Titty Bikkies

Until I had a newborn of my own I had no idea bout such things as latching, supply, on-demand-feeding, nipple confusion, formula-nazis, nipple shields, and just the day to day relentless grind of having a tiny screeching thing attached to my chest pretty much 24/7.

Having a baby is wonderful, of course.  It's the most incredible thing ever and while I look back on that newborn baby time with a mixture of amazement (that I managed to come out the other side relatively unscathed, both mentally and physically) and nostalgia, it's bloody hard work.

We had a new addition to our family last week which made me a blood-aunty for the first time: my little sister had her baby.  My two year old is completely in awe and already smitten with this tiny creature. She begs to touch her face, wants to stare at her all day, and has been drawing picture after picture "for Aunty J's baby".

It's hard to know what to do when someone has a bub.  There are all these rules around what's appropriate and what isn't, when to visit, whether to visit at all for the first little while.  I used to wonder why people were so specific and strict particularly in that first month ... then I had my own and of course it made a lot more sense.  Feeling as if I'd been run over by a bus but at the same time having to settle and feed a constantly crying infant, still unsure how to change a nappy and in a sleep-deprived haze.  That feeling of being "raw", of walking around without a layer of skin.  Not being able to even think about doing something so simple as cooking a meal or having a shower.  Those early, early days are rough, perhaps tougher on some than on others, everyone (and every baby) is different.  But when someone close to me has a bub, I cook, and I bake.

These bikkies are supposed to get the milk flowing, which is helpful if you've got a hungry baby who sleeps best with a full tummy.  The 'secret' is the brewer's yeast and flaxseed.  And I guess, it can't hurt to just have some yummy snacks on hand for when you're tied to the lounge for hours.  This is my special recipe, using the least amount of sugar as possible and lots of healthy goodness packed inside.

Titty Bikkies

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut sugar (available in many health food stores)
1/2 cup rapadura sugar (or brown sugar if you can't get rapadura)
1 cup softened butter (or coconut oil for a healthier alternative)
2 eggs
2 cups SR flour (white or wholemeal)
4 tbs flaxseed meal
1 tbs vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon, ground
4 tbs brewer's yeast (health food stores generally stock it, don't use anything but brewer's yeast specifically)
pinch salt
3 cups thick-cut oats
1 cup dark choc chips (or dried fruit if preferred)

Method:

Beat the sugar and butter until fluffy, then add eggs and beat again.  Sift flour into another bowl and mix in all dry ingredients, then add dry ingredients to the butter & sugar mixture.  Stir to combine, adding a few tablespoons of water if too thick.  Roll table spoon sized balls of the mixture between palms and place on a baking tray, pressing down lightly with the back of a fork.  Bake at 170 degrees celsius for approx 8 minutes until lightly browned.

Another tip is to save a little raw mixture as it's purported to 'work' better than the cooked bikkies.  It's also just flaming delicious!