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!

A thermos cup is a good idea, breastfeeding or not.

A savoy cabbage?

How about a 'voucher' entitling her to a meal prepared by you, or something else that would make life easier in the early days?

Like the idea of a cooked meal, or some housework. ButI sort of agree with belgo all new mums need a treat.

A link to MN breast and bottle feeding?

Pre wrapped chocolate brioche, several small bottles of wine, some 'posh' cordial, a huge box of chocolates and a promise to deliver cake on demand. Lansinoh and a link to the kelly mom website.

You tube has some excellent videos to show you how to latch on etc It was really useful for me.... maybe search for a really good one and write down the link on a nice card?

Honestly worth a look - was a godsend for me at 3am on my I phone whilst rest of house slept!

BF pillow? hand pump? Syringes fm chemist? (for early days)

I personally wouldnt have taken a carton of formula as unsupportive but more as symbolic of "it's ok if it does not work out" happy mum - happy baby :) Also I very successfully mixed fed my second which kept me BF for a good 5 more weeks.

Great idea! Almost everything is useful even if things didn't work out, lansinoh is great for sore lips/dry hands etc. I like the rescue remedy spray for wobbly moments (bf related or otherwise) so one of those might be a nice idea. I also got through loads of energy bars at 5am in the early days, those Nakd ones from holland and Barrett are great to have in the change bag/car/side of the sofa for blood sugar dips and they feel like they're healthy too! What a lovely friend you are, she's very lucky!

King Size Mars Bar. Top tip from my midwife when I was feeding. She said if I ate a KS Mars bar last thing at night, fed DS, put him down to sleep, then he would only wake once again in night as mars-bar rich milk would sustain him til morning. What can I say! It worked.

Istillfeelseventeen total rubbish though!

If she has already expressed a strong interest in BF then don't put the formula in. Giving her a basket of BF goodies isn't being provocative, it's supporting her in the decision she has already made.

Some good suggestions here already. How about adding a list of useful numbers: her local BF support group, LLL or ABM.

You could find some BF funnies on the web to print out and some "how to support your wife when she's BF" for the Dad.

You sound lovely. I wish someone had done something like that for me.

For those thinking it's a bad idea - I totally appreciate where you are coming from and yes, for some people it would be a terrible idea and seen to be adding pressure to BF. However, I trust that I know her well enough that she will take it well, it won't pressure her (I wouldn't do that - I agree FFing mummies deserve treats just as much and am a HUGE believer in happy mummy happy baby) and won't upset her if BF doesn't work out.
Lol at the mars bar. Maybe I'll try that, any excuse...

I hadn't heard the ribbon on the bra idea - my friend has a bracelet like this: www.izzysmum.co.uk/p/LA-R1/booby-reminder-bracelet-this-boob-next-/. You might be able to make something more cheaply if you have a good bead shop nearby.

I was bought some hand cream which went down well as my hands were extremely dry from increased amount of washing them...

gingerbubs, I think this is a lovely idea & wish I had a friend like you!

May I just suggest, rather than the ribbon to tie to the bra, an elasticated pretty bracelet - much easier to switch over, especially when holding LO.

Other stuff I'm finding useful:

• Snacky foods but not all chocolate & biscuits, DS is 11 weeks & I'm heavier than I was pre-pg because I could not stop snacking on junk. Maybe some nuts or dried fruit if she likes that? McVities do do some light digestives & rich tea biscuits which are nice!
• Robinson's sugar free apple & blackcurrant, I get through tons a day!
• Chatty magazines for perusing during feeds
• Lansinoh, not so much now but definitely in the early days
• Breast pads, I like Philips Avent Ultra-comfort ones

Does she have a Kindle? If so, you can get Amazon gift vouchers (no minimum spend AFAIK) so she could download a few e-books.

HTH & can you be my friend?

Oh & just to add, I don't think it will place any pressure on your friend. I think it will show her how supportive you are of her decision & that will be appreciated. :)

regarding the snacky foods thing - you can get her a graze box? (www.graze.com) and they do healthy snacky things through the post (so it could be a 'surprise' for her - you can add a supportive message)?

Love the bracelet idea. And cordial is a must.
Thanks!

Oh and will look into graze boxes, ta.

A large thermos flask and a few packs of Mothers Helper herbal tea if you can find it, or other nice herbal teas.

I drank gallons of herbal teas the first couple of months and making it by the flask full was fab.

Raid a health food shop for lots of tasty snacks - 9 bars are awesome

Re the reminder ribbons/bands etc I could never remember if I was marking last or next feed. I quick jiggle suffices

I think it's a lovely idea.

Deffo a cabage!
I like Johnsons pads.

My favourites are the Lansinoh pads, although I usually struggle to find them in the shops (also why do the have to be individually wrapped? It's such a waste of packaging...)

I didn't use the Lansinoh cream I bought either time but maybe I'm unusual on that front. I did end up with massively dry hands due to all the extra hand washing so second magpieC's suggestion of hand cream. :)

If money is no object I suggest an iPad.

I used to make myself comfy in front of the computer when dd2 woke up in the wee hours. Wedge her in a cushion on my lap between me and the table and latch her on and then disappear into MN or shopping for a while. Bliss.

Oh and I wish I had done this but someone suggested making up a flask of tea/coffee before you go to bed, and then at least you can have a sup of something whilst you're stuck to baby in the middle of the night. Biscuits, etc.

Sorry meant to say put a pretty flask in her basket!