Disclaimer: while all recommendations in this blog post are considered to be safe protein powders (according to national dietary guidelines), pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should consult with their doctor and/or a lactation consultant before including protein supplements in their daily routine.
Being a new mom is hard, especially when there's so many new and foreign things going on with your body.
Like breastfeeding.
If you're like me, you were probably told "breast is best" and had one or two visits from a lactation specialist at the hospital.
Then they said "good luck!" and left you to figure it out with baby.
Um, ok, no pressure.
After a few weeks, your nipples have [hopefully] adjusted and baby is [hopefully] eating well.
But what about keeping a good milk supply, curbing your cravings, or satisfying your constant hunger?
That's where lactation protein powder comes in. It solves all of those problems!
BUT.
I'm gonna share my unpopular (but nutritionally and scientifically backed) opinion with you.
You don’t need a fancy protein powder with the label “lactation” on it to have a good milk supply!
All you need is the protein itself!
But, like you've concluded (because you're reading this blog post), not all protein powders are created equal.
In this blog post, I talk about :
Protein is one of many essential nutrients for a healthy body, especially for breastfeeding mamas.
In addition to building muscle, protein helps to:
As you can see, protein plays an important role in so many functions in our body. It's also an excellent way to meet your daily protein needs without spending more time in the kitchen.
When lactating moms eat enough protein, their bodies are more efficient at taking care of themselves, so there is more energy and calories available to produce milk.
Furthermore, eating enough calories each day means your body is properly nourished, so it'll be much easier to lose the "baby weight."
Not eating enough means your body is constantly hungry and wants to hold onto every calorie you eat, which means it has no desire to lose weight.
Therefore, protein is essential for breastfeeding moms!
Most importantly, all the benefits of protein are passed through breastmilk to baby, so baby is getting all the benefits too!
The current women's RDA for protein is about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, but this hasn't been updated based on current research, so I don't agree with this statement.
Nutritionists and/or personal trainers recommend 0.8 grams to 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight, but bodyweight doesn't account for body composition, caloric needs, or exercise habits.
I teach all my clients to have 25%-30% of their total daily calories come from protein. This way, the intake of protein is proportionate to each woman and her unique protein requirements and nutritional needs.
I personally use this rule and I consistently had a healthy milk supply even while lifting weights and running long distance!
For example, an adequate amount of protein for an 1800 calorie diet is at least 120 grams of protein.
If you want to find your daily recommended intake of protein and tons of recipes to help you hit your protein goals, check out this blog post!
A mom’s milk supply will increase with adequate calorie intake from a balanced diet and minimal amounts of processed foods or artificial ingredients. Protein powder is a great option to maintain calories while minimizing less nutritious foods, which, in turn, will boost milk supply.
Yes! Protein shakes are a good option for a quick, healthy snack, as well as a simple, convenient way to boost daily protein intake. However, it is not recommended that protein drinks become a meal replacement in a regular diet.
Protein shakes can help postpartum women lose weight because protein boosts your metabolism, curbs sugar cravings, and keeps you fuller longer. However, the best way to lose weight after having a baby is to focus on overall nutrition through a healthy, balanced diet.
Before we get into the "do's" and "dont's" of safe protein powders, I want to remind you that almost none of the brands you'll be reading about are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. For this reason, it's important to choose brands that have been third party tested and/or independently certified with credentials like:
Those certifications listed above are not 100% required to consume a safe protein powder for breastfeeding. However, if a brand does have any of those credentials or can show certification of third party testing, it is one of the better options for you and baby.
Whether you opt for whey, soy, isolate, or plant-based protein powder, here are a few key ingredients your lactation supplement should have:
An easy way to know if a protein supplement is a safe option for you is to check the ingredient list on the back of the container.
Some brands might advertise key ingredients that their product doesn't have, but it's always good to check.
For example, 1st Phorm protein has Red 40 in it, a carcinogenic artificial dye made from petroleum that has been linked to ADHD in kids.
Yet this brand is one of the bigger brands I found in my research.
I recommend avoiding the following ingredients in your lactation protein powder(s):
100% whey protein powder is made from cow's milk and is naturally gluten free. Because it's an animal product, it is a complete protein (which means it has all 9 essential amino acids or a complete amino acid profile), it has BCAAs (branch chain amino acids) to promote building muscle, and it is more protein dense.
