Bites from Exclusive Pumping

Lactation Brownie Recipes

Grab you a glass of milk and enjoy these lactation boosting recipes featuring some of the gooiest and most chocolatey-boobie loving brownie recipes.

Easy Lactation Brownies from Tula Mama
Lactation Brownie Boobie Bites from A Daily Dose Of Moms
Lactation Brownies from Sugar and Soul
Loaded Lactation Brownies from That’s Lindsay With An A

Lactation Muffin Recipes

Irresistible Pumpkin Spice Lactation Muffins from Love Our Littles
Banana Oat Mufins Lactation Muffins (without Brewer’s yeast) from Love & Other Spices
Blueberry Oatmeal Lactation Muffins from What MJ Loves
5-Ingredient Pumpkin Lactation Muffins from Milkology
Chocolate Chip Lactation Muffins from Exclusive Pumping
Banana Chip Lactation Muffins from Amanda Fontenot

Lactation Smoothie Recipes

Summer is right around the corner! The following lactation-boosting recipes feature some of the best refreshing and delicious lactation smoothies to help boost milk supply.

Strawberry Banana Lactation Smoothie from Exclusively Pumping
Delicious Blueberry Based Lactation Smoothie (that isn’t fattening) from Bun Maternity
Chocolate Lactation Smoothie from Making Of Mom
Peanut Butter Apple Pie Lactation Smoothie from We’re Parents
Papaya Boobie Smoothie from Jillian Harris
Pumpkin Spice Lactation Smoothie from Mama Thrive Wellness Co.
Mango Madness Lactation Smoothie from Vigor It Out
Superfood Lactation Smoothie From Damy Health
Carrot Cake Vegan Lactation Smoothie from Abbey’s Kitchen
Tropical Pink Lactation Smoothie from Joyful Messes
Green Lactation Smoothie from Detoxinista
The Perfect Green Lactation Smoothie From The Postpartum Cure
Quick Results Lactation Smoothie from Swaddles N’ Bottles
Banana Oat Lactation Smoothie from Pregnant Mama Baby Life
Coconut, Banana, and Oat Lactation Smoothie from Healthy Mummy
The Best Lactation Smoothie from Breast Pump Expert
Chocolate & Banana Boobie Smoothie from Stay At Home Mum

Lactation Breakfast Foods

Need I say more?

Blueberry Lemon Lactation Pancakesfrom Hunger Thirst Play
Triple Berry Lactation Waffles from Bucket List Tummy
Lactation Pancake Bites from The Lactation Nutritionist
Lactation Boosting Oatmeal Pancakes from Freshly Moms
Overnight Brownie Batter Chocolate Oats from The Little Nest
Lactation Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips from Exclusive Pumping
Overnight Peanut Butter and Honey Lactation Oats from Swaddles N’ Bottles
Blueberry Brown Sugar Overnight Lactation Oats from Thyme and Joy

50 Super Delicious Lactation Boosting Recipes For Nursing Moms (2024)

FAQs

What should nursing mothers eat to produce more milk? ›

What foods should I eat while breastfeeding? Focus on making healthy choices to help fuel your milk production. Opt for protein-rich foods, such as lean meat, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils and seafood low in mercury. Choose a variety of whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables.

Read On ›

How can I increase my milk supply super fast? ›

Increasing Your Milk Supply

Breastfeed every time your baby is hungry. ...
Make sure your baby is latching well.
Offer both breasts at each feeding. ...
Empty your breasts at each feeding. ...
Avoid bottles and pacifiers in the early weeks. ...
Get plenty of sleep, and eat a healthy diet.
Pump or express your milk. ...
Relax and massage.

More items...

Find Out More ›

What is the best way for a nursing mother to increase her milk supply? ›

Nursing your baby often. Nurse every 2 hours during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night (at least 8 to 16 times in 24 hours). If your baby will not nurse, use a good quality double electric breast pump to increase milk production. Pumping after breastfeeding signals your body to produce more milk.

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Which drink increase breast milk? ›

Herbal Teas (e.g., fenugreek, nettle, fennel)

Research Evidence: Adding fenugreek to your diet (either as a tea or supplement) has been shown to increase milk production, especially in the early days of breastfeeding. Recommendation: Enjoy a cup of herbal tea (fenugreek, nettle, or fennel) daily.

Read The Full Story ›

Which fruit increase breast milk? ›

Watermelon: Loaded with fiber, water, and fructose, watermelon (alternatively, coconut) ensures hydration and also infuses essential minerals that help maintain/increase breast milk supply. 3. Carrots: Though there is no proven evidence of the same, carrots are believed to help with boosting lactation.

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Will pumping every 2 hours increase milk supply? ›

Pump more often, from both breasts

A general guideline is to pump every three hours. But if you're trying to produce more breast milk, you can: Try pumping both breasts for 15 minutes every two hours for 48-72 hours. Then, go back to your normal pumping routine.

Learn More Now ›

How quickly do breasts refill? ›

To put a number on it, it usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes after feeding to generate enough milk for your baby, and about 60 minutes to replenish fully. The more often your baby feeds, and the more they empty your breasts, the more milk your body will produce.

Read The Full Story ›

Can you increase breast milk in one day? ›

Increasing your milk supply is probably going to take a little time. Through pumping and hand expression, you'll likely be able to get more milk out of your breasts immediately, but it may take several days to see a large increase in your breast milk supply.

What can I give my baby if no breast milk? ›

Start weaning by replacing one breast milk feeding a day with a bottle of infant formula (for your child younger than 12 months old) or with a cup of plain whole cow's milk or fortified unsweetened soy beverage (for your child 12 months or older). Continue to replace more breast milk feedings over time.

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Does cranberry juice increase milk supply? ›

Summary of Use during Lactation

It has no specific lactation-related uses. Cranberries appear to increase the milk content of polyphenols and total antioxidant capacity. Cranberry preparations are well tolerated as a food, although stomach discomfort and diarrhea can occur with large doses.

Does cinnamon increase breast milk supply? ›

2. Cinnamon: Cinnamon helps to increase the flow of mother's milk. It will also help in delaying periods after childbirth. A pinch of cinnamon should be added to half a teaspoon of honey or to a glass of warm milk and consumed.

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Does drinking water increase breast milk? ›

Although drinking more fluids won't help you produce more milk, it will keep you from becoming dehydrated – which is just as important. Symptoms of dehydration can include headache, fatigue, and constipation. Most nursing moms should aim to drink a total of 2.5 to 3 quarts of water a day.

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Why is my milk supply low? ›

Possible causes of low supply

Nearly all babies need to feed at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Your baby does not feed effectively at the breast. You have started using formula milk as well as breastfeeding. You have had breast surgery that is effecting your milk supply.