Breastfeeding Snacks: Oatmeal Recipe Roundup

The first four weeks after my children were born, one of my favorite breastfeeding snacks was oatmeal.

In many women, oatmeal is a galactagogue – a substance promoting the increased production of breast milk. Even though there is no definitive scientific evidence that oatmeal increases breast milk production, many women have personal stories about how their milk supply increased due to eating oatmeal.

This could be due to the fact that oatmeal is a source of iron. If your iron levels are low, your milk supply can decrease. The other benefits of oatmeal are: it is high in fiber, helps lower cholesterol, and helps maintain a healthy blood pressure.

It’s a breastfeeding snack that’s healthy for you and helps your baby.

For those who have celiac disease or are gluten-sensitive, you’ll want to make sure the oats you use are gluten-free. Both Bob’s Red Mill and Trader Joe’s Rolled Oats are gluten-free. If you are someone who finds oatmeal bland, try dressing it up with fresh fruit, nuts, coconut flakes, and spices, but limit the amount of sugar you put in your oatmeal.

Check out the recipes below if you find yourself stuck in a rut with no ideas for oatmeal breastfeeding snacks. Most of these recipes are baked, which means if you have leftovers, just reheat the oatmeal in the microwave. If you have a special dietary need, many of these recipes can be tweaked to suit you or your family.

7 Breastfeeding Snacks featuring Oatmeal

1. Banana Creme Brulee Oatmeal Bake by Keeper of the Home. This bake is ideal on a cool winter morning. The combination of coconut milk with bananas is delightful.
2. Soaked Oatmeal with Strawberries by Wife, Mummy, Nurse. This recipe is perfect in the summer, since it is served cold. It is prepared the night before.
3. Cranberry Crunch Baked Oatmeal by Yummy Beet. If you want an oatmeal recipe to serve on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning, this is it.
4. Morning Glory Oatmeal by Cookie and Kate. An oatmeal version of morning glory muffins, except it does not have pineapple.
5. Baked Berry Oatmeal by Apple of My Eye. Oatmeal with the perfect balance of berries and pecans.
6. Peanut Butter Cup Baked Oatmeal by Chocolate-Covered Katie. Whoever said that you can’t have chocolate for breakfast lied! Plus, this recipe makes an individual serving size. If you want more individual-serving-size oatmeal recipes, check out Katie’s blog.
7. Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal by Bubbly Nature Creations. This is a Trim Healthy Mama E recipe, so it has no added sugar!

What is your favorite way to eat oatmeal? Do you have your own favorite recipe for oatmeal as a breastfeeding snack?