Oat Milk For Breast Milk Supply

By Lynn •  Updated: 08/10/23 •  9 min read
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If you’ve got low or diminishing breast milk, you may be seeking ways to increase your milk supply naturally. Oat milk for breast milk supply is a newfound solution that may prove to be just the fix you need to increase your milk supply.

In this article, we will explore why oatmeal and oat milk are often considered beneficial when it comes to breast milk production as well as ways that you can sneak oats into your diet without getting too bored with it. 

So, let’s dive in. 

Does Oats Produce Breast Milk?

If you’ve been scouring the internet for answers to questions like “Which of the Top 7 Best Nursing Tanks For Large Breasts is best for me?” or How To Get A Deeper Latch When Breastfeeding?” then you are likely just as interested in whether or not oat milk actually increases milk supply.

The truth is that oats may increase milk supply in breastfeeding mothers, however, research isn’t yet clear. 

As of now, there aren’t studies that prove that breast milk does anything to increase milk supply. Still, countless mothers claim that oats have increased their milk supply drastically. 

Thus, results may vary from person to person when it comes to consuming oats to increase milk supply. 

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Why Do Oats Increase Milk Supply?

While the jury is still out on whether or not oats scientifically increase breast milk, the truth remains that the addition of oats in the diet seems to have a dramatic effect on milk production for some women. 

So what gives?

There are several possible reasons why an increase in breast milk occurs when certain women consume oats. 

These include:

  • Oatmeal Contains Iron: Some studies seem to suggest that women that are low in iron may also experience a lull in breast milk production. Because oats are high in iron, it would make sense that eating oatmeal or drinking oat milk would aid in milk production for these particular women.
  • Oatmeal Contains Beta-Glucan: Beta-glucan is a type of fiber found in wheat and oats. It has a multitude of health benefits including boosts in levels of prolactin which is a hormone that aids in milk production. 
  • Oatmeal Contains Plant Estrogens: Plant estrogens are associated with milk production and the stimulation of milk glands. These compounds are found naturally in plants but also can be found in a bowl of warm and comforting oatmeal. 
  • Oatmeal Is Simply Healthy: The last possible reason that oats tend to have such a profound effect on breast milk production is that they are simply a very healthy food to eat! Oats are packed with vitamins and nutrients to nourish and benefit your body which means they may have the ability to positively affect your milk production as well. 

How Long After Eating Oatmeal Will Milk Supply Increase?

That depends. The amount of time between eating oatmeal and seeing an increase in milk production can vary between women. 

Generally, a woman who wants to see an increase in her milk supply as a result of something she ate should wait at least 4-6 hours after having eaten to see results.

Nevertheless, some women report having noticed a difference within 1-2 hours of having consumed oatmeal or other foods that either worked to positively or negatively affect their breastmilk. 

Thus, the results for every woman will differ. 

Which Oats Is Good For Increase Breast Milk?

The best kind of oat to consume for optimal breast milk production are old-fashioned rolled oats. Still, you may be able to reap the benefits of consuming oats for breast milk even by consuming instant oatmeal or oat milk, as all of these oat by-products have similar nutritional content, and thus, may prove to be of benefit for the production of more breast milk. 

Is Oat Milk Good For Breast Milk Supply?

Yes! Oatmilk is a quick and easy way to get the benefits of whole-grain oats without having to consume a bowl of oatmeal every day. Add oat milk to your smoothies, cereal, savory dishes, or consume it straight and you may see an increase in breast milk production within 24 hours.

Does Oat Milk Help Milk Supply?

Yes, oat milk helps milk supply in much the same way that oatmeal does. This is because oat milk is nothing but oats soaked and blended in water. You can even make your own oat milk at home, though homemade oat milk won’t contain the fortified nutrients that often accompany commercial-made oat milk varieties. 

Is Oatmeal Milk Good For Breastfeeding?

Oatmeal milk is good for breastfeeding. Many mothers have found oat milk to increase their milk supply in much the same way that a bowl of oats does. 

For those who do not like oatmeal, this is likely a sigh of relief. Oat milk, with its smooth, creamy, and mildly sweet flavor is likely more tolerable than a bowl of oatmeal for some. 

