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Best Protein Shakes for Breastfeeding Moms

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The Best Protein Powder Shakes that are Safe for Nursing Mothers

What are the best protein shakes for breastfeeding moms? When trying to drop the baby weight and lead a healthy lifestyle protein powders are the secret key!

Whey protein powders and vegan plant based protein powders are wonderful for breastfeeding mothers and all the protein powder shakes on this list are packed with natural galactagogues to increase milk supply and your breast milk’s nutritional content.

These are the top protein shakes for breastfeeding moms no matter your dietary needs or taste preference!

It is very important to be sure your protein shake is safe for breastfeeding!

All protein powders are considered supplements so should be cleared by your trusted physician before adding into your breastfeeding diet plan.

Some of these protein powders are whey, some are vegan, some sweet, and others not as much.

**This post contains affiliate links to products I use and love and am confident you will too! Please read full disclosure here.**

protein shakes for breastfeeding mothers that are safe for baby and help to increase breast milk supply

The Best Protein Shakes for Breastfeeding Moms for Losing the Baby Weight

I’m a mother of three and a fitness trainer specializing in prenatal through postpartum nutrition and fitness and my best tip for quickly dropping the baby weight is supplementing your meals or snacks with delicious lactation protein powder smoothies with added galactagogues to boost milk supply.

Check out my other top tips for losing the baby weight in a fast and healthy way here.

I dropped the baby weight by 6 weeks 3 times through diet alone. I know that nourishing your body with the best foods and a high quality nutrient dense protein powder shake is a highly effective way to lose the baby weight postpartum.

When you have a new baby you are exhausted and overwhelmed.

Your body has just accomplished an enormous feat and deserves some rest and recuperation.

As a CPT, I know that abs are made in the kitchen, not at the gym. Yes it’s totally cliche, and it’s also totally true.

Right now your biggest and most important mommy jobs are to supply your baby with health and nutrition through adequate breast milk and to heal to the best of your ability.

But even knowing the monumental task that our bodies just went through, most of us are eager to drop the extra pounds and feel like our normal selves again after a pregnancy. Choosing the right diet and exercise plan is key to keeping that milk supply high while shedding the extra baby weight.

Related: My 6 Secrets to Fast Postpartum Weight Loss

Postpartum Weight Loss While Breastfeeding

There is one struggle that so many moms have postpartum, knowing how to lose the baby weight safely while breastfeeding. Can you even do that? How can you diet and breastfeed? How can you lose the excess weight and not lose your milk supply?

What about losing the baby weight while INCREASING your milky supply?

For years I’ve been asked by my mom clients these same questions in different ways again and again. So as a certified online health coach, fitness trainer, maternal nutrition specialist, and mom of 3, I decided to compile the proven successful postpartum diet and exercise plan that I created for my breastfeeding mom clients into a program that now anyone can have access to!

It’s called the Milky Mama’s Postpartum Plan and it is built for you! To teach you everything you need to know to be successful at postpartum weight loss while breastfeeding and learning to make more milk!

Check out my 28 day plan now to help you regain strength postpartum with short effective workouts, increase your milk supply with loads of delicious recipes, and finally lose that excess baby weight at the same time! 

What are the BEST Protein Shakes for Postpartum for Breastfeeding Mothers in 2022?

The options for protein shakes is seemingly endless these days. Every store has shelves of protein powder shakes all touted as health foods. But are they all really that healthy?

Short answer?

No way.

Lots of protein shakes are loaded with artificial sweeteners, sugar, artificial flavors, and fillers. So how are you to know what actually constitutes a healthy protein powder that is safe while you are breastfeeding?

It is very important to get enough protein so you can keep a high milk supply and produce enough protein in your milk to help baby grow. Every cell in your and your baby’s bodies directly need protein!

breastfeeding diet plan postnatal

Whey, Plant-based, Soy… What You Need in Your Protein Shakes While Nursing.

About Soy Protein Shakes While Breastfeeding

Soy protein powders should not be consumed while breastfeeding. While once promoted as a health food, it has now come to light that soy is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Even if it isn’t genetically modified (which is tough to find), soy is an endocrine disruptor… NOT what you want while breastfeeding!

What that means is that it messes with your hormones… specifically estrogen because soy contains really high levels of isoflavones, which are basically a plant estrogen.

Hormonal balance is important for breastfeeding, so soy protein powders should be avoided.

