BTDT breastfeeding/pumping mommas

[quietdownfish]

My BFF is having a little girl in March.  Her shower is Sunday and I am a procrastinator.  I know what I want to do for her, which is get a basket and fill it with all the breastfeeding/pumping things that I would have liked to have.  I love the idea of a basket with a handle so she can easily move it here and there.  I had a basket with everything I needed and it was so easy to breastfeed wherever I lay and MH could bring me all the things.

So here is my list:
-lanolin
-vaseline
-small box of breast pads (since we all have a preference)
-soothies
-Motrin
-water bottle
-protein bars (like a Luna bar)

Do you have any other suggestions?  I really want to provide the things for her that I had no idea were helpful as well.  (IE vaseline on your nipple pads so the lanolin didn't stick)  So please bounce some things off me!

TIA!

[jumparoundbucky]

A nursing scarf or nursing necklace would be a nice addition

[quietdownfish]

Jan 23, 2015 14:44:45 GMT -5 jumparoundbucky said:

A nursing scarf or nursing necklace would be a nice addition

I had to look this up!  You learn something new everyday... thanks for the suggestion!  I'm not sure if I can find something so short notice but I will definitely look!!

[vtcnicely]

I was going to say a big scarf she could use instead of a hooter hider. Nursing bras from target. I had reusable breast pads that I really liked. Did she get a bopie or nursing pillow?

[daffodil428]

I'm a FTM, but wanted to chime in. What about those clip things that attach to your bra to let you know which side you're on?

[quietdownfish]

Great ideas! @vtnicely I thought about a boppy... I need to check her registry and see if someone got it already. daffodil428 I never knew those existed. I am learning so much today

[noname]

Milk storage bags, spare pump parts if you know what pump she's using. I also used the Lansinoh Therapearls a ton- it's these round gel packs that can be heated for clogged ducts or frozen for pain/engorgement and fit nicely over your boobs.

[telos]

I always used a bracelet to remember what side I was on. Maybe a fun little elastic one? Or a pack of those ribbon hair bands that you can wear as bracelets? I've seen them at Target.



A watch might be too pricey, but so useful in the newborn phase.

Also, a book? "So That's What They're For" is the best one I've read - a friend bought it for me. Nice little paperback.

Washcloths or burp cloths to catch overactive let down, leaking before/after latch.

ETA: link to book on Amazon - www.amazon.com/So-Thats-What-Theyre-Breastfeeding/dp/1580620418

Oh, and tell her about kellymom.com

I'm nursing DD to sleep as I write this. Blissful day off.

[bcmomsaysso]

Mother's milk tea, and those gel pads that you can chill or heat up for when the girls get achy.

Edit. Someone beat me to the gel pads

[cheesypeas]

You could do burp rags for burping and wiping. And if she happens to end up having severe over-supply issues like I did, burp rags become a life saver to catch the "spray" during let-down so that the baby doesn't choke with each nursing session. I don't know if that's a very common problem or not burping is pretty common nonetheless.

I also used these to help with healing but they might be better left for her to buy if she ends up having damage to fix.
link

[aelias]

These guys:



 Not exactly discreet (though not terribly obvious), but super helpful if you've got sore nips and want give them a little breathing room.

www.target.com/p/medela-softshells-for-sore-nipple/-/A-561211?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=561211&CPNG=Baby&kpid=561211&LID=9pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=561211&kpid=561211&gclid=CjwKEAiA_4emBRCxi8_f2cWWjFcSJAB-v1qyasccEsETWXbIuyFaMcWUOkxFQnBEVT3FX2Xv3HwowxoCURfw_wcB

[wildermom]

Y'all have covered so many awesome things already!

I do ditto the storage containers or bags (whatever fits her pump) so she can have a solid freezer stash.
And labels for the freezer stash so she can write dates.
Extra part for the pump, YES! Washing those constantly is the worst!
And maybe a hands free bra that holds the pump on? (They kinda look like sports bras with boob holes) Those are excellent so you can atleast have your hands back while you're pumping.
Also, a little travel cooler for her bottles? If she's pumping I'm assuming she'll be carrying bottles around and you can find the one to fit her brand with a little ice pack inside to keep the milk good.

