A woman's body is an amazing thing, and is generally able to maintain milk supply to meet your baby's demand. But from time to time, you may experience a decrease in supply.
There are a number of reasons why this happens. It can commonly be caused by your baby experiencing a growth spurt or cluster feeding. Other mums may notice a decrease if their diet is lacking in the right nutrients, or they're taking certain medications.
While doctors can give medication to try to encourage milk production, there's also a way mums can boost their supply naturally - and you might be pleased to know it comes in the shape of a treat!
Lactation cookies are made to a specifically formulated recipe that incorporate 'galactagogues', foods that promote or increase the flow of a mother's milk. These include brewers' yeast, flax seeds, whole oats and fenugreek seeds.
There are many different brands of these cookies on the market, as well as DIY recipes, and many women claim to have noticed a significant increase in their milk supply after eating them.
Lactation consultant Pinky McKay has her own brand of lactation cookies, called Boobie Bikkies.
"As a consultant, I saw all these mums who weren't eating properly because they had no time to make themselves food. Instead, they were swallowing pills for nutrition," she says.
McKay notes that fenugreek is a commonly used herb or pill ingredient, but highlights that, for many, this can come with issues and limitations.
"If you are allergic to peanuts, you can be allergic to fenugreek," she advises. "It's also not ideal if you are diabetic as it can affect your blood sugar level, and it can also affect your thyroid hormones."
As an alternative, McKay says that her cookies are a great and natural way for mums to get nutritious food.
"We use a combination of ingredients in our cookies such as oats and flaxseed, and we also have gluten and dairy free options available as well," she says.
"The cookies aren't a magic bullet for everyone, as all women are different, and I would say it supports a healthy milk supply, rather than boosts it."
McKay has received positive feedback from many happy mums who have eaten the cookies, recalling one very satisfied customer she met at a baby exhibition.
"This woman had a four week old baby and was struggling with her milk supply. I gave her a couple of cookies to take to try and she returned to me two hours later to show me her wet t-shirt from her milk leakage!"
Rachel Fuller, president of the Australian Breastfeeding Association, says that while many women believe that lactation cookies and other substances contribute to milk supply, there is limited scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness.
"We encourage mothers to eat a balanced diet according to the dietary guidelines for Australian adults, and to drink to satisfy their thirst," she says.
"There are no specific foods that should be eaten or avoided for most women during lactation. Most healthy women consuming a varied diet don't need to take any vitamin/mineral or herbal supplements while breastfeeding, with the exception of iodine."
Fuller is a strong advocate of addressing any serious concerns about milk supply with a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding counsellor in the first instance. This will ensure any underlying reasons for a low supply are identified and fixed, or ruled out.
"Our breastfeeding counsellors can talk to mums about how to tell if their baby is getting enough milk and give suggestions to increase supply if required," she says.
Mothers can speak with an Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor on the Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268. Alternatively a lactation consultant or medical adviser may help.
Lactation cookie recipes online
• JustBreastfeeding.com has recipes for nut-free lactation cookies, as well as a recipe for nut-lovers.
• FatMumSlim offers a recipe for chocolate chip breastfeeding biscuits.
• The nutrition team at Lose Baby Weight have a range of lactation cookie recipes, including spiced, chocolate fudge, banana raisin, chocolate chip and oatmeal flavours.
• SugarFreeKids.com.au has a recipe that's sugar-free - and it can also be made without gluten, dairy, nuts and eggs.
• Got a Thermomix or a similar mixer? Check out the options at the TMX Recipe Community for easy lactation cookies.