About Whey Protein Shakes While Breastfeeding

Whey based protein powders are ideal for breastfeeding mothers who are not lactose intolerant (and whose babies are not lactose sensitive).

Postpartum you will have lost a lot of weight, water, and muscle. Whey is wonderful for helping women regain muscle mass. A whey based protein shake can help you regain the strength you lost during pregnancy that you will need to thrive in motherhood.

About Plant-Based (Vegan) Protein Shakes While Breastfeeding

Plant-based protein powders are another phenomenal choice to consume while breastfeeding.

Most plant based or vegan protein powders are free from all common allergens (which is perfect for sensitive moms or babies).

Plant based protein powders often offer protein sources from a variety of foods in order to taste less chalky or “green.” More food sources equal more nutrients, so that’s a good thing!

milk boosting recipes to increase supply with lactogenic food

The Top Protein Shakes for Breastfeeding Moms

1. Shakeology Superfood Shake

This is the top of the line when it comes to protein powders. Shakeology is loaded with more nutrition and more supplements for optimal health than anything else.

The only time that your nutrition is more important than right now as a breastfeeding mother, is when you were pregnant. Right now your baby still fully relies on you for their nourishment and growth.

What you eat, the nutrition in your diet, the vitamin content of your diet, directly affects the quality of your breast milk and its nutritional content.

What I love about Shakeology, and why I drink it as a breastfeeding mother, is that I know that it is filling in any nutritional gaps that I may have in my diet. Even with the best intentions and a super clean diet, our food is often still lacking in enough nutrition to be seen as optimal.

Shakeology will fill all those gaps, is so nutrient dense it can usually also replace your multi or prenatal vitamin, and still be provides you with tons of additional nutritional supplements as well.

Shakeology’s original formulation is a blend of whey and plant based proteins, but they do offer a vegan option as well!

Shakeology is more than just a protein shake and the best for postpartum recovery because it also includes:

  • 70+ superfoods
  • Enough nutrients to replace your multivitamin or prenatal vitamin (less things to remember)
  • Probiotics and prebiotics to enhance digestion
  • Adaptogens to help your body naturally deal with stress better
  • More digestive enzymes than any other protein powder to help you break down your food better and enhance the amount of the nutrients your body can actually absorb
  • Whey protein (the type of protein women need to regain and repair muscle postpartum)
  • Greens and phytonutrients to boost immune system and fight free radicals

A Shakeology protein shake is my favorite way to start my day. It replaced all of my other supplements, so even though it was more expensive than what I was previously drinking I was able to eliminate my prenatal ($37), my digestive enzymes ($30), my greens drink ($20), and my probiotics ($20.)

Which saves me time and money PLUS now I can actually remember to get all my supplements in every single day because they are all in one scoop. The biggest postpartum mom win!

I absolutely notice the difference that starting my day with their protein, digestive enzymes, and greens gives me. Only Shakeology makes me feel so vibrant and energized, and all with something I can make with one hand.

What Amazing Things Are in This Protein Shake for Breastfeeding Mothers?

This is why Shakeology is #1 on this list. Its nutrients are unmatched!

Yes, it is the most expensive… around $4 a serving. Which is $4 for a meal that is the healthiest component of your day. Less than the cost of a hamburger at Carl’s and loaded with everything your body needs in a single scoop. I consider that the definition of a mom win!

In addition to the superfoods, greens, prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and adaptogens that we already mentioned are in every scoop of this protein shake you will also find:

  • 35%* Vitamin A for brain, heart, respiratory and eye development
  • 300%* Vitamin C
  • 100%* Vitamin D
  • 50%* Vitamin B6
  • 50%* Vitamin B12 (hello energy enhancer!)
  • 50%* Folate
  • 35%* Magnesium (This is going to help fight those inevitable breastfeeding sugar cravings.)
  • 11%* Iron
  • 35%* Zinc
  • 35%* Iodine
  • 25%* Calcium

Chocolate Whey Shakeology is my favorite! Try it out now!

And of course you will want to know all my best tricks to save big on your Shakeology too! You can save up to $50 using my tips.

2. Majka Lactation Protein Powder for Breastfeeding Moms

This is a quite new and truly unique protein powder designed specifically for breastfeeding mothers! Majka is amazing because it has galactagogues mixed right into the protein powder to increase your breast milk supply!

