OATMEAL

Oatmeal is commonly recommended to breastfeeding parents as a breast milk booster. Many report pumping more milk on the days they have oatmeal for breakfast instead of something else. 

🥣Oatmeal is a good source of iron. Anemia/low iron levels can result in a decreased milk supply as breast milk is made from your blood. 

🥣Oatmeal is a comfort food. Comfort foods tend to encourage let-down which boosts milk supply.

🥣Many of the herbs known to increase milk supply also decrease cholesterol levels. Herbs that both increase milk and decrease cholesterol include fenugreek and alfalfa, which are found in many lactation products. Oat bran, found in oatmeal, can help lower cholesterol

But you don’t HAVE to eat oatmeal to make breast milk. I’ve known more than a few moms who are choking down oats even if they hate them. There are other things you can eat that are just as supportive. 

🥬Eating foods high in iron or being supplemented with iron can help you make more milk. Especially if you had a large blood loss at birth or tend to be anemic. High iron foods include beans (they won’t make your baby gassy), dark leafy greens, red meats, dried fruits like raisins and apricots. 

🥄Flax seed and chia seeds can work just as well as oats. They can be added to cookie recipes, used as an egg substitute in homemade breads, and are tasty and filling in smoothies. 

🥕Here’s another list of seemingly random foods that are actually known to boost milk supply: Garlic, carrots, barley, asparagus, brown rice, apricots, salmon, sweet potato, almonds, moringa, chickpeas, lentils, beets, tofu, watermelon, and grapefruit.