Gluten Free Milk Maker Bars {a recipe}

I've been very lucky. Breast feeding my little M came very easily for both baby and I. Honestly, until recently I haven't had any issues with feeding. But lately, it seems like my supply is dwindling. Yikes! That moment of panic when your frozen milk supply is completely gone and you have no milk to supplement feedings if needed, let alone getting to leave her with the grandparents for more than 3 hours! She also started acting unsatisfied when she was done feeding sometimes. Time to figure out how to make more milk! I've increased my water intake, started eating oats every morning for breakfast and finally...I made lactation cookies! If cookies are involved I'm definitely on board...but I prefer to call them "Milk Makers". So much more fun I think - haha! I headed to Whole Foods and found some GF Brewers Yeast along with some helpful advice from my cashier! She said you can also use brewers yeast like Parmesan cheese. I'll totally have to try it! Don't you just love when employees are genuinely helpful (and not annoying!) Whole Foods just got a few points in my book. 

But back to the cookies. I based my recipe off of The Humble Homemaker's and also decided to turn them into bars. They are way faster to make and just as easy to eat. I'm in LOVE with these things. Not only has my milk supply increased (it really has! WOW!) but they are really quite delicious. I actually have to threaten my family members that they'll start lactating if they eat them. Of course they won't...but it's my only way of keeping them all to myself! Bwah Hah Hah....

Gluten Free Milk Maker Bars

1 1/2 c. Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend 
1 3/4 c. Certified gluten free rolled oats 
1 c. ground flax seed 
4 T brewer’s yeast (be sure to get a GF brand)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon 
1 tsp baking soda 
1 tsp salt 
3/4 c. all natural peanut butter 
1/2 c. coconut oil (softened) 
 1/3 c. water 
1 tsp vanilla 
2 large eggs 
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life to make this recipe dairy free)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
{or any combo of fruit/nuts/chips}

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl, and whip up the wet ingredients in another. Slowly add the dry to the wet until it is evenly blended and coated. It will be a THICK batter. I actually added a bit more water to get the final few mixes in. Press into a 9x11 pan that has been greased or covered in parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden on top. This makes a big batch...technically about 50 bars.  But let's be serious, you will probably cut them to make 25-30. 

Not only are these stellar at increasing milk supply, they are a great source of protein and energy. I joke about keeping them from my family members, but we have actually started doubling the batch because everyone is eating them! You do NOT have to be a nursing mama to enjoy these bars! They would make a great snack for kids or a post-workout refueling meal. They also freeze well, so if you ARE hoarding them for yourself, they will last much longer in the freezer. I slice them and then put them in a freezer ziploc bag. 

Please note...brewers yeast can cause some tummy discomfort sometimes, so if you or your baby are uncomfortable, you might want to try another method of increasing milk supply.

how about you?

Any tried and true tricks for increasing milk supply?
Do you have a favorite food you hide from the rest of your family?

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