Lactation smoothies are a wonderful way to increase your milk supply. In fact, the Milky Mama’s Postpartum weight loss plan for breastfeeding moms highly encourages it! (And has loads of tasty protein shake smoothie recipes too.) but scooping all the additional lactogenic foods into the smoothie takes precious time that busy moms barely have!

Majka is the first protein powder to take this into consideration. Their super clean ingredient list has:

  • a lactation blend
  • probiotics
  • digestive enzymes
  • greens blend
  • fruit blend

The lactation blend consists of ginger root, turmeric root extract, ginger root powder, organic caraway seed, organic clove, organic Shatavari root powder, organic sweet potato root powder. Your milk boosting ingredients are all already right inside of this protein powder!

I also scored a custom coupon code for my readers if you’re ready to try Majka! 20% off your first order! Just remember to enter code VIGORITOUT20 at checkout!

the best protein powder for breastfeeding mothers to increase breastmilk supply

What Amazing Things are in This Protein Shake for Breastfeeding Moms?

My favorite thing about Majka Lactation Protein Powder is its ingredients list! They’ve taken everything into consideration that a breastfeeding mother could need and included it all into one tasty drink. 1 scoop contains 13g of protein that your body needs right now to stay energized, heal, and repair postpartum.

Majka takes their ingredient list to a new level by including shatavari which is an herb well-known for increasing breast milk supply. In addition, your greens, probiotics, and digestive enzymes are all in that one scoop as well! This protein powder will keep you full and nourished and will help keep your milk supply high and nutritionally dense.

So What Else Does that Mean for Breastfeeding Moms?

We know that Majka Lactation Protein Powder helps to increase your breastmilk supply.

The true beauty of this protein powder is that with 1 scoop all your dietary and lactation needs are met. No more adding flax meal, oats, brewer’s yeast, greens, and probiotics into your lactation smoothies. Majka saves you tons of time as a busy mom and floods you with the nutrients your body and your baby need right now.

Majka now comes in two flavors: green vanilla and chocolate. The flavor caught me a bit off guard at first but after a few smoothies I grew quite a taste for it! It makes amazing lactation energy bites as well and I almost enjoy it more that way.

3. So Lean and So Clean by Ora Organics

This is my personal favorite plant based protein shake for breastfeeding and happens to be the #1 plant-based protein shake on the market! This USDA organic vegan protein power is made with 20 superfoods!

So Lean and So Clean has only 1 gram of sugar and very low carbs (only 5 grams in 2 scoops) . So if you are following a low carb diet, this is the perfect protein shake for you!

ora organics so lean so clean protein shake for breastfeeding moms

What Amazing Things are in This Protein Shake for Breastfeeding Moms?

If you are looking for an outrageously clean and healthy protein shake while breastfeeding this is it. 22 g of vegan plant-based protein in 2 scoops of powder!

Protein is so important after childbirth because it is essential for healing (which you’re doing a lot of right now) and muscle growth (which you will be rebuilding after your body heals!) The first time I followed the Milky Mama’s Postpartum Plan to bounce back after baby, this is the protein powder I drank!

Everything in So Lean and So Clean is organic and derived from plants. It is dairy free, gluten-free, non gmo, soy free and vegan.

You can also easily mix this powder with additional nutritionally dense foods, galactagogues to boost milk supply, and extra greens! Though it does already contain 2 servings of greens in 2 scoops! I love this protein powder for breastfeeding moms.

So Lean and So Clean Contains:

  • Organic Acai
  • Organic Blueberry
  • Organic Blackberry
  • Organic Cocoa
  • Many more superfoods!
  • 2 servings of greens in every shake
  • A full spectrum of digestive enzymes: amylase, protease, cellulase, lactase and lipase

(Check out So Lean and So Clean’s full nutritional contents. You can click on each nutrient and find out exactly why it in included in this shake.)

Great! So What Does that Mean for Breastfeeding Moms?

This protein shake is also awesome for breastfeeding mothers because it has lots of ingredients that boost milk supply as well as increase its nutritional density. Many of the ingredients in this protein powder are very high in essential fatty acids which are extremely important to keeping your milk rich and nutritionally dense for your baby.

It is gluten-free, lactose free, AND soy free so not matter your babies or your own sensitivity, this protein shake will be safe for you while breastfeeding. Plus you have the choice of vanilla or chocolate which are both delicious!

No protein powder gives me the refreshed vibrant feeling that So Lean and So Clean does. This is my new #1 choice for the cleanest protein shake for breastfeeding moms.

