What would you put in a breastfeeding gift basket?

[LupusinaLlamasuit]

Really want to do this for someone about to have a baby for the first time but worried that some of the things I have in mind might be seen as presuming it might go badly!

So I'm thinking of the following:

Breastpads
Card with websites, BF helplines
Gift voucher for nice nursing bra (Figleaves? Anita?)
Two stretchy vests in her size
My old Jack Newman book

And then I was going to have in a parcel-taped box with 'Only Open in Case of Emergencies' on :

Lansinoh
Jelonet
a feeding cup/dropper

Is this last bit a bad idea? What would you add/lose in either category?

Thanks

its a great idea if she is planning to bf lupusina. why not also include some baby bath stuff, i got some in a gift basket, as well as baby essentials which i still have to this date and my dd is 2.

list of contact numbers/addresses for lactation consultants/nurses or support groups e.g. La Leche league.

And mention MN!

The best thing I had in advance of the BF was a book called....

Fuck me no don't give her that I didn't realise who it was by!

If you don't know whether she's planning on BF or not it might be an idea to keep it a bit more general IYSWIM. Underwear voucher can be spent on anything, stretchy vests and chocolate always handy!!!

How about a cushion for her feet, when she has them up on the coffee table?! Maybe a little radio (or even a smart solar one) so she can listen to Radio 4/World Service, depending on the hour . And the Domino's pizza menu so she can have a little self indulgence.

It's a lovely idea - some great suggestions.

Second (or third?) the suggestion of 'vouchers' stating your support/shoulder to cry on etc...I am bf my 5 month old lo and have found it hard, the thing that got me thru was the constatnt support of two really good friends , one of whom bf successfully and the other who didn't. Their shoulders were invaluable!

And the cake is a brilliant idea - someone sent my luxury mixed nuts as she said I might struggle even to make a piece of toast - oh how right she was!

Actually yes pointing her in direction of MN is a fab idea!

A widgey pillow www.bumpto3.com/product.aspx?DISPLAYCAT=bump&CAT=Products&CATGRY=pregnancy_essentials&PID=KA1 05 I couldn't survive without mine! A sports bottle (the kind you can open with your teeth) for one handed drinks, cereal bars and I agree that muslins are a great idea. I have 12 and it's still not enough! Asda do really nice ones x

speaking as a pregnant woman, PATE! Oh I can hardly wait to have some .

Just to reiterate- Lansinoh is a MUST not an emergency item.
Even if all goes perfectly well and she only uses it for a short amount of time, she'll definitely need some.

In the States they actually recommend using Lansinoh prior to giving birth to 'prepare the nipples'- that's the way my midwive phrased it...

The book "The Food of Love" is good.

Also contact your local NCT branch for some things - their sheet "Reasons to be Proud" is fab and reminds you that every breastfeed makes a difference, whether you breastfeed for 2 days or 2 years. They will also I think have little business-card sized cards with the details of the local breastfeeding drop-ins and numbers of the bf helplines on (or you could make one up yourself, with mumsnet on too!)

You could make some "lactation cookies" which are basically biscuits with milk-production boosting ingredients and are easy to eat one-handed. Google for recipes.

I like the muslins from ikea, they are nice-looking and reasonably priced.

If your basket/budget is big enough, a stretchy wrap with intructions! Or a close carrier.

Oh and nice bras = hotmilk. (Figleaves do stock these) with instruction not to be used until she's feeling able to go out and get properly measured first (This should avoid the first leaky phase)

We actually bought Lansinoh originally to put on DS's chin as it was getting really sore - the midwives recommended it as obviously it's safe for them to ingest. Had to get a friend to pick it up as we were in the 'agh new baby unable to leave the house' stage, she doesn't have kids or really 'do; babies, and wasn't particularly impressed about having to buy nipple cream!

Used it on my breasts in the end though, though I was never sure if it was doing any good.

I think it's a lovely idea, and offers of support are definitely some of the best things. I found out after the fact that two of my friends had stopped breastfeeding as they'd struggled, and couldn't help wondering if they'd had better support (primarily from the NHS would have been good, but friends who understand mean a heck of a lot) they would have continued.

Breasts!

Sorry camomile cream, some lovely rich body cream to help combat stretch marks, a triangle cushion (if you are feeling rich), some gorgeous chocolates, a book token. Years ago you could get some fantastic stuff called rotasept that stopped sore nipples - but I can't find it and the mws don't recommend it anymore - but when I had DS#1 it was the only thing that stopped me giving up in agony.

I think breast feeding gift basket is a fab idea. I was planning to get some bits for my Sil when she has her baby and there are loads of good ideas on here. I think it's lovely to get new mums stuff as often people buy for the new baby and forget about the mum. Brilliant thread sazlocks

oops meant brilliant thread LupusinaLlamasuit.... Sorry

Not sure I'd have liked a breastfeeding basket - even though I was always totally committed to breastfeeding and never for once conisdered otherwise.
It's like someone bought me a "baby toiletries" present - far too bloody practical, wehre's the fun in that? I liked opening lovely little baby clothes, or funky changing bag.
Anyway, if you're set on it, I'd simplyput in a load of patterned T-shirts and tops - disguises leakages very well.

Do you think the fact that I have a ten month old means it is too late to tell DH that I need to bf basket

Fab idea! But I do think it would be wise to check her plans first.

think this is a lovely idea. though re EVERONE needing lanisoh - I didn't?? What's it for??

think this is a lovely idea. though re EVERONE needing lanisoh - I didn't?? What's it for??

Lovely idea - sure it will be much appreciated. Definitely nice to have one nice breastfeeding bra, just for those days when you want to pretend to be a girl again for a bit!

I want a BF gift-basket! What a fabulous idea!

Do gently inquire about her intentions/thoughts on BF first though...

Lanisoh definitely not an emergency product though.

Chocolate/lovely baked goods are a must

• Magazine subscription?
• V shaped pillow- I had one from mothercare which was fab (didn't get on with a widgie)
• Extra cover for pillow? *As well as the NCT/LLL info include details of local BF groups if any, and web addresses for sites like Kellymom etc.
• a BF bracelet or pin (completely unnecessary 'silly' item, but useful for remembering what side your on after yet another sleepless night!)
• Milk storage bags?

Also second someone's proposal for a book of 'vouchers' for favours/help around the house.

If you def know she's going to BF, then a BF bracelet would be nice? booby reminder bracelets I think they're known as, helps you remember which side next, without obsessing over it. I've got this one:
www.mamatobegoodies.co.uk/personalized-booby-reminder%C2%AE-breastfeeding-bracelet/
but if you google it am sure you'll find others.

Also, agree wholeheartedly, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate.

If she's likely to BF for at least 6 months, you can also get a similar necklace, jingle boobs or something it's called, which is for when baby starts to get distracted and look around the room rather than feeding, so the idea is they play with the necklace whilst feeding (again, google).

blinder - if you're breastfeeding you still can't have pate!!! sorry - but I was told the vitamin A is still too strong and can get into the breast milk ... you'll have to hold off for a bit longer!

Lovely idea of the basket - can't say breastpads a re v romantic - but a bravissimo voucher might be good as if she gives up on the BF she can still get a nice bra.

Also - baby bath stuff - I was given a load and never used the Johnson and Johnson stuff (too many nasties in it) and only started using organic stuff once baby was about 4 months old. Before that they don't need anything.

Sounds like a brilliant idea! If you're feeling like splashing out big time then possibly a round-the-body sling too, that you can feed the baby in?

I'd also echo the breastfeeding pillow as being good. I had a horseshoe-shaped one with DD and was great for feeding her when she was teeny.