Chocolate Overload! The Perfect Snack for Every Nursing Mother

I have been breastfeeding for years it seems like. Four kids in four years and breastfeeding or pumping for all of them has been exhausting to say the least, but oh so worth it.

But let’s be honest, breastfeeding doesn’t always come as naturally as it should. It’s actually exhausting, painful, and emotional. You are devoting your body to your baby for 9-10 months in your belly, and then for who knows how long to breastfeed.

It’s crazy the things we do for our babies to give them the best start in life. We have to battle recovering from having a baby, chapped nipples, biting, low supply, over supply, and so much more. It’s not always worth it for us tired, hard working moms. I work full time, so in between a full day I have to find time to pump, eat, and go to the bathroom. There are days I want to give up and just give her formula, but I think of all the benefits of breastfeeding, and the bond I have with my girls because of it.

Don’t get me wrong, formula is great! My second daughter was allergic to everything, it got so bad all I could eat was wheat thins and turkey sandwiches, so formula was the better option after a couple of months of pure torture for this exhausted mama. But I am a huge advocate for breastfeeding, if your body makes it and your baby takes it, give them all of the wonderful things that come along with giving your little one breastmilk.

Did you know that your milk created specific antibodies to ward off any germs and sickness that can affect your baby? That’s crazy! Breastmilk can also help heal ear infections, cradle cap, scrapes, eye infections, and so much more. It’s amazing what our bodies are capable of.

With my first three breastfeeding journeys I was an over supplier. For the surrogate baby I had in 2014, I exclusively pumped for them for 3 months. I was making 60 ounces a day! But over supply comes with clogs and mastitis, swelling, fever, and so many other obstacles that most people don’t realize. With my youngest baby, my current little feeder, I am an undersupplier, and I am so thankful and lucky to all the local mamas who have donated their precious extra milk to use this past year.

That’s exactly what breast milk is, precious. All of us mamas work so hard for our milk, every single ounce. Whoever said, “don’t cry over spilt milk” obviously never pumped breast milk. Too many  times I have spilled even a little ounce or two and found myself crying. It’s not fun to lose any of that liquid gold. Throughout this past year I have had to find every cookie, tea, vitamin, etc that supposedly increases milk supply. The one thing that has always helped me though, is lactation brownies. Over the last few months I have concocted the most amazing, delicious, and helpful recipe of lactation brownies that are sure to increase milk supply everytime.

By the way, these are definitely not the healthiest things, but we need those extra calories, so I say, snack away! I know lots of mommas who are always looking for something delicious to try, so what better place to share than with all of you awesome SDMB readers!

Enjoy and let us know how you like them!

Lactation Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of all purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 12 tbsp of unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp of ground flax seed
• 4 tbsp of brewers yeast
• 1 1/2 cups of old fashioned oatmeal

Directions:

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the cocoa powder and sugar. Whisk to combine and remove from heat. Add the salt, vanilla and eggs and stir until thoroughly combined. Then add the flour and continue stirring. Add the flax seed and brewers yeast, making sure it is well mixed. Last add the oatmeal. Once everything has been mixed together, pour mix into a 9×9 pan and cook at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick and remove it without any batter left.