RELATED: Breastfeeding Tips that are Absolute Sanity Savers

4. Milkdust Breastfeeding Protein Powder

Even the name of this protein powder screams, “Hello I’m awesome for milk supply!” Milkdust is a brand new lactation protein powder specially designed by a mom of 3 for lactating mothers looking to increase their breast milk supply while safely losing the baby weight postpartum.

Milkdust is a plant-based protein powder, which is one of the absolute best choices for breastfeeding mothers. Whey protein powder would be another good choice. Plant-based protein powders are a phenomenal choice while breastfeeding because plant proteins are easily digestible, typical allergen-free, and loaded with natural nutrition.

Milk Dust Breastfeeding Protein Powder sources it’s 16 grams of protein per scoop from:

  • organic pea protein
  • organic brown rice protein
  • organic pumpkin protein
  • chia seeds
  • flax seeds

Milkdust was created by a woman who has helped many moms increase their milk supply through the years. She saw breastfeeding moms wanting a number of things:

  1. To lose the baby weight postpartum
  2. To keep a high milk supply while losing the weight
  3. To flood their bodies with nutrition quickly and easily
  4. To fight the breastfeeding sugar cravings that are the Achilles heel of many breastfeeding mothers aiming for postpartum weight loss

and found no perfect protein powder to fit the bill. So she created her own lactation protein powder to tick all those boxes for breastfeeding mamas!

What awesome things are in this protein shake for breastfeeding moms?

  • a plant-based protein blend
  • a fruit blend packed with antioxidants
  • a greens blend with my two favorite powerhouse greens loaded with nutrients and detoxifying properties, chlorella, and spirulina
  • a special lactation blend
  • a sugar craving blend that helps to balance blood sugar

That sounds perfect! How does that benefit breastfeeding mothers?

Milk Dust Breastfeeding Protein Powder has a special blend of lactogenic ingredients that are well known to increase breastmilk supply right in their powder! The special lactation blend includes:

  • milk thistle
  • red raspberry leaf
  • brewer’s yeast
  • organic fenugreek seeds
  • fennel seeds

With such a great blend of galactagogues this protein powder is not only safe for you while breastfeeding, but very likely to increase your milk supply too!

As most lactation boosting drinks and snacks do, Milkdust also has a strong fennel flavor that may be a deal-breaker for you. Fennel tastes of black licorice, which you either love or hate. But, the sugar craving blend in Milkdust contains cinnamon bark, which in my opinion blends perfectly with the fennel for a very dessert-like flavor that I love. Try out Milkdust for yourself with my special 10% off code LACTATION you can enter at checkout!

Related: How to Boost Milk Supply With Home Remedies

5. Milk Drunk Protein Powder

The name of this clean protein powder lets you know immediately that it’s safe and recommended for breastfeeding moms. Milk Drunk comes in a variety of flavors and is vegan and gluten-free! Any of the protein powders on this list are a perfect choice to incorporate into an effective postpartum weight loss plan and will help keep your supply high.

Milk Drunk protein powder is lactose free and gluten-free. Its protein is sourced from peas and oats. It is recommended for pre-workout, post-workout or anytime.

Why Choose This Protein Shake for Breastfeeding Moms?

This protein powder is wonderful because it’s already packed with very well-known galactagogues including:

  • oats
  • flax-seed
  • brewer’s yeast
  • fenugreek

(Do not take this until after you have your baby! Pregnant women shouldn’t be using fenugreek.)

When you are ridiculously busy with baby, doing everything with one arm, and can barely keep up with the day-to-day; knowing that you don’t have to add in these ingredients may be a lifesaver! Who has the time to scoop extra ingredients together with a newborn permanently attached to you?

6. Postpartum Replenishing Powder

This postpartum replenishing powder was designed specifically to meet a new mother’s need postpartum. This protein powder is created by Majka: a brand created by moms for moms with extremely high quality ingredients.

majka nourishing postpartum collagen protein powder

Why Choose This Protein Shake While Breastfeeding?

This protein shake was specially created for the postpartum recovery period. (In which many women are breastfeeding.) Because of this the ingredients were carefully selected and are of the highest quality.

This protein shake contains:

  • a replenishing beauty blend of collagen and hyaluronic acid
  • a digestive enzyme blend (which almost everyone struggles with in the postpartum period, and sometimes beyond.)
  • a probiotic blend (to give your immunity boost and enhance gut health)
  • adaptogens to help increase your energy and help you better handle stress
  • a full postnatal vitamin complex (One less thing to remember when you probably can’t even remember where you set your cell phone last.)