Plant based protein is gluten free, dairy free, and vegan, but is not a complete protein. However, manufacturers will mix different plant based protein together until they make complete protein.
If you don't have any major food allergies, either protein is a great option. You'll get the all the benefits of protein from regular and vegan protein.
If you have a lactose intolerance or avoid dairy products, plant proteins are the best choice.
Collagen powder is a good source of protein, but it is not a complete protein. This means it is missing at least one of the 8 essential amino acids in its formula.
This means it can contribute to your total daily amount of protein, but it doesn't have all of the important nutrients of a true protein powder.
Don't worry though, it's still a good choice for supporting your breast milk supply and it's still a healthy part of the maternal diet.
A good place to start if you're interested in collagen protein is bovine collagen. The two brands I use are Just Ingredients collagen and Needed collagen. If you want to check out Just Ingredients, use my code "thewellnourishedmama"; if you want to check out Needed, use my code "mama20".
I researched the 30 most popular protein powders, both regular, plant based, and lactation, and reviewed them below to help you find the right protein powder for you.
(As always, this review does not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider and does not account for your medical history, so please consult with a licensed nutritionist and/or your physician before making a decision.)
There are also infographics that compare five different metrics for each brand of protein powder: price, quality of ingredients, ratio of protein per serving, overall taste, and whether or not you can find it in stores.
The metrics are shown by one, two, or three icons. Each metric has specific criteria that determines how many starsor dollar signs, and three icons is the highest rating. The criteria are as follows:
After reviewing all the brands and the different rating criteria, I'll share the best overall protein powder for nursing moms, the best affordable protein powder, the best tasting protein powder, and the highest quality protein powder at the end.
Now that you understand the graphics, let's learn about the 30 most popular protein powders in 2024!
Just Ingredients is my absolute favorite protein powder because it's made with real food ingredients, 4-5 different types of protein sources to get a variety of nutrients and amino acids, and there's no casein in it, which means it won't hurt your stomach.
Their whey protein is the highest quality protein in the world, sourced all the way from New Zealand, and there's absolutely ZERO artificial flavors, natural flavors, added sugar, gums, or preservatives.
As of August 2024, they have a whopping 16 different flavors of protein powder, and the price per pound is $27.52 if you buy full price. If you use my discount code "thewellnourishedmama" at checkout, the unit price drops to $24.77!
While their protein doesn't have the most protein per serving, it is macro friendly, which means there's also heart healthy fats and fiber included in their formula, which is incredible.
Another great part about Just Ingredients is that they ship nationwide, internationally, and they have a physical storefront in Utah if you're a local, but they're also expanding to be available in national grocery chains too.
I use Just Ingredients protein powder in many of my published recipes on the blog, like these No Bake Protein Cheesecakes, my High Protein French Toast, and my favorite smoothie recipe, my Adrenal Smoothie.
Again, you can use my discount code "thewellnourishedmama" for 10% off your order here on their website.
This brand is the one I used for a while before upgrading to Just Ingredients. They have both whey protein and whey protein isolate at a very affordable price (one of the best prices per pound!) and there's minimal added sugar.
It's not specifically a lactation protein powder brand, but it's a great low-cost option for new moms on a budget.
You can find Body Fortress protein in most grocery stores. I usually buy mine at Walmart or Amazon.
The standard flavors available in stores are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
If you shop on Amazon, they have additional flavor options like Banana Creme, Cookies and Cream, and Peanut Butter Chocolate.
The sister company of Body Fortress, Pure Protein is very similar in quality, flavors, and price.
In addition to protein powder, this brand also has protein bars, shakes, and savory snacks as well, so there are more options for supplemental protein besides protein powder.
I even wrote a recipe for Pepperoni Pizza Chicken Parmesan (pictured below) using their protein cheese puffs. I love how versatile this brand is!
Altogether, Pure Protein is one of the most affordable protein powders on the list, but the quality of ingredients is pretty average. Not terrible, but not great, and nothing really nourishing besides the protein macronutrient itself.
You can buy their supplements directly on Amazon or at most grocery stores.
A well known lactation protein powder, Majka is a plant based breastfeeding supplement made with all organic, non-GMO ingredients, and each product has no gluten, soy, dairy, and refined sugar.
Some of the key ingredients in their protein powders are organic flaxseed, turmeric, and pea protein.