[sissykate21]

quietdownfish Great gift idea! Everyone has offered excellent suggestions that I cannot improve upon. So I thought of a potential complimentary gift. You mentioned how handy it was to have this BF basket. With my DD, we had a similar thing only for diapers; it fit a small number of diapers, a container of wipes, rash cream, a soft roll-out pad to put on the floor/couch/chair, and whatever else was handy for diapering.
Depending on how realistic this is (and how much you want to do/spend) you could get a matching basket for a quick portable diaper caddy.

[econmarie]

"The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" by La Leche League

[lulurm]

Such awesome suggestions!! I would LOVE this gift, what a great idea. @aliam20 when the time comes you'll definitely have to share that recipe with us, those cookies sound delicious!

[cubberss]

I *love* the Gilligan and O'Malley nursing tanks from Target.

[RandomName]

This is such a great gift idea quietdownfish. 

Something else that I found helpful, especially when I was just starting to pump/breastfeed was a little clock. Also a small light that is easy on the eyes for night time feeding/pumping. 

Something like this:

[lawndog1216]

I can't emphasize the gel pads enough -- here's the Amazon link, but my husband found them at Target for me.

www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Soothies-Gel-Pads-count/dp/B00NK7VDNI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422055641&sr=8-2&keywords=lansinoh+soothies

[quietdownfish]

lawndog1216 I LIVED for the soothies! I would put them in the fridge and put them on. HEAVEN FOR THR BEWBS.

Thank you ladies for the lovely ideas! I will post a picture tomorrow after I put it all together and spend all my money

[ady45]

When I breastfed, I was always soooo thirsty. Maybe a giant water bottle/cup with a lid. I had one that I kept full of ice water beside me at all times.

[lilpez]

Soooo many great things in here!
This one may not be necessary, and she may have to pick out her size, but I personally would have never been able to continue breastfeeding without my nipple shield in the beginning. The hospital gave me mine, but it helped so much with DS poor latch in the beginning

[ady45]

This gives me some ideas of things to stock up on. I want to get some soothies! Although, I kept reading that as smoothies at first and want that too. Lol

[karlamo]

I'm not sure how much money you want to spend but Momzelle has the BEST breast feeding shirts. They make different styles but each shirt had flaps that you pull up instead of having to lift your entire shirt. It's nice to not be so exposed and you don't get cold air on your back!
They make long sleeve, short, and tank tops.

[ajetter]

Wow a basket of all this sounds awesome! What a great idea. I was going to echo burp cloths or something of that nature. I never had oversupply issues and there was still always milk everywhere. I remember one of the first few times I nursed DD2 and was like why the hell are we both so wet?!?!

[laurasuzanne2006]

A giant water bottle to keep hydrated and not have to keep getting up for more

[kristabelieve]

I agree with many of the suggestions, especially the nursing necklace, mother's milk tea, lactation cookie supplies and storage bags. I'd add in a burp cloth or two. My son would spit up a ton after every feeding so we went through those like crazy. Hopefully she won't have that problem but you never know. Such a great idea BTW.

[tigger815]

When I had DD. I bought colored cloth diapers from Target that were pinks and purples (Gerber brand). I used them as burp cloths. Thicker than a typical burp cloth. LOVED THEM.
A nursing night gown may be a good complimentary gift with the basket o goodies.

[hurricaine]

I love the suggestions so far and would only add a book! Something she can hold easily (like, not dictionary thick) and maybe a booklight?

Aside from towels (nursing pads didn't cut it), and nipple cream, my kindle was my favourite nursing aid. It made it so much easier because I didn't have to turn pages, and it kept me sane through the cluster and midnight feeding.

[oopsiedaisies]

Totally love this idea quietdownfish. I also used coconut oil instead of the lanolin cream. It was cheaper and lasted longer. And its dual purpose for baby's bum is they get a rash.

[snyder124]

What a thoughtful idea !!