Do Lactation Cookies Really Work? The Science Behind the Ingredients
✍️ Written by Talissa, Founder of Made to Milk | Tasmanian-based lactation treat brand trusted by 120,000+ Australian mums. ROAR Awards Silver Winner 2023. Hunter Business Awards Finalist.
If you're a breastfeeding mum, chances are someone has mentioned lactation cookies to you. But with so much conflicting information out there, it's completely reasonable to ask: do they actually work, or is it just clever marketing?
I started Made to Milk because I experienced firsthand how much the right nutrition can support a breastfeeding journey — and how hard it is to find products that are both effective and genuinely delicious. Since then, we've supported over 120,000 Australian mums, and the question we're asked most often is still: "But do they really work?"
The honest answer is: the evidence is promising, and growing. Lactation cookies aren't magic — no food is — but they do contain specific ingredients called galactagogues that have been studied for their role in supporting milk production. Here's what the science actually says.
What Are Galactagogues?
Galactagogues (pronounced gal-AK-ta-gogs) are foods, herbs or medications that are believed to support or increase breast milk supply. The word comes from the Greek "galakt", meaning milk.
They've been used across cultures for centuries — long before clinical trials existed. Modern research is now beginning to catch up, with several well-known galactagogue foods showing genuinely encouraging results, particularly oats, brewer's yeast and flaxseed. You can read more about galactagogues on the Australian Breastfeeding Association website.
The Key Ingredients in Made to Milk Lactation Cookies — and What They Do
Every Made to Milk lactation cookie is built around three core galactagogue ingredients. Here's what the research says about each one.
1. Oats — Iron, Beta-Glucan and Prolactin
Oats are one of the best plant-based sources of iron, and research has directly linked low postpartum iron levels to reduced milk supply. A widely cited study published in PubMed (Henly et al., 1995) found that anaemic first-time mothers were significantly more likely to report insufficient milk syndrome. By supporting healthy iron levels, oats may indirectly support the body's ability to produce milk.
Oats also contain beta-glucan, a soluble fibre found in studies to be associated with increased prolactin — the hormone directly responsible for triggering milk production. While most of the beta-glucan research has focused on barley (the richest source), oats are the next highest dietary source, and a double-blind study found that mothers given a barley glucan supplement produced significantly more milk than those given a placebo (95mL vs 62.5mL on day 14). You can review that study and the ongoing BLOOM randomised controlled trial — the first of its kind investigating brewer's yeast and beta-glucan in lactating mothers — for more detail on where this research is headed.
2. Flaxseed — Omega-3s and Phytoestrogens
Flaxseed contains lignans — a type of phytoestrogen (plant compound that can interact with oestrogen receptors in the body). Flaxseed contains up to 800 times more lignans than most other plant foods. While direct evidence for flaxseed increasing milk volume is limited, its benefits for breastfeeding mums are well established in other ways.
Research shows that consuming flaxseed increases the concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in breast milk — a precursor to DHA, which is critical for infant brain development. So even if the milk volume evidence is still emerging, the nutritional quality benefit is real. You can review the NIH LactMed database entry on flaxseed for a thorough overview of the current evidence.
The American Academy of Pediatrics considers moderate consumption of phytoestrogen-rich foods, including flaxseed, safe for breastfeeding mothers and infants.
3. Brewer's Yeast — B Vitamins, Iron and Beta-Glucan
Brewer's yeast has been used as a traditional galactagogue for generations. It's rich in B vitamins (particularly B1, B2, B3 and B6), iron, chromium, selenium and protein — nutrients that many postpartum mothers are depleted in after pregnancy and birth.
It's worth being transparent here: robust clinical evidence specifically proving brewer's yeast increases milk volume in healthy term mothers is still limited. The NIH LactMed database notes that no large-scale human trials have yet confirmed the effect, though animal studies have shown promising results and the ingredient has a strong traditional use record.
Importantly, brewer's yeast also contains beta-glucan — the same compound found in oats that is associated with increased prolactin — which provides a plausible biological mechanism for why so many breastfeeding mums report noticing a difference. The BLOOM study mentioned above is specifically designed to provide the clinical evidence this ingredient deserves.
What the Research Really Says — An Honest Summary
We believe in being upfront with our community: the science on lactation cookies as a whole product is still developing. Most studies to date have been small, and not all galactagogue ingredients have equal levels of evidence behind them.
What we can say confidently is:
- Iron-rich foods like oats have a direct, research-backed connection to supporting milk supply in mothers with low iron.
- Beta-glucan from oats and barley has been associated with increased prolactin in multiple studies.
- Flaxseed demonstrably improves the nutritional quality of breast milk, even where volume effects are still being studied.
- Brewer's yeast is a nutrient-dense food with a strong traditional use history and a plausible biological mechanism — and major clinical trials are now underway to build the evidence base.
We also know this: over 120,000 Australian mums have used Made to Milk products on their breastfeeding journeys, and the feedback from our community is consistently positive. Lived experience matters — and it's what drives us to keep improving our recipes and to invest in the science behind what we make.
How to Get the Most Out of Lactation Cookies
Lactation cookies work best as part of a broader approach. Here are a few tips:
- Feed or pump regularly: Milk supply is driven by demand. The more frequently you feed or express, the more your body is signalled to produce. Lactation cookies support this process — they don't replace it. The Australian Breastfeeding Association recommends feeding on demand as the cornerstone of establishing supply.
- Stay well hydrated: Breast milk is approximately 87% water. Keeping a large water bottle nearby during feeds is a simple but powerful habit.
- Eat them consistently: Galactagogues work best when consumed regularly. Having one or two Made to Milk cookies daily as part of a balanced diet is more effective than eating a whole box in one sitting.
- Be patient: Most mums notice a difference within 2–5 days of consistent use, though every body is different. Give it at least a week before drawing conclusions.
- Combine with other galactagogue foods: Oat porridge, leafy greens, legumes and nuts are all supportive. Our lactation treats are a convenient part of the picture, not the whole solution.
Not All Lactation Cookies Are Created Equal
The effectiveness of any lactation cookie depends entirely on the quantity and quality of galactagogue ingredients it contains. Some products use such small amounts that they're unlikely to have any meaningful effect — essentially regular cookies with a wellness label.
Every Made to Milk recipe is formulated around meaningful, therapeutic amounts of oats, flaxseed and brewer's yeast. We also offer a full range of dietary options — including gluten free, dairy free and soy free varieties — because every breastfeeding mum deserves support, regardless of dietary requirements.
Not sure where to start? Our lactation cookie sample pack lets you try all four flavours before committing to a full box. And if you'd prefer something to drink, our lactation hot chocolate and drink mixes contain the same core galactagogue ingredients in a warm, comforting format — perfect for those late-night feeds.
The Bottom Line
Do lactation cookies work? When formulated with the right ingredients in meaningful amounts, the evidence is genuinely encouraging — and growing. Oats and beta-glucan have the strongest research support, flaxseed adds real nutritional value to breast milk, and brewer's yeast has a compelling traditional use history with major clinical trials now underway.
Breastfeeding is one of the most demanding things a body can do. You deserve honest information, delicious support, and a community that has your back. That's what Made to Milk is here for.
Ready to try Australia's No. 1 lactation treats?
Explore the full Made to Milk range — including gluten free, dairy free and soy free options. With over 120,000 Australian mums already on their journey with us, you're in good hands.
Or save with one of our value bundles — the easiest way to stock up and keep your supply supported.
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