Of course, with high quality ingredients comes a higher price tag. Majka lactation protein powders retail for $69 per pound and are rarely available in stores, if at all.
I haven't personally tried Majka, but as a nutritionist and mama, I love that their products are made with clean and wholesome ingredients.
However, I don't believe this brand is worth your money because there are so many other protein powders that have incredible ingredients at a much lower price point.
Similar to Majka, Milk Dust is marketed specifically as a lactation protein powder. It's made with vegan, organic ingredients like chia, pea protein, and cinnamon.
While the amount of protein per serving is one of the lowest I've seen, Milk Dust does have 100% of the RDI for folate, as well as 74% RDI for vitamin B12 and 30% RDI of iron.
While it's not as expensive as Majka, Milk Dust lactation protein powder is still a little more pricey at $34/pound and it's only available online.
If you choose to try Milk Dust, be sure to check out my recipe for Vanilla Almond Granola that uses their protein powder.
One of the most well known clean protein powders, Orgain has whey based protein, plant based protein, and protein shakes. I've personally tried all three, and the only one I didn't like was the plant-based protein.
The main ingredient in their plant based protein is organic pea protein, but it's also made with brown rice and chia seeds.
I love that their protein is so clean but also so affordable! It's a cheaper price per pound than Body Fortress and Pure Protein AND it has clean, high quality ingredients, which makes it a fantastic option for nursing mamas.
You can purchase it directly from Amazon or at your local grocery store.
As the name implies, Clean Simple Eats is one of the cleaner protein powders. This brand is so popular right now and continues to expand across the county into grocery stores, retailers, and local health shops. This means they are available both in store and online.
I love that their protein powders are sweetened with Stevia, a natural sweetener, and contain a special blend of digestive enzymes to help your body absorb the most amount of protein. They also have really unique flavors and tons of recipes to inspire you with their protein powder!
However, their protein does contain "natural flavors" and xanthan gum, and each serving only has 20g of protein, so it's not the most protein dense option on the list.
Something they came out with this summer was "clear protein." I ordered some right away because I had no idea what to expect and I was genuinely surprised! It's basically like flavored water, but it has 20 grams of protein per serving. They now have 8 unique flavors and they're all really delicious!
Overall, Clean Simple Eats is a great way to give your supply the lactation support it needs at a reasonable price point of $27.52 per pound.
Known for their clean prenatal vitamin subscription, Ritual stands out from other brands because their ingredients are "made traceable," which means they can tell you exactly where each ingredient was sourced from.
Their protein formula contains 20 mg of organic pea protein, which makes it vegan friendly. I also love that their protein has 3 grams of fiber, 10% of the RDI for iron, and 45% of the RDI for choline. I haven't seen this in other supplements.
The only catch with this formula is that it contains "natural flavors," xanthan gum, and sunflower lecithin. Many people are sensitive to gums like xanthan gum and guar gum, and sunflower lecithin, while being promoted as a solution to clogged ducts and mastitis, has been shown to alter the gut microbiome, which is not ideal for a breastfeeding mama.
Ritual's price per pound comes out to $44/lb, which makes it one of the more expensive brands on this list, but as always, a higher price point indicated better quality.
An actual lactation protein powder made just for the breastfeeding mama. It's made from organic pea protein, organic flax seed, moringa, maca root, and a strain of probiotics. They also naturally sweeten their formula with organic monk fruit extract, which I love.
In addition, Boobie Body has 6 grams of fiber, 125% of the RDI for vitamin D, and 40% of the RDI for iron, which is considerably more than Ritual.
Boodie Body ranks three $ in this analysis at $30.78/pound, but it's not the most expensive one on the list.
Just a friendly reminder that you don't need a "lactation protein powder" to have a good milk supply, but this brand is specifically for nourishing a breastfeeding mama, so that's awesome! I also love that all of the ingredients are certified organic.
You can find Boobie Body at some Target, Walmart, and Amazon, but if you subscribe online, you get a free eBook of recipes with your purchase!
I love Vital Proteins because they're affordable, clean (no artificial ingredients or sweeteners), and their protein has 10 grams of collagen peptides, which are the building blocks of your cartilage, bones, and skin.
Collagen is commonly used to improve hair, nails, and skin, which I'm sure every breastfeeding mother would appreciate.
