You may have heard that oats keep a nursing mama’s milk supply up, but why? According to the La Leche League, oats are lactogenic, meaning they help induce the secretion of milk.  Oatmeal lactation cookies are super popular among women who pump and nurse, but all new moms need a nutritious start to their day, because having a baby is amazing, but exhausting and hard work. Treat your taste buds and your body to these oat-filled recipes that give the cookie a run for its money.

1. Take your breakfast to the next level with Oatmeal Raisin Pancakes. This recipe is from our friends at Fit Pregnancy.

Oatmeal-Raisin Pancakes (Makes 6 Pancakes)
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 1 cup oatmeal pancake make-ahead mix (this is the mixture, which makes 36 pancakes in total: 2 cups uncooked rolled oats 2 cups enriched white flour 2 cups whole-wheat flour 2 tablespoons baking powder 4 tablespoons sugar Process oatmeal in food processor with metal blade until it’s the consistency of flour. In large bowl, mix oatmeal with flours, baking powder and sugar until blended. Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 months).
• 3/4 cup skim milk
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Vegetable cooking spray
• Warm maple syrup or low-fat vanilla yogurt (optional)

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• In a small pan, bring water to boil; add raisins, cooking for one minute, then drain.
• In medium bowl, mix raisins with make-ahead pancake mix, skim milk, molasses, egg whites, oil and cinnamon. Stir until just blended.
• Meanwhile, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and coat with cooking spray.
• Ladle 1/4 cup batter onto hot skillet and cook each side until browned. Remove to plate and serve immediately with warm maple syrup or low-fat vanilla yogurt, if you desire.

2. Make your afternoon snack count and munch on these delicious Cherry Oat Blondies, recipe is compliments from our friends at Family Circle.

Cherry Oat Blondies (Makes 16 Bars)

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup plus 2 tbsp rolled oats
• 2/3 cup plus 2 tbsp dried cherries

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with aluminum foil; coat with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk flour and salt. In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar with a hand mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla until well combined.
• Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients on low speed until just combined.
• Fold rolled oats and dried cherries into batter. Transfer to prepared pan and spread evenly. Scatter 2 tbsp each rolled oats and dried cherries on top.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, then use foil to lift blondie to a wire rack. Cool completely

3. Wash it all down with a Blueberry Oat Smoothie, made from the following recipe from our friends at BabyCenter.

Blueberry Oat Smoothie (Makes 2 Drinks)
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 1 orange
• 1 banana
• 1 3/4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup whole raw almonds

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Juice the orange.
• Peel and cut the banana into chunks.
• In a blender, combine the orange juice, banana, blueberries, yogurt, oats, and almonds.
• Blend until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Divide between 2 glasses and enjoy right away.

Once you try these OATrageously great sounding  recipes, let us know if they helped raise your supply, how easy they were to make, how they tasted and maybe even share a pic with #thisisgoingtobefun @motherhoodmaternity.