What Makes This Protein Shake Perfect for Breastfeeding?

This protein shake is your secret unicorn for postpartum recovery. Everything you need is in one scoop. All the supplements and pills that you really should be remembering to take to help your body heal and build better breastmilk postpartum are all in one simple scoop.

This is also the only collagen protein shake specifically designed for the postpartum period. There are many benefits to drinking collagen protein powder postpartum. Making this a perfect choice for your breastfeeding protein shake.

7. Vega One Protein and Greens

This is one of my favorite new protein powders to keep on hand at all times as a busy breastfeeding mom. Why?

This protein powder has all clean ingredients, is plant based, has a super high protein amount per scoop (20g), is plant based, and contains extra nutrition by including greens in its formulation. In addition to all those great benefits for breastfeeding mothers (or anyone really) Vega Protein and Greens is also readily available at most health food stores, Amazon, and even grocery stores AND it is very affordable.

What is in this protein shake that makes it great for breastfeeding mothers?

Each scoop contains:

  • 20 g plant based protein (Which is an amazing feature… that is a huge amount of protein for a single scoop and something us super busy breastfeeding moms can use.)
  • only 1 gram of sugar
  • it’s super low carb
  • it contains lots of great greens to help you detoxify
  • The protein is fully plant based so shouldn’t cause any aversions in the mom or baby
Vega One Organic protein shake is USDA organic, non GMO, and certified vegan. Give Vega One Protein and Greens a try today!

REVIEW of the Best Safe Protein Powder Shakes for Breastfeeding:

  1. Shakeology Superfood Shake wins hands down for the most nutrition. If you want to fight cravings, fuel your body with nutrients, and enhance your digestion all in a single meal… this is your drink!
  2. Milk Dust Breastfeeding Protein Powder wins for strong galactagogues and complimenting the fennel with cinnamon.
  3. Majka Lactation Protein Powder wins hands down for its inclusion of galactagogues right into its powder.
  4. So Lean & So Clean wins for the absolute cleanest ingredients ever and the lowest carbs and sugar.
  5. Milk Drunk Protein Powder wins for ease with strong galactagogues already included.
  6. Postpartum Replenishing Powder wins for being the only protein shake on this list that has all the benefits of a collagen protein powder.
  7. Vega One Organic protein shake wins for affordability and protein content.

Find Tips for Using Your New Lactation Protein Shakes and Recipes Below.

postpartum weight loss while breastfeeding diet and exercise plan

Exactly How To Use These Protein Shakes While Breastfeeding

Protein shakes are a perfect breakfast and can even supplement 2 meals a day to lose the baby weight quickly, in a healthy way, with a high milk supply.

Related: Milk Boosting Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

The best way to use these shakes is to incorporate them daily and add a few well-known milk-boosting ingredients for even MORE essential nutrients!

The vanilla is always my favorite flavor because I can add in almost anything to create my own delicious milk-boosting smoothie and drop the baby weight.  Use either a full or half serving at a time. When combining ingredients I only need half of a serving of protein powder for a satisfying meal.

(TIPS: 1. Using a full serving increases the flavor and sweetness immensely. 2. When using half of a serving of protein powder (as that is often all I really need when enhancing the perfect breastfeeding shake with additional nutritionally rich galactagogues and flavors) I often sweeten with additional stevia.

RECIPES to get the most of your protein shakes while breastfeeding:

These recipes and many more amazing lactation smoothie recipes come in the Milky Mama’s Postpartum diet and exercise plan.

Blueberry Delight Lactation Smoothie

protein powder smoothie recipe for breastfeeding moms

  • 1 serving of vanilla protein powder
  • 1/4 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 tablespoon quick oats
  • 1 small handful of spinach

(Add all ingredients and blend well to increase milk supply and stay slim and nourished.)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fantasy Lactation Smoothie

chocolate protein shake for lactation smoothie

  • 1 serving of vanilla protein powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter
  • 1 Tbsp. Cacao Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Quick Oats
  • 1 package Stevia sweetener (or one serving for other forms of stevia)

(Add all ingredients and blend well to increase milk supply and stay slim and nourished.)

MORE BREASTFEEDING POSTS FROM VIGOR IT OUT:

The Best Protein Shakes for Breastfeeding Mothers

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