This brand is also lactose-free and has one of the highest ratios of protein per serving at 25 grams of protein.
Overall, this brand is a great choice if you want collagen and protein at the same time. Just remember that collagen is not a complete protein, so you'll need a variety of protein sources throughout the day to get all the essential amino acids in your diet.
If you get the container with 28 servings, the price comes out to $27.46 per pound. Vital Proteins is available in stores and online.
While 1st Phormula protein is less expensive and more convenient than some other protein brands, it's not one I would recommend for breastfeeding moms.
This brand has artificial sweeteners and colors, including neotame (similar to aspartame) and Red 40.
Their protein bars also have so many manufactured ingredients and palm kernel oil, an inflammatory oil that will hinder your progress in building a good milk supply and losing your pregnancy weight.
That being said, it's widely available and comes in many flavors.
Overall, this is not one of the brands I would recommend because of all the added ingredients.
I've never personally had KOS protein, but from what I can tell, it's a great option for nursing mamas.
Every ingredient is organic, it's macro friendly (meaning there's a balance of fats to carbs to protein), and with each purchase, they donate a meal to someone in need.
However, their formula is fortified with many vitamins and minerals, and if you're taking a prenatal vitamin (which you should be), this could put you in overconsumption of your nutrients, which is not ideal.
KOS plant based protein also has an incredible vitamin and mineral nutrition profile, with high amounts of iron, vitamin E, the entire vitamin B complex, selenium, and manganese, as well as 5 grams of heart healthy fatty acids per serving to help fight heart disease.
Overall, I think KOS is a great option for its price ($26.08/pound) and its ingredients, but I would make sure you're not overdoing your vitamins and minerals if this is the brand you want.
Another clean protein powder company, Ora Organics has great ingredients at a fair price of $30.30 per pound.
What sets them apart from the other brands I reviewed is that their plant based protein powder has tons of fresh fruits and vegetables blended in like blueberry, acai, broccoli, kale, and pomegranate.
I'm also very happy to see that they are certified gluten free, certified vegan, certified non-GMO, and certified organic.
If you're looking for an effective way to get more produce in your diet, Ora Organics would be a great option! You can buy some here on Amazon.
I discovered this brand from an ad on Instagram a couple weeks ago and was very impressed.
Their vegan protein has all 9 essential amino acids but only 3 ingredients: pea protein, brown rice protein, and hemp protein.
What makes them incredible unique is that their entire product is plastic free (including the scoop!) and compostable.
The only downside is the ratio of protein per serving is one of the smallest ones at 15 grams per scoop and the price per pound is $34.80.
You can check out Form protein here on their website.
I first discovered this brand when I went to visit my in-laws.
My mother-in-law had the white chocolate peppermint flavor and it was SO good.
If you're looking for a lower calorie-higher protein ratio, IdealLean is a great choice.
They also have lots of unique and delicious flavors, and they're one of the cheaper options too.
The only downside? You can only get them online and they're usually out of stock. Check here to see if IdealLean is in stock.
I absolutely love everything from Needed. This is the brand I get my prenatal vitamins from and I love that they have a protein option, too.
While collagen and protein powder aren’t exactly the same thing, collagen is a good source of protein and if you don’t love protein powder, I think collagen is a great option for you.
It comes in smaller servings like 15g compared 33g or 49g in some brands, and if you aren’t vegetarian or vegan, it’s a great source of animal protein filled with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and of course, collagen, which is important for skin elasticity, hair and nail growth, and your gut microbiome.
Needed is one of the most expensive protein supplements at $43/lb (with a 15% discount), but they're also one of the highest quality supplements on the list, so if that’s important to you, it’s worth the price point.
One of the things I love the most is that you have tons of options for discounts through various subscription lengths. For example, if you choose to get a 3 month supply up front, you get a 15% discount; if you choose a 9 month supply up front, you save 30% on your total purchase.
Then, on top of that, you can use my discount code “MAMA20” at checkout to save 20% on your first month. Click here to shop Needed collagen.
While this is one of the most convenient and available brands at the grocery store, this is not a brand I would recommend for nursing moms.
Each flavor contains both natural and artificial flavors, "sunflower and/or soy lecithin", at least two different types of gums (xanthan gum, cellulose gum, or guar gum), and different forms of artificial sugars like sucralose or allulose.
Some of the flavors like Cinnamon Roll even contain carageenan, a known carcinogen.
