Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies

I feel every Mother has the anticipation of breastfeeding their child. You read the books, take the classes and you are even shown while in the hospital with your new addition. You think it is going to be simple as pie and that is their natural instinct to go straight to the breast and eat. No need to stress. Well, I was wrong. Its not simple, it is hard and frustrating. While in the hospital, Vivian did not want to latch. I unfortunately have flat nipples so its hard for them to stay stimulated so she can eat. I even tried a nipple shield to help her latch. She would suck a little on the shield but wouldn't last long. I even put a little formula inside the shield so she would stay on, but didn't work. We had to go ahead and resort to formula at the beginning so my child wouldn't starve. 

When we got home, I still tried to give her the boob but she would get so mad because she wouldn't latch and poor little girl was so hungry. Sweetness lost 5 ounces in 2 days so we started supplementing formula and I started pumping. I knew I didn't want her to have formula so I decided to pump exclusively so she can get all the antidotes she needs. I still try and nurse to see if she will randomly latch on, but that has not happened for thus far. I have been pumping exclusively for almost 2 weeks now and let me tell you, its exhausting. Grant it, yes, you are suppose to have your newborn nurse every 2-3 hrs in the beginning, but with nursing you feed your child, burp, change, play, go down for nap/bedtime. With being an exclusive pumper you pump, clean attachments/bottles, store milk, get your bottle ready, feed your child, burp, change, play, go down for nap/bedtime. I set my alarm 30 minutes before she wakes up to pump which is at 1:30 am and 4:30 am. There have been times that she has woken before my alarm went off because she was hungry so I would get her up, warm her bottle, change her, feed her, get her back to fall asleep, pump, clean attachments/bottles, get it ready for the next feeding then go to bed. Its usually about an hour or so process from start to finish. Exhausting just typing this. Plus, not going to lie, but pumping hurts. I have to use a lubricant before putting the longhorn on so it makes it a little more comfortable.

 I found if I get everything together and ready for the next feeding it makes it slightly easier. I even go ahead and put milk into my 3 different Dr. Brown's glass bottles and have them lined up in the fridge for the milk that would be next for the feeding. Plus, that way if Brian feeds her, he can just grab a bottle and heat it up and they can have their bonding moment. That definitely makes life a little easier.

With pumping exclusively I'm afraid I'm not going to produce enough milk for her next feeding. They say you don't produce as much milk as you would if you nursed. I read that eating oatmeal helps with your supply, drink TONS of water and eat lactation cookies. In lactation cookies, the brewer's yeast and flaxseed is suppose to help increase your supply. I went on Pinterest and found a recipe and thought I would give it a shot. They are actually really good. I was suprised! I also think it has helped with my milk supply. I pump around 4 oz-6 oz (combined)...depending on the time of day...which I think is pretty good. I'm hoping that it will continue to increase. 

Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies (recipe adapted here)

 Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons flaxseed  
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 cup butter/margarine/coconut oil 
• 1 & 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups oats, thick cut (not the instant kind!)
• 1 cup (or more!) chocolate chips
• 3-4 tablespoons of brewers yeast 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. 

2. Mix together 2 tablespoons of flaxseed and water. Set aside for 3-5 minutes.

3. Cream margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.

4. Stir flaxseed mixture. Add it, along with the vanilla, to the margarine mix. Beat until blended.

5. Sift remaining dry ingredients together, excluding the oats and chocolate chips.

6. Add sifted ingredients to the margarine mixture. Add the oats and stir until well combined. Add in the chips.

7. Drop cookie dough by rounded teaspoons onto baking sheets.  

Bake for 10-14 minutes, depending on size of cookies. Makes approximately 6 dozen cookies. DO NOT over-bake! Enjoy 2-4 cookies per day : )