Are you currently breastfeeding? Sign up to test Munchkin’s Milkmakers Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Breastfeeding Cookie Bites

[GraceEMumsnet]

We are looking for UK Mumsnet users who are currently breastfeeding to test out Munchkin’s Milkmakers Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Breastfeeding Cookie bites.

Here’s what Munchkin has to say: “Munchkin’s no.1 bestselling breastfeeding cookie in the US is now coming to the UK! Recommended by lactation consultants and with over 16,500 positive reviews on Amazon US, the Munchkin Milkmakers® Breastfeeding Cookie Bites conveniently fit into your busy breastfeeding life.

Available in delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Milkmakers® -Breastfeeding Cookie Bites are preservative-free, and made with natural organic ingredients traditionally used to support breast milk supply. Delicious AND nutritious – what’s not to love?

Fenugreek: the most popular, well-known and researched ingredient to boost milk supply.
Oats: a delicious comfort food and a nutritional powerhouse, providing whole grains, fibre, iron, and lots of healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Brewer’s Yeast: a traditional ingredient used to increase milk supply, rich in B-vitamins, proteins, and minerals essential for nursing mums.
Flaxseed: provides omega-3 fatty acids necessary for baby’s brain development which can be passed from mother to baby through breast milk.

We hope you enjoy these cookies, and we can’t wait to hear what you think!’’


Selected testers will be sent 3 x 6 packs of the cookies and will be asked to test the product over the course of two weeks.

Following testing the product, selected testers will need to give their feedback via a thread on Mumsnet and a short survey.

All testers who give the required feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

If you’re interested in taking part, please sign up here

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

[ShirleyPhallus]

I can’t really believe this is “a thing”. Do women really need to have cookies marketed at them, making them feel like they need extra nutrition in the form of a biscuit? Just eat a healthy, balanced diet. That’s all you need. Not some overly processed, fortified biscuit.

[SoupDragon]

WTF? I mean, who wouldn't want a cookie but this is madness.

[firstimemamma]

I successfully breastfed for nearly a year and a half without specially marketed 'breastfeeding food'. Large amounts of normal food and plenty of water is sufficient - this is a money-spinner.

[FourWordsImMuNiTy]

I’m torn between and “yum” because they do sound kind of delicious but honestly WTF?

[StillRunningUpThatHill]

Another way to make money from women’s insecurities. You don’t need a bloody biscuit to breastfeed. Disappointed to see you getting involved with this, MN.

[FourWordsImMuNiTy]

On the upside, I clicked through to the ingredients fully intending to come back as the Palm Oil Police yelling “But what about the baby Orangutans!” but it looks like it’s butter only. So unless you’re a vegan that’s a win.

[ShirleyPhallus]

Also I’m deeply sceptical of the quote on their page that says these totally boosted someone’s supply. I can’t see any medical data to back that up and think this research is going to be more taste based than supply based. How on earth can you tell, given that supply improves over time anyway?

Bit of a wiener study about some unnecessary product aimed at potentially vulnerable / desperate women IMO

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

'Breastfeeding Cookie Bites'- is this a week late? April Fool's Day was last Thursday...

[helterskelter3]

I’m really disappointed in Mumsnet for peddling this. You’re assisting in the monetisation of breastfeeding.

[GraceEMumsnet]

Hello. Thanks for your views - we understand not all products are going to be attractive to everyone but we think some of our users would like to give these a go. This thread is for users who'd like to sign up for the product test, but you're very welcome to start a thread about MNHQ's commercial policy in Site Stuff and we'd be very happy to talk to you about this there.

[UntamedWisteria]

What a ridiculous idea!

[dinochum]

I made something similar to these when I had my first. They were utterly delicious and I made batches every week... Did fuck all for my milk supply which has always been fine but made me fat as hell 😂

[spaceghetto]

I remember almost clicking on "buy" for a batch of similar cookies from an American site when I was desperately trying to increase my milk supply while pumping for ds1. I'm glad I saw sense and instead ate a healthy diet, drinking lots of water etc.

[Loshad]

Wtf

[FredAstairesShoeLaces]

Really disappointed to see Mumsnet do this.

I know everybody loves a freebie, but I hope people really consider the bigger picture here before entering this.

[Zarinea]

Hmmmm. Another sceptic here.

[CrazyKitkatLady]

Pretty sure fenugreek has been linked to reduced supply in some women.

The only evidence based way to increase milk supply is to remove more milk. Very disappointing that this snake oil is on here.

[suspiria777]

Can Milkmakers provide sources for their claims about the ingredients' effects on breastfeeding parents' milk supply please?
Or, ideally, a double blind randomised controlled trial of these biscuits versus standard recommended protocol (good nutrition and hydration) that shows their statistically significant positive effect on breastmilk supply? Thanks.

[OnthebanksoftheLac]

I found it fascinating that fenugreek was described above in the way it was. And specifically that the word 'proven' wasnt mentioned, just 'researched'.

This is a very interesting paper relating to fenugreek and breastfeeding women: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501779/

[suspiria777]

[quote OnthebanksoftheLac]I found it fascinating that fenugreek was described above in the way it was. And specifically that the word 'proven' wasnt mentioned, just 'researched'.

This is a very interesting paper relating to fenugreek and breastfeeding women: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501779/[/quote]
yeah, i note especially:
This study cannot be considered as valid evidence of a galactogogue effect of these herbs because it lacks randomization, blinding, a placebo control, and maternal instruction in breastfeeding technique. Additionally, infants were breastfed only 6 to 8 times daily, which is insufficient to maximize milk supply.

...
The daily volume of milk actually decreased in the fenugreek group over time, although the change was not statistically significant. The dosage of fenugreek used in this study was lower than that typically recommended by most sources.

...

This study was neither randomized nor blinded and did not have a placebo control group, so the result is questionable.

...

A randomized, double-blind study in 26 mothers of preterm infants less than 31 weeks gestation compared pharmacist-prepared capsules of fenugreek 1725 mg (n=14) or placebo (n=12), each given 3 times daily for 21 days, starting on day 5 postpartum. Mothers used an electric breast pump 5 to 7 times daily for 21 days starting 12 hours postpartum and recorded pumping frequency and milk volume. Maternal serum prolactin was also measured once weekly during the 21 days. No statistical differences were found in milk volumes or serum prolactin values between the two groups on day 5, 10 or 15 of the study.

...

etc. etc. etc.

[SnowAllSpring]

I clicked on this because I was infuriated to see MN going along with this horrendous attempt to turn breastfeeding into a marketing opportunity, with a hefty dose of pseudoscience.

I am very heartened to see the good work done by previous posters on this thread. And I absolutely agree that this is a very poor choice of product for MN to promote.

All you need for breastfeeding is a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you have problems with breastfeeding, they are not going to be solved by a bloody 'cookie'.

[FredAstairesShoeLaces]

I am very heartened to see the good work done by previous posters on this thread. And I absolutely agree that this is a very poor choice of product for MN to promote

Sadly though, the comments probably have no bearing on the numbers who will click the link and sign-up because either they want a freebie, or believe the questionable marketing. Sadly, having a trusted brand like Mumsnet support such a product will give some people a false sense of validation.

[ShrinkingViolet9]

£11.99 for a 342g box and 31% sugar .

[somuchlaundrytowash]

Ffs. Another marketing gimmick.

[SummerHouse]

Munchkin's milkmakers... No thanks.

Have they tried selling special grass to cows?