If you're looking for a nourishing protein powder, there are so many other brands out there that you could choose instead of this one.
That being said, if this is the only one you can find or afford, I'd rather you have some protein than no protein at all. It's just not one of my recommended brands if you have the luxury of choosing options.
Muscle Milk is one of the most popular drug-store brands, which also makes it one of the most affordable brands at only $17.20/pound.
However, as in most cases, the cheaper brands often have lower quality ingredients, and Muscle Milk is no exception.
One of the ingredients I really don't like is maltodextrin. This is a preservative that has a higher glycemix index than table sugar and it's been shown to alter your gut microbiome by decreasing the amount of good bacteria and increasing the amount of bad bacteria.
Other questionable ingredients are "natural and artificial flavors," soy lecithin, and sucralose.
I've never tried Transparent Labs, but their protein powder line looks really promising!
They pride themselves on being transparent with their ingredients, so each formula has less than 5 ingredients with no artificial sweeteners, fillers, or colors. They're also 3rd party tested and source their protein from 100% grass fed cows in the U.S.
Something that makes them unique is that they have whey protein isolate, casein whey protein, organic pea and rice protein, and a collagen powder, so there's lots of options to choose from.
They're also pretty affordable at $26.08/per pound (for the whey protein isolate), given the quality of their products!
Overall, I would consider Transparent Labs a great option for breastfeeding moms. You can shop their products here on their website or here on Amazon.
Premier Protein is known for their individual protein shakes that you can get at Costco or Walmart and this is a brand that I see nursing moms talking about all the time on social media.
Many moms swear by their protein shakes and I can tell you exactly why - because when you increase your protein, you are increasing the amount of calories, quality ingredients, and micronutrients in your diet, and all of those things support milk supply! (My podcast episode 19 talks more about this in detail)
So while I don't want to discount other moms' experiences with this brand and the fact that Premier Protein shakes have helped lots of moms with their supply, I also want to share my opinion about the quality of the brand. After all, the entire point of this blog post is to find the best brands.
So yes, Premier Protein is a convenient, affordable option if you're trying to get more protein in your diet. But is it one of my most recommended brands? No.
Their protein shake ingredients list is pretty long and includes ingredients like soybean oil (which is inflammatory), natural and artificial flavors, inulin, cellulose, sucralose, and carageenan. They also have tons of vitamins and trace minerals, but I don't recommend this because it might be too much in conjunction with your prenatal vitamin.
Their protein powders are a bit better, but still contain similar ingredients to the protein shakes.
All that said, they are a very affordable ($16.55/pound for their protein powder) and accessible option for many moms, so if this is how you get your protein in, I say go for it.
I first learned about Dymatize from my brother in law because of the crazy flavors they had. He is obsessed with their Fruity Pebbles flavor, and they also carry Dunkin' Donuts flavors, birthday cake, and cookies and cream.
They also sell their protein powders in many different sizes, the biggest being 5 pounds, which brings down the cost per pound significantly.
But, as I'm sure you've learned by now, all those "fun" flavors come with not the best ingredients. In this case, the Fruity Pebbles flavor has edible glitter, Red 3, Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5, soy lecithin, and sucralose. Yikes.
Now, granted, not every flavor has all those food dyes, but I still wouldn't recommend Dymatize Iso 100 for breastfeeding moms. There are so many options that are just as affordable but with better ingredients.
I’m sure you’d recognize this protein powder when you see it. It’s one of the most well stocked protein powders at Walmart (and practically every other store) and that’s because it’s CHEAP. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest brands at $9.24/lb.
It also has one of the highest protein densities with 30g per serving.
The only catch is the ingredients. While there aren’t any artificial dyes, there are “natural and artificial ingredients,” maltodextrin, and sunflower lecithin, which brings down the quality rating to a 1 star in our meta analysis.
So, if you have a small budget but need a protein supplement, this might be a good option for you if the ingredients don’t bother you. I’d rather you have a lower quality protein supplement once a day to hit your protein goals while nursing then skip the protein altogether.
Equate also sells individual protein shakes if you have a lack of time to prepare a snack.
When I first found Ancient Nutrition, I was so excited that it was a bone broth protein powder. To me, that meant a protein powder fortified with electrolytes and that is JUST what breastfeeding mamas need.
