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Breastfeeding Basket: The Best Baby Shower Gift You Can Give to a New Mama

In this post you can find nine breastfeeding essentials to go into a breastfeeding basket for the new mama-to-be.

Who doesn’t love shopping for a new baby? Miniature everything; clothes, shoes, socks—oh the itsy-bitsy baby socks. Aren’t they just the cutest? You should see how cute they are when they are always falling off your baby’s feet. 

Then you have all the cute baby gadgets and toys that most likely won’t ever get played with because the baby is too preoccupied with the door stoppers and the spatulas. 

If you are going to attend a baby shower, I recommend skipping the cutesy clothes and gadgets and go straight for a practical gift, especially if the mother plans on breastfeeding.

After having my son, I had a lot of trouble with breastfeeding which contributed to my Postpartum Depression, so I made a promise to myself that I would help future mamas experiencing a similar situation.

One way I help first-time-mamas is by gifting them a basket of practical items for their baby shower. If they plan on breastfeeding, I give them a basket full of breastfeeding essentials that, in my case, a first-time-mom might not realize she needs until she needs it at the moment.

Below is a list of 9 breastfeeding essentials for the breastfeeding mama.

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Breastfeeding Basket for Expecting Mamas

   1. Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

If you read my post Tips for Breastfeeding After a C-Section, you will know why I highly recommend the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump.

I never thought I would need a manual breast pump when I was pregnant. Why would I want to pump myself when there are electric machines that will do it for you.

Well, those electronic machines might pump for you, but they don’t hold themselves. So good luck trying to multitask connected to a device. 

Not only is the hand pump portable, but it EXPRESSES MORE MILK than an electric pump. NO JOKE.

All you have to do is get good suction and hold down and watch the milk flow!!! I also brought this pump to work with me (I work in the restaurant industry part-time where breaks are not a thing) and it allowed me the possibility of pumping without needing to be near an outlet.

2. Medela Nipple Shields

These are a MUST HAVE for the future breastfeeding mommy, especially in the hospital where the baby might have trouble establishing a latch. I used these for about two weeks after Lennox was born. They also helped ease nipple-pain, especially when I got thrush.

3. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump

The Haaka Manual Breastpump might be one of my favorite things ever. It is seriously genius, but only if you use it correctly. If used accurately, you can use it in one of two ways:

1.  To catch the letdown while you are breastfeeding your baby.

2.  To catch the letdown while you are pumping. In my case, whenever I would use my Medela hand pump, I would suction this bad boy onto my other breast and watch it fill up.

How to use the Haaka

Using the Haaka correctly is essential. What you want to do is take the round opening of the Haaka and flip it back towards the bottom. Then you’re going to put the neck of the Haaka onto your nipple and let the flanged part suction to your breast. I made the mistake of just squeezing the bulb and suctioning it on to my breast, and it was not as effective.

NOTE: “Don’t Cry Over Spilled-Milk”

Yes, Do cry over spilled milk. I did on several occasions, especially with the Haaka.

This awesome gadget is excellent at collecting breastmilk, but it’s also great at tipping over. It is top heavy, therefore, make sure you store your milk right away and don’t make my many mistakes of setting it on a table.

Furthermore, once your baby becomes more mobile, he will be tempted to grab at the Haakaa, so make sure you don’t let him spill your golden liquid.

4. Dr. Brown Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags

As a mom of a newborn, washing bottles and pump parts is one of the last things, you want to do after you have been a prisoner to your cluster-feeding baby. Then on top of that, you’re supposed to sterilize your parts?

The Dr. Brown Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags were a huge time saver for me. I would wash the bottles and load the bags up. Once the bags were full, you add two ounces of water, close the bag and place it in the microwave for 3 minutes. Ta Da! None of that waiting for water to boil nonsense.

5. Dr. Brown Bottles

Dr. Brown bottles were my favorite because they help with colic and reflux. Also, they have the slowest-flowing preemie nipple which mimics the milk flow from the breast. 

6. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

7.  Mother’s Milk Herbal Tea

This tea is mild to the taste. I added a little bit of honey, and it tasted pretty good. It also increased my supply when I drank it regularly.

Traditional Medicinals Tea, Organic Mother's Milk, Promotes Healthy Lactation, Breastfeeding Support, 16 Tea Bags
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

8. Kiinde Breastmilk Storage Twist Starter Kit

The Kiinde Breastmilk storage system is terrific. It comes with pump adapters that connect to electric pumps. You attach the storage bags on to the adapter themselves, and it pumps right into the bag.

From there, the bags come with lids to store them.

The kit also comes with two different nipples (slow and fast ) and a bottle-frame that you slide the bag into connecting right onto the nipples. It saves you A LOT of washing and sterilizing. It also comes with a storage rack to store your milk in the freezer.

9. Dr. Brown’s Bottle Brush

A bottle brush is an absolute necessity to clean the milk out of the bottles. This brush has been my favorite because it has a suction cup that sticks to your sink and the chevron brush is soft and expands into the base of the bottle.

Have fun making putting together this breastfeeding basket. Mama to be will sure be happy she has the must have items!

Were you invited to a baby shower? Get mama a gift she will actually need! Click here. The Best Gift You Can Buy for a New Mom #babyshowergifts #breastfeedingbasket #babyshowerideas #breastfeeding #breastfeedingessentials #breastfeedingtips #breastfeedingforbeginners #babyshowergift

Tricia Brockway

Wednesday 1st of May 2019

Thanks for sharing such helpful tips for breastfeeding. This is so helpful to mamas that are in need of tips and different products to try out!

Laurin Ruprecht

Wednesday 10th of July 2019

Thank you, Tricia.

Sarah bockstahler

Tuesday 30th of April 2019

Yes I loved the haaka! I never had the kiindie system but that looks legit!

Laurin Ruprecht

Wednesday 10th of July 2019

It really is! Its an all-in-one inclusive!

Ya

Tuesday 30th of April 2019

As a breastfeeding mom, I approve this blog! lol Especially the haaka

Laurin Ruprecht

Wednesday 10th of July 2019

Thank you and yes, the haaka is essential!

Tiffany

Thursday 31st of January 2019

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing ♥️ ♥️ By any chance you are interested on doing collaborations, you can check out the collaborations portal of Phlanx.com and connect with amazing brands!

Xoxo,Tiffany

Laurin Ruprecht

Friday 1st of February 2019

Hi Tiffany. I will definitely check out the collaborations portal. Thanks for commenting =)

Lorena

amanda ripsam

Monday 28th of January 2019

I love that you share about breastfeeding when my daughter who has a genetic disorder was a new born I struggled so much. I felt like I had failed her I would have loved reading about helpful tips and tricks for those with a soft palate who couldn't latch.

Laurin Ruprecht

Monday 28th of January 2019

Thank you for commenting, Amanda. I am sorry to hear you struggled with breastfeeding. It's the worst when you want to provide the best for your babies and it's not possible. I am glad that I can help people like you and me who struggle with breastfeeding =)