How Long Does It Take For Oat Milk to Increase Milk Supply?

The amount of time it is going to take for oat milk to increase milk supply will vary from woman to woman. 

Typically, women will see an increase in milk supply from oat milk in as little as 1-2 hours, but it may take as many as four to six or even 24 hours for some women. 

Know also that the amount of milk a woman produces in correlation to her consumption of oat milk is likely to be different depending on how much oat milk was consumed. 

Remember, not everyone will see benefits from eating oatmeal or consuming oat milk. If you don’t see a change in the amount of milk you produce after drinking oat milk, don’t fret. Oatmeal might not increase milk production for you, but other foods may

Other types of food often thought to increase the production of breast milk include: 

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Oat Milk vs Almond Milk for Breastfeeding

When it comes to milk production, oatmeal and oat milk win in terms of popularity. But almond milk offers its benefits to lactating mothers as well.

Because almonds are high in linoleic acid, almond milk remains a healthful way to stimulate milk production. Moreover, almonds pack a variety of other benefits to nursing mothers including: 

  • Antioxidants
  • Healthy Fats
  • A Wide Variety of Nutrients
  • Vitamin E
  • Magnesium
Healthy morning breakfast with oatmeal :)

Oat Recipes For Breast Milk Production

Think you’ve got to down a bowl of oatmeal every morning to keep the milk coming? 

Not necessarily. 

While it is best to consume old-fashioned rolled oats over other oat types, it remains true that nearly all oat by-products will provide some sort of benefit to your milk supply. If indeed your body responds to nutrients in oatmeal by producing more milk.

Here are a few ways to incorporate oatmeal and oat milk into your daily diet without getting bored with a daily bowl of oats: 

  • Blend Your Oats in a Smoothie: Did you know you can add oats to your morning smoothie to keep you fuller for longer? It’s true! Take your favorite smoothie recipe and add a tablespoon or two of oats. You can increase the number of oats as you see fit. But be advised that the more oats you use the thicker and grittier the texture becomes. Try a peanut butter oatmeal smoothie to get started.
  • Make a Dessert Out of Your Oats: There are countless desserts you can make from oats. Blend your oats to use as flour or purchase oat flour at your local grocer. Substitute oat milk for regular milk in your recipe and you’ve got a perfect lactation dessert right at your fingertips! Note: Oat flour may not work in every recipe. Be sure to use a dessert recipe designed to utilize oat flour to yield the best results. 
  • Make Pancakes: Ever heard of banana blender oatmeal pancakes? They’re a hot new trend that utilizes nothing but oats, bananas, and a few other ingredients to produce deliciously guilt-free indulgence while increasing your milk production at the same time! 
  • Use Them as Binder: Did you know that oatmeal can be used as a binder in some recipes? Meatloaves, meatballs, burgers, and other foods can utilize oats as a replacement for breadcrumbs in many cases. 

FAQs

Do oats cause gas in breastfed babies? 

Oats may make your baby gassy, but it isn’t as likely to cause your breastfeeding baby as many issues as other gas-causing foods. Foods like cabbage, beans, and broccoli are much more likely to cause your baby tummy troubles than a bowl of creamy oats. 

What can I drink to increase breast milk production?

There are many teas and drinks on the market that claim to boost breast milk production, however, results will vary from woman to woman. 
Here are a few drinks thought to have a positive impact on the production of breast milk:
Water
Fruit Juice
Oat or Almond Milk
Vegetable Juice
Certain Herbal Teas

Oat Milk May Be a Great Option to Increase Milk Supply

If you are struggling with your milk supply and are looking for a quick and

 affordable solution, look no further than oat milk. For oatmeal lovers and haters alike, oat milk remains one of the easiest and most nutritious ways to increase your milk supply daily. Just remember that oatmeal and oat milk may not work to produce an increase in breastmilk for everyone. Give it a try and see what you think! 

Lynn

Lynn is a freelance writer, a wife, and a mother of two beautiful kids. Lynn started Infant Empire with the aim of making parenting easier for fellow mums and dads. She believes the parenting tips provided here will be of great help to all parents.

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