Breastfeeding 'goodie bag' suggestions

[gingerbubs]

Hi,
A friend of mine is due her baby in a few weeks and we are having a baby shower for her soon. I know she is really keen to breastfeed so I'm hoping to put together a wee basket of handy things and am looming for suggestions of things to put in it. So far I'm thinking lanisoh, a ribbon to tie to bra to remind her what side she's on and a cute notebook for the same, some chocolate/snacks and a magazine or book token (obviously just as tokens, not to actually stock her up), some breast pads (any recommendations which are best? I think I liked tommee tippee ones but can't really remember). Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

[gingerbubs]

*looking - sorry

[LoopyLoopsPussInBoots]

Lanisnoh breast pads. I didn't bother last time I was breastfeeding because of the cost, but they are so much better (have tried them ALL now)!

[LoopyLoopsPussInBoots]

A camping Thermos cup thing with lid to avoid spillages but maximum tea drinking

[Nagoo]

get general stuff, like a basket for near the telly with a shitload of chocolate in it, a box set to watch, and an insulated cup. Then if it doesnt work out like she thinks, she won't be too sad :)

[gingerbubs]

Thanks, all great suggestions so far - especially thermos cup, wish I had thought of that for me!

[posterofawolef]

A copy of 'Mother Food' lovely book about foods that help breastfeeding and worksite traditions. Or LLL Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Two of the best books I have read for breastfeeding.

[SlinkyB]

I second chocolate and cordial.

I tried lots of different breast pads, and Johnsons were my favourite. I also had a notepad and pen in my bf basket, along with some Vaseline and nipple shields.

Lovely idea by the way - just hope it all works out for her!

[gingerbubs]

I know, I wouldn't do it if I thought she would feel it was any pressure or 'judgy' of me but I think she will like it and don't think it would add to upset if it doesn't work out. Will try to keep most if it useful if she does switch to formula for whatever reason though.

[Nagoo]

And Hob Nobs

[thisisyesterday]

i preferred washable breastpads

the womanly art of breastfeeding is a fantastic book

def agree with a dvd box set of something

some pretty muslins?

[StealthPolarBear]

The food oflove by Kate Evans is brilliant

[drcrab]

Some 'mothers tea' or whatever they call it. Essentially fennel (plus some other herbs) and it's pretty yummy. I had some posted to me by german friends and it was great help in milk production etc. You can get it in this country too.

[Moodykat]

Some breast cool pad things that I know you can get from sainsbo's but can't remember what they're called! Lovely when engorgement sets in!

[TitaniaP]

I was going to add fennel tea but someone's already mentioned it. Not breastfeeding related but I did a post natal box for a friend and included lavender oil (a couple of drops in the bath to help with healing if need be ( MW recommended this)) and also arnica tablets as they really helped me with the bruising post birth.

[posypom]

I have a little shoulder bag (nothing fancy but you could get a pretty one) which I put my notebook, lansinoh, Infacol and phone in so I can carry it around the house with me all day. I got sick of traipsing up and down the stairs with a hungry screaming baby trying to remember where I'd breastfed last, or worse getting him latched on and then seeing ny phone ring just out of arm's reach.

Another good book is Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher - I read it when I was pregnant and it really helped prepare me so I think I avoided a lot of the pitfalls that cause people to give up.

[SootySweepandSue]

I wouldn't theme a gift for BF to be honest. Many women desperately want to BF and find they can not and then suffer with enormous guilt. Why not just a settling in gift ?

[LoopyLoopsPussInBoots]

What's the notepad for?

Not clock watching I hope? Bad plan, surely?

[SlinkyB]

My notepad was for just jotting stuff down so I didn't forget. I'm a big list-writer though. Think I wrote down all the gifts we'd been given and who from, so that we could do nice thank-you letters.

[PerryCombover]

[TheRealMBJ]

No need for formula just in case. It is widely available after all, plus Canberra perceived as unsupportive.

A voucher for ahoy milk nursing bra?

The Food of Love by Kate Evans. Excellent book with great information and hilariously empathetic cartoons.

[TheRealMBJ]

Canberra?!?

Can be

[gingerbubs]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Can see why a carton of aptamil would be a good gift, emphasises it's not te end of the world if she needs to use formula, but I know there are times that I might have caved and given formula if it was in the house in the early days. There are always 24 hour supermarkets. Will have a look at the food of love. Trying not to spend too much as my wee one is only 4 months and my pay is dwindling by the day... Just looking to get little useful but token things really.
Thanks again!

[belgo]

I wouldn't give a breastfeeding goodie bag; and I wouldn't give a formula milk goodie bag is a misguided attempt to 'balance out' the pressure of breastfeeding.

I would just give a 'new mother' goodie bag, and put plenty of chocolate and teas/coffees into it - after all all new mothers deserve treats, breastfeeding or not.