The initiation into the nursing mothers club starts weeks before baby arrives with the inevitable deluge of what-ifs: “What if my baby doesn’t latch?” or “What if I can’t produce enough milk?” and, of course, “What if I just can’t do it?” (The answer to that last question is easy: Yes, you totally can do it.)
If providing enough “liquid gold” for your little one is your main concern, there are many tried and tested remedies that can help, from teas to tinctures, to supplements and pre-made snacks. But, it can also be as easy as being aware of how your supply responds related to things that are already a part of your diet.
When I brought my first baby home from the hospital, I was welcomed by my loving family with the gift every new mother deserves: a fully stocked kitchen. My cabinets were lined with portable snacks—a must-have for all nursing moms—including my favorite granola bars. After a few weeks in the breastfeeding game, I started noticing that my go-to snack seemed to be boosting my milk supply as well. A quick mid-nursing-session Google search revealed that oatmeal, the star of my granola bars, is a “galactagogue,” an ingredient that promotes lactation.
These no-bake oatmeal bites are a delicious and homemade alternative to the store bought granola bar. Quick and easy to make, you can eat these, one-handed, as you nurse your beautiful new baby.
And, know that a visit with one of the IBCLCs at the Breastfeeding Resource Center will answer your questions and provide the tools necessary to ensure breastfeeding is comfortable, enjoyable, and overall successful for you and your baby.
Oatmeal Bites
2 cups old-fashioned oats
½ cup ground flaxseed
1 cup peanut butter
½ cup raw honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Combine all of the ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer. Mix on medium-low speed until everything is combined. Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, roll the mixture into balls and place on a plate or baking sheet. Store in the refrigerator.
A big thanks to Board Member and mom, Casey Beck for this scrumptious recipe! Who’s bringin a batch to the next Support Group??
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