Sure enough, I looked at the ingredients list and nutrition facts and this brand is not only a great source of animal protein but it also has sodium, potassium, and iron with it, which is wonderful. Furthermore, the flavors that require additional ingredients use organic ingredients like organic cocoa powder or organic turmeric root.
That being said, this does come at a price… literally. This is one of the most expensive protein powders I’ve seen at a whopping $53/lb without a subscription discount and $45/lb with a discount.
To me, even though the idea behind the product is great and I love the ingredients, it’s not worth the money. There are so many other brands out there that will help you boost your milk supply without draining your bank account.
If you’re still interested in this brand, you can shop their protein here on their website.
At first glance, this seems like a clean, nourishing brand of protein powder. At least, that’s what the marketing makes you think!
Unfortunately, Bloom is far from that. Their formula is full of gums (which cause bloating), artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavors. Those are not the things you want circulating in your system while nursing (or at all, for that matter).
That being said, its price point is right in the middle of the list at $25/lb. Not the cheapest, but not the most expensive, either.
I don’t recommend this brand for nursing moms, but if you want to check them out for yourself, you can shop their protein powder here on their website.
I am honestly shocked that a plant-based protein can pack 30 grams of protein per serving but Garden of Life pulled it off!
They also have pretty great ingredients, their protein is sourced from real, organic, whole foods, and they even have probiotics in their formula! The only thing I don't love is that natural flavors. Other than that, it's a great option.
Garden of Life just managed to sneak in the $$ category with $29.25/pound, so they're not crazy expensive but not the cheapest either.
You can buy Garden of Life protein powder at Walmart and here on Amazon.
This vegan protein powder is very impressive. Not only does it have 25g of plant-based protein per serving, it also has a handful of superfoods, adaptogenic herbs, and probiotics too. Their selling point is being an “all-in-one” supplement.
The only thing I don’t love is the xanthan gum and the guar gum in their formula, but I know this is common with vegan proteins because they’re not as stable as animal proteins. Other than that, their ingredients are clean, organic, and nourishing.
They also have unique flavors like coconut acai, chai, and matcha, which is fun if you’re bored of chocolate and vanilla.
Like other high quality protein powders, this does come at a steep cost. One bag of protein only has 15 servings (instead of the usual 30) and it’s $30/lb, so that puts Ka’Chava in the highest price tier.
That being said, I think this is a great option for breastfeeding if you follow a plant-based diet and have the budget for a higher quality supplement. You can shop Ka’Chava protein here.
I came across Pink Stork when I searched for “lactation protein powders” on Google and wasn’t surprised at what I found.
While this brand is marketed as a lactation brand, there isn’t anything about it that makes it lactation other than the logo and marketing strategy. There are no galactagogue ingredients in the formula; it’s only whey protein isolate, stevia leaf extract, and “natural flavors.”
So while the ingredients list is small and I can’t find anything I don’t support, there isn’t much to support, either. In other words, there’s nothing special about this formula.
On top of that, Pink Stork has a high price point at $38/lb, the container only has 15 servings (most have at least a month’s supply), and the actual serving size is small at 25g.
If you’re looking for a protein powder that will support your milk supply, Pink Stork will do that. BUT. I believe you are overpaying for an underrated product and there are many other brands out there that will give you so much more nutritionally for such a lower price point.
If you are still interested in this brand, you can shop their protein here using the code "BROOKE" at checkout or 20% off your order.
I discovered Purely Inspired on Amazon and I was pleasantly surprised to see a high quality protein powder at such an affordable price.
They are certified organic, which is great, and there's a bunch of fruits and veggies in their formula, too. I think my favorite thing about this brand is that there's 8 grams of iron and 4 grams of fiber per serving, which is incredible for a plant based protein powder.
The only catch is that there is only 20 grams of protein per serving, which is ok, but I prefer my protein powders to have at least 24. Again, that's just a personal preference.
I think Purely Inspired is a great option for breastfeeding mamas, especially because it's such a high quality supplement at such a low price point!
You can find Purely Inspired at Walgreens, Walmart, and here on Amazon.
I discovered this brand through an Instagram ad and was shocked to see how clean it was. They have one of the shortest ingredients list of any protein powder I’ve seen, their whey is 100% grass fed, and every ingredient is organic too.
Shockingly, they have an incredibly low cost at $24/lb, so not only are they high quality, but they’re very affordable, too.
