The Best Snacks for Breastfeeding (homemade & store-bought favs!)
The Best Snacks for Breastfeeding (homemade & store-bought favs!)

I get tons of questions about what snacks are good for breastfeeding moms and how mamas can help boost their supply. While I’m not a lactation consultant, I do have tons of amazing homemade snack recipes that I’ve been eating while breastfeeding that have made a big difference for me during all 4 of my breastfeeding journeys!

I put together some delicious, super nourishing homemade breastfeeding snacks that are not only filled with ingredients that may help boost breast milk supply but are also packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats that are so essential for mamas while breastfeeding. I’ve included my favorite packaged snacks as well, plus some nursing products that have been so helpful for me.

Check them out below and pass them along to the breastfeeding mamas in your life!

monique breastfeeding baby sidneymonique breastfeeding baby sidney

Ingredients that boost milk supply & nourish mamas

Lactogenic foods are ones that may help increase milk supply due to their phytoestrogens and other nutrients. Plus, these foods are filled with healthy fats and protein to keep mamas nourished while they breastfeed! Here are some easy ones to add to your diet and use in simple snacks:

  • Oats: oats and other whole grains contain iron, which is known to have a positive effect on breast milk supply. 
  • Flaxseed meal: flaxseeds contain phytoestrogens that can help boost breast milk production.
  • Brewer’s yeast: this nutritional supplement is high in complex B vitamins, protein, and selenium, which are all nutrients new moms need. Not all brewer’s yeast varieties are gluten-free, so double-check the label when you buy! The brand I linked is gluten-free.
  • Chickpeas: these little legumes are not only high in protein but also have plant estrogens that may help boost supply.
  • Almonds: raw almonds are packed with healthy fats & protein to keep you satisfied and potentially increase breast milk supply.
  • Ginger root: fresh ginger is not only the perfect tummy soother, but it also can have a positive effect on breast milk production.
  • Leafy greens: kale, spinach, broccoli, and other dark leafy greens are packed with calcium, nutrients, and phytoestrogens that might help boost supply.
  • Protein: in general, eating plenty of lean proteins like chicken, eggs, seafood, and nuts is a great way to boost supply and keep you feeling full.

See below for a mix of my favorite homemade and packaged breastfeeding snacks that I’ve been loving while breastfeeding my littles. They’re all filled with a mix of the above ingredients that might help boost milk supply and make the perfect treats and snacks to gift the new mamas in your life. Enjoy, xo!

chia banana bread energy bites drizzled with chocolatechia banana bread energy bites drizzled with chocolate

Energy bites

Chia Banana Bread Energy Bites

5-minute Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Salted Caramel Coconut Cashew Energy Bites

Honey Cinnamon Almond Butter Energy Bites

Monster Cookie Energy Bites

Peanut Butter Protein Cookie Dough Bites

pistachio quinoa crunch bars in a stack on a platepistachio quinoa crunch bars in a stack on a plate

Energy Bars

Salted Dark Chocolate Pistachio Quinoa Crunch Bars

Vegan No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

No Bake High Protein Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Sea Salt Cashew Butter Chocolate Protein Bars

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

nut and seed granola in a bowl with yogurt and raspberriesnut and seed granola in a bowl with yogurt and raspberries

Granola

Superwoman Nut & Seed Granola

Homemade Chunky Healthy Granola Recipe (vegan & gluten free!)

two green smoothies topped with chia seedstwo green smoothies topped with chia seeds

Smoothies

Immune Boosting Wellness Smoothie

Ridiculously Good Wild Blueberry Muffin Smoothie

Salted Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Shake

Get Your Greens in Smoothie (the best green smoothie!)

Knock You Naked Peanut Butter Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Snickerdoodle Tahini Date Smoothie

healthy blueberry oatmeal muffins on a round wire rackhealthy blueberry oatmeal muffins on a round wire rack

Nutritious muffins & oatmeal cups

The Best Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins (gluten free!)

