A reader asks: I am attending a baby shower for a friend. I'd like to get her something that will help make her breastfeeding experience more comfortable. What should I buy?
Whether you want to spend $0, $20, or $100, here are some ideas to get you started no matter what your gift-giving budget1:
- Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding (Ina May Gaskin)
- The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (La Leche League, International)
- So That's What They're For (Janet Tamaro)
- The Breastfeeding Book (Martha and William Sears)
- The Nursing Mother's Companion (Kathleen Huggins)
- Nursing Mother, Working Mother (Gale Pryor)
- Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws For Breastfeeding Mothers (Nancy Mohrbacher)
- The Food of Love: The Easier Way to Breastfeed Your Baby (Kate Evans)
Breastfeeding Wear (apparel and carriers)
- Nursing tank tops (Target and Walmart have affordable options; Motherhood Maternity's tanks are a little pricier)
- Nursingwear (we got recommendations for Motherwear, Milkface, Precious Image Creations, Expressiva, and Japanese Weekend Maternity)
- ErgoBaby Carrier
- Mei Tai
- Moby
- Ring Sling
- Nursing necklace (you can find beautiful nursing jewelry on Etsy)
- Nursing reminder bracelet (many readers use Milkbands)
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| Breastfeeding State Law Cards |
- Breastfeeding State Law Cards
- Nursing pillow (My Brest Friend, Boppy)
- Reusable water bottle (and perhaps a Brita water filter)
- A comfortable footstool
- Sturdy bag or basket to carry things in from room to room while nursing
Nursing Distractions (to make those early days of 24/7 nursing easier)
- DVD's
- Netflix subscription
- Books (on paper or on CD)
- Music (iTunes gift certificates are handy)
- Subscription to Mothering (or other magazines)
- Nipple cream (Wildroot Botanicals, Lanolin, MotherLove)
- Reusable/cloth nipple pads (Sustainable Stitchery)
- Nursing mother's tea (Milk Maid, Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk)
- Soothies gel pads
- Hot/Cold packs (Earth Mama Angel Baby's Booby Tubes were recommended by one reader)
Gifts of Service and Time
- Frozen meals
- Fresh veggies, fruits, and other snacks (cut and ready to eat)
- Lactation cookies (recipe on Epicurious)
- Offer to babysit, answer breastfeeding questions, etc.
- Accompany her to a La Leche League or other breastfeeding readiness meeting (before and/or after baby arrives); you might also consider buying her a LLL membership if she enjoys it.
- Gift certificate for a housekeeper (or an offer to come clean for her)
- Phone numbers for local LLL leaders
- Gift certificate for post-partum doula
- Gift certificate for a foot massage
- Gift certificate for a photographer session, or an offer to take photos yourself
- Gift certificate for a session with a Lactation Consultant
What would you have wanted as a new nursing mother?
What have you given as a breastfeeding-themed gift in the past?
What have you given as a breastfeeding-themed gift in the past?
We asked the wonderful mothers on NursingFreedom.org's Facebook Page and Code Name: Mama's Facebook Page, thank you for the responses, mamas! The Amazon links on this page are affiliate links. By clicking on an Amazon link and purchasing a product, you will be helping support the mission and work of NursingFreedom.org. There are also links to our CafePress page - we appreciate your support!
3 comments:
I think giving someone a nipple shield before their baby is even born is a bad idea. They really should be used under the advice of a lactation consultant, since once you start out with it, you may be stuck with it for awhile. (I know I was, and I am pretty sure it was unnecessary.)
Another great book is "The Food of Love." It's got comics and cute pictures.
Good point, Sheila - I decided to leave a couple of other suggested items off for the same reason. This one slipped past me!
I have a friend who makes nursing covers and matching burp cloths...her website is www.foryourpeanut.com and her name is Amanda Stamm. They are structured at the top so you can see the baby nursing, etc....My sister loved hers! It is my favorite gift for a new mom who plans to nurse.
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