Right now, ProMix has three flavors available on Amazon, but six flavors on their website. Both places have options to subscribe and save 10% on your order.
This is another really clean brand of protein powder that’s not as well known but becoming more popular.
What sets them apart is that they use a vegan formula that gets its protein from a variety of plant-based sources, including chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and peas. They also use monk fruit sweetener, which I like, and all of the flavors are completely organic.
Right now they have nine flavors, including unique flavors like vanilla chai, matcha, and pumpkin spice, alongside the classic chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla.
While their ingredients are amazing, Truvani does fall into the highest price category at $34.50/lb and the protein density is low at 20g/serving (because it’s a vegan formula), so that is something to consider when choosing your lactation protein powder.
You can shop Truvani on Amazon or on their website.
Like I mentioned above, I'm going to share the best overall protein powder for nursing moms, the best affordable protein powder, the best tasting protein powder, and the highest quality protein powder.
In my opinion, the best lactation protein powder for breastfeeding moms is Just Ingredients protein powder because it is made with the cleanest ingredients, there's more than 15 flavors to choose from, the protein powder won't hurt your stomach, and with my discount code ("thewellnourishedmama"), it's very affordable!
Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile so you can use it in so many different recipes!
Brands that you can find at your local grocery store are going to be the most affordable. However, if you want the most affordable lactation protein powder that also has great ingredients, I recommend Orgain Organic or Purely Inspired protein powder.
If the quality of ingredients isn't the most important thing for you and you have a smaller budget, I would choose Body Fortress or Pure Protein. These are the brands I have personally used and they will definitely help boost your milk supply.
I haven't tried every brand included in this analysis, but I've tried many protein powders in my time and the best tasting protein powder by far is Just Ingredients. Not only do they have tons of flavors, but the actual protein powder tastes good and it's not gritty, heavy, or gummy, and it doesn't make you bloat afterwards.
My favorite flavors from Just Ingredients are the Coconut Chocolate and the Lemon Swoosh. Use my code "thewellnourishedmama" at checkout for 10% off your order.
There are many brands that scored 3 stars in my meta analysis, but I believe the highest quality lactation protein powder is Just Ingredients. It's only made from real, whole food ingredients and their protein is the highest quality protein because it is sourced from 100% grass fed, 100% grass finished cows in New Zealand. Use my code "thewellnourishedmama" at checkout for 10% off your order.
As amazing as protein powder is, it's important to use it as a supplement for extra protein, not a meal replacement.
A healthy diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, whole grains, and low fat dairy foods.
Proper nutrition is crucial not only for your breastfeeding journey, but the healthy development of your baby.
I recommend including these whole food protein sources in your regular diet each day in addition to your lactation protein powder:
And if you want to get more food-based protein sources but you're not sure how, check out my FREE 2 week high protein meal plan! Over 15,000 people have used it to incorporate more protein into their diet and the recipes make eating high protein delicious, creative, and the farthest thing from boring.
READ MORE: How to Eat 120g of Protein a Day (+ FREE meal plan!)
Each of the 26 lactation recipes below aren't just delicious, they actually boost your milk supply too!
For all of my best lactation recipes, be sure to check out my Lactation Cookbook!
I wrote 52 recipes (one for each week of the year) and over 10 pages of my scientifically proven and personally tested tips and tricks.
I talk about the basics of lactation biology and nutrition, the best lactogenic foods, and answer questions like "how to have a good supply while weight lifting" or "how to keep my supply when my period comes back" and more!
You can download my cookbook here.
Apple Pecan French Toast Casserole
Blueberry Almond Waffle for One
Peanut Butter Banana Chia Oatmeal
Peanut Butter Banana Waffle for One
Sesame Ginger Chicken Meatballs
Carrot Cake Bars with Greek Yogurt Frosting
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerio Protein Bars
The BEST Lactation Banana Bread
Sugar-free Birthday Cake Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
White Chocolate Cranberry Energy Bites
Chocolate Chia Pudding Parfait
Edible Brownie Batter (high protein!)
Sugar-free Strawberry Crumble Bars
23 Ways to Make Breast Milk Fattier
Protein is essential for a nursing mom and her baby's development, so I analyzed the top 30 protein powders and found the best lactation protein powder for breastfeeding moms. I also share how to choose a protein powder and my best lactation recipes!
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