
No. While the cookies are all dairy free, nut free and soy free, they are not gluten free. We use whole wheat flour and oats.
The cookies are delicious. Seriously, we mean really delicious. We've carefully selected the ingredients to pack the greatest nutritional punch while remaining moist, sweet and completely free of any unnatural flavor (if you've eaten a nutrition bar you've experienced that chalky vitamin supplement taste.) The Lemon Poppy Seed Lactation Cookie has a thick rich frosting with a zing and crunch you'll love. We call our Minty Chocolate Oat the 'Stress Relief' Cookie because it is divine, like the healthy cookie version of mint chocolate ice cream.
So while they're a healthy snack option for you, we haven't forgotten that you also just want a really great cookie.
Our Lactation Cookies have ingredients which support and can increase milk production, but they will not spontaneously produce lactation. Men, fear not! You can eat them safely too.
While there are a variety of reasons women might choose to avoid dairy, it can be essential while nursing. This is because dairy is a common food irritant for many babies. If your baby has colic, frequent reflux or excessive gas, talk to a nutritionist or naturopathic physician to help pinpoint which foods you are eating which could be causing this problem. Yummy Mummy Cookies do not have many of these common causes so that you can safely enjoy without the risk!
When you have the world's best cookie at home or in your diaper bag, you'll have no problem ignoring the less-healthy options you see all around you. They'll satisfy your sweet tooth without causing your blood sugar to spike which is associated to increased cravings and binging. The fat in the cookies comes primarily from virgin coconut oil which metabolizes differently in your body than animal fats do and is rich in essential fatty acids. So, if you regularly reach for sugary foods high in unhealthy fats (and who can blame a new mom for that--sleep deprivation causes us to crave fat, salt and sugar) then yes, replacing those choices with our healthier version can help you get back into your skinny jeans more quickly. Don't forget, the more you breastfeed too, the quicker and safer you get back to a healthy weight as well. It's a win-win!
If you're already nursing, your body is doing its best to produce milk for your baby. However, if you're deficient in the calories and nutrients (such as magnesium, calcium, iron or B-vitamins) your body requires to carry out this incredible process, it may not be able to produce quite as much milk as you'd like. The cookies provide a quick, healthy and satisfying way to top up these nutrients.
Additionally, some foods (called galactagogues) are known to increase milk supply. Oats, Brewer's Yeast, Nettles and Fenugreek are the main galactagogues included in Yummy Mummy Lactation Cookies.
Stress and dehydration can hinder your production too. For an additional boost to milk production, try to relax while enjoying your cookie with a glass of water or a cup of tea. This is your time as much as it is for your baby. Enjoy.
Contacting a Lactation Specialist, OB/GYN or Midwife can be helpful. Many hospitals now have free helplines for new parents and La Leche Leauge (www.llli.org) operates helplines in some areas. In the meantime, try to ensure you're nursing and/or pumping frequently (typically every 2-4 hours), drinking plenty of water and eating nutritious foods regularly.
Do you have other questions? E-mail us today at info@yummymummycookies.com!