Practical Gifts for Nursing Mothers
If you know someone who has just become a new mother, whether for the first time or after already having one or more children, you may want to give her a gift along with anything you have bought for the baby. Giving something practical is a thoughtful way of showing you care. If the mother is nursing the baby herself, there are several items on the market that can be a practical aid and which will make great gifts.
Any nursing mother will tell you that rarely do feeds go completely without a hitch of some kind. One of the best ways to encourage a baby to feed is to ensure the woman is comfortable. A large, v-shaped pillow is a very useful and practical item to heave while nursing a baby. The pillow can be placed either under the child, or around the mother, to provide extra support.
These v-shaped pillows can be found in many furnishing stores, as well as from baby equipment retailers. Alternatively you could make a v-shaped pillow yourself to give as a more personal gift. Cut 2 slightly v-shaped pieces of fabric approximately 60 cm (24 inches) wide, and 2 end circle shapes of fabric approximately 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter.
Sew the v-shaped pieces together down the 2 longest sides to form a tube. Sew one circular piece of fabric to one end of the tube, gathering the tube fabric gently and evenly around the circle to fit. Sew the other circle of fabric to the other end of the tube in the same way, but leave a small gap to turn the pillow in the right way. Stuff the pillow firmly with synthetic wadding and sew up the gap.
Another practical gift for a nursing mother is a pamper gift basket. These are fun to put together and mean you can tailor the items in the basket to the new mother's specific preferences and needs. Take a wicker basket and line it with some shredded tissue paper in a bright colour. Then select some items that the new mother will find useful.
Some herbal teabags containing chamomile or fennel (which may help the baby's digestion) are a good idea, along with some boiled sweets or peppermints. A small pack of breast shields are extremely useful for nursing mothers to help catch any leaks. Sore or cracked nipples can be treated with modified lanolin ointment or cream which will not harm the baby. If you talk to a pharmacist they should be able to recommend a good brand.
Another item to include in the gift basket is an audio-book CD. This can help the mother relax while she feeds her baby, by giving her something to listen to, without having to hold a book. Choose a novel by an author the new mother likes and you can't go wrong.
Finish the gift basket with some fragrance-free wet wipes or sift tissues. Cover the top of the basket with some clear or tinted cellophane and add a ribbon bow.
These two very practical gifts are sure to be welcome by any nursing mother, whether for a birthday or Christmas present, or just a gift to mark the new baby's arrival.