Grandma’s Healthy Bran Muffins

Honey Cinnamon Walnut Banana Muffins

​​Outrageously Good Pumpkin Protein Muffins

Pumpkin Banana Flax Chocolate Chip Muffins

ABC Muffins (apple, banana, carrot muffins!)

Oh So Fluffy Vegan Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Muffins (dairy free + gluten free)

Morning Glory Zucchini Carrot Muffins

strawberry baked oatmeal in a panstrawberry baked oatmeal in a pan

Baked Oatmeals & Overnight Oats

Brown Butter Strawberry Baked Oatmeal

High Protein Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

Chunky Monkey Banana Baked Oatmeal

Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups

Almond Butter, Strawberry & Banana Overnight Oats

Peanut Butter Blueberry Overnight Oats

High-Protein Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats

Peanut Butter Zucchini Bread Baked Oatmeal

the best lactation cookies on parchment paperthe best lactation cookies on parchment paper

Better-For-You Cookies & treats

The Best Lactation Cookies (for nursing mamas!)

The Most Delicious Breakfast Cookies

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (vegan & gluten free!)

No Bake Superfood Brownies

Nutrition-Rich Omega 3 Blueberry Breakfast Cookies (gluten free + vegan!)

Blueberry Protein Pancake Breakfast “Cake”

Nourishing Banana Bread Zucchini Breakfast Cookies (vegan!)

monique breastfeeding sidneymonique breastfeeding sidney

Fav Packaged Snacks

  1. Boobie Brands Lactation Bars: my latest obsession! These hearty bars are packed with nutrients perfect for boosting milk supply.
  2. Nut & Seed Trail Mix: all of the delicious, healthy fats from almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
  3. Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars: love the blueberry flavor! These are packed with lots of whole grains.
  4. GoMacro Bars: all of their flavors are amazing, but I especially love the oatmeal chocolate chip.
  5. Aloha Protein Bars: My favorite plant-based protein bars!
  6. Lesser Evil Mini Popcorn Bags: just a fun, delicious snack I like to have on hand!
  7. The New Primal Meat Sticks: getting enough protein is super important while breastfeeding, and these meat sticks are perfect with 8g of protein.
  8. Solely Fruit Jerky: absolutely love having these fruit jerky strips on hand for a little sweet snack.
  9. Hydrate electrolyte mix: postpartum hydration recovery is essential, and I found this really helped me (even during pregnancy!) Use the code ‘AMBITIOUSKITCHEN’ for 20% off!

monique breastfeeding sidneymonique breastfeeding sidney

Some of my go-to breastfeeding products

  • Nursing Bra: the comfiest bras for both nursing + pumping.
  • Nursing tank: I recently got these nursing tanks and really love them. So simple to use and have a built in bra. Heck yes. Great for throwing a cardigan over!
  • Haaka: This is primarily what I’ve been using to catch my milk. Every time I nurse I put it on the other side and it is a game changer. Every day I’m able to catch anywhere from 4-6 oz of milk without PUMPING! Yahoo! I also love the Boone Trove.
  • My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow: I’m obsessed with this thing. I honestly do not know what I’d do without it!!
  • Breastmilk freezer bags: these are my favorite bags I’ve tried! They don’t ever leak because the plastic is thicker. Greatest way to store and build up the breastmilk supply.
  • Pumps I use and love: S1 Plus Premier Rechargeable Double Electric Breast Pump and the Pumpables Genie Advanced are my go-to pumps. I’ve also heard amazing things about the Eufy portable pump!

collage of breastfeeding snackscollage of breastfeeding snacks

Head over to the Ambitious Kitchen shop to see everything including my pregnancy go-to’s, postpartum must-haves, and favorite items for baby.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out our baby registrypregnancy books I’m reading and other Ambitious Mama posts.

What are your go-to snacks while breastfeeding? Let me know in the comments!

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