10 Gifts Ideas for a Breastfeeding Mom

Support is important for successful breastfeeding. Treat the new mom (or not so new mom) in your life with a gift that will encourage her and aid her in successfully breastfeeding.

Books
Arm the nursing mom with all the information she will need. Provide the breastfeeding mom with resources that will support successful breastfeeding allowing her to read up on the basics and troubleshoot challenges. La Leche League International publishes a very thorough book called The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. An informational but light hearted choice for is So That's What They're For by Janet Tamaro.

Gift Card to Motherwear
Chances are mom is going to need some new clothes post-partum. A gift card will to Motherwear will let mom choose what she likes and will fit. Motherwear sells stylish clothing that allows easy nursing. They also sell a variety of nursing bras; a must for all nursing moms. Nursing wear supports easy breastfeeding moms by making breastfeeding easy in public places.

Advocacy Wear
Let mom and babe show their support for breastfeeding and pick out some advocacy wear. Cafe Press offers a variety of clothing styles and prints for both mom and baby. Choose something simple with the International breastfeeding symbol or something more fun. My favorite one is "My mommy makes milk. What's your super power?" Other prints include "Top Ten Reasons to Breastfeed," "Breast is Best," "Breast Milk. Its What's for Dinner," and "Human Milk for Human Babies." With all the options you're sure to fine something that will fit your friend's style.

Nursing Pads
A nursing mom will likely need nursing pads, especially in the beginning. Save her the embarrassment of leaky breasts so that she can be confident in public. Instead of disposables which are bad for the environment go for cloth. A great choice for both absorbency and ability to breathe are the Organic Velour Nursing Pads by Swaddlebees. They are available in three different colors; sage, periwinkle, and peach.

Sigg Bottle
A breastfeeding mom needs lots of water. Encourage her to get plenty with a Sigg bottle. Riggs come in a variety of prints, sizes, and with different cap styles. Siggs are made of aluminum so you don't have to worry about any nasty chemicals being leached by plastic. A Sigg will help mom to have water at hand around the house and on the go.

Zingerman'sZingerman's Midnight Feeding Box
Mom is going to be up in the middle of the night breastfeeding. Give her a box of extra yummy food from Zingerman's for when she needs a midnight snack or is too tired the next day to think about fixing something. Some items in the box include artisan bread, cheese, and a sour cream coffee cake. You'll be her new best friend. A nursing mom needs the extra calories and having food on hand will make her life easier.

Tea Time
Treat mom to some nursing mother's teas like that by Yogi Teas. She'll be able to relax with a nice, hot cup of tea with herbs that support a breastfeeding mother's milk supply. Pair it was a pretty mug for a relaxing gift.

Breast Care Kit
Sometimes breastfeeding is not easy. Engorgement and sore nipples can give a breastfeeding mom lots of trouble. Help her get through those rough time. Breast Therapy Pads by Gerber can be used to apply coolness or warmth to the breast to help cope with engorgement, mastitis, and clogged ducts. A lanolin cream like that from Lansinoh is safe to use while breastfeeding baby and helps treat and prevent dry cracked nipples. She'll be glad to have these on hand.

Nursing Pillow
Help mom nurse in comfort. A nursing pillow will help mom comfortably nurse baby in the proper position. A nursing pillow is especially helpful for mom have had to have a c-section. The most popular nursing pillow on the market is the Boppy which is available in many colors and prints.

Subscription to Mothering Magazine
Supply the breastfeeding mom with some good reading material. Mothering magazine supports natural family living which includes breastfeeding. This will be a great resource for mom to learn more about breastfeeding and other parenting issues. A subscription to Mothering will give the mom something to look forward to throughout the year.