Ready to treat the new mom in your life? This post contains a comprehensive list of gifts for breastfeeding moms.
If you’re looking to treat a mom friend or family member who has just had a baby and is breastfeeding, you’ve come to the right place! This ultimate guide outlines several breastfeeding essentials at varying price points so you can give a thoughtful gift to a mama in need.
Before I had my first baby, I literally had no idea just how many products and tools there were for breastfeeding. You’d think all you need is your breast (and you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong because moms have been nursing their children since the beginning of time), but there are so many awesome things that make the journey so much better.
I nursed my first child for 17 months and am in the middle of my breastfeeding journey with my second, and I can honestly say that I have used every item on this list in some capacity.
How you gift may end up depending on how close you feel to the recipient and your budget.
If you are looking for more gift ideas, check out What to Put In A Postpartum Care Package.
This post may contain affiliate links which means we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase using one of these links.
15+ Best Gifts for Breastfeeding Moms
This gift guide is jam-packed with practical gifts for the nursing mom. From nursing props that make each session more comfortable, to tools that make milk collection a breeze, you are sure to find something for your breastfeeding mama. Alternatively, you can browse her baby registry to see if there are any items that she specifically chose for herself. Odds are there is something nursing-related!
1. Breastfeeding Pillow
A nursing pillow is literally the perfect gift for new parents. They give so much support and help your arms and back (and sanity) during feedings by lifting baby into a more ergonomic position no matter what style you prefer. You can even use it when bottle feeding.
The Boppy pillow is my go-to and always will be so long as I keep having breastfed children.
2. Water-resistant Pillow Cover
If you’re going to use a breastfeeding pillow, then you most definitely need water-resistant, machine washable pillow cover. Babies are sloppy eaters! One second they’re suckling away and the next they are letting an entire serving of milk dribble out of their mouth and directly onto the pillow. Or, they’re spitting up. Or, they’re pooping. And baby poops are not solid! Trust me, get a couple of pillow covers.
3. Comfy Nursing Bra
Gone are the days of regular bras – this breastfeeding mom will be living in nursing bras until further notice. They’re just easier.
There are all sorts of brands out there and I have tried many, but my no-contest favorite is Kindred Bravely. They’re by far the most comfortable brand I have found, especially the sports bra cut. I love their mix-and-match nursing and pumping bra bundle – I’ve purchased it twice, getting a pumping friendly bra as well as comfy nursing bras that I can wear casually or sleep in. And honestly never went back to regular bras between kids.
4. Breast Pump or Milk Catchers
Pumping moms honestly can never have too many pump parts, especially if they are exclusively bottle feeding pumped milk.
- Haakaa Manual Breast Pump: In the early breastfeeding days, this pump helps with relieving engorged breasts without much work. You can even suction it to the breast you aren’t feed from to collect any milk that may have otherwise leaked through your bra.
- Haakaa Ladybug Milk Collector: This can be put inside a bra to collect letdown throughout the day or while baby is feeding on the opposite side.
- Manual Breast Pump/Hand Pump: It took my second child to learn just how useful a hand pump can be. These are handy for on-the-go pumping (think car rides and visits to family and friends’ houses) and can easily be kept in a purse. I sometimes find that a quick hand pumping session is faster and less cumbersome than hooking up to my electric pump.
- Electric Pump: If mama still needs to get her primary electric pump, this could be a great gift as they are not always affordable if your insurance doesn’t cover it.
5. Nipple Cream
Sore nipples are unfortunately an inevitable part of breastfeeding. It isn’t forever, but it does take some getting used to. It’s like getting callouses from lifting weights. Once your nipples are used to it, the latch isn’t as big of a deal (until teeth start coming in, anyway).
Nipple cream can drastically help soothe this discomfort. It can be applied after a nursing session for near instant relief from feeling raw and sore. My favorite has always been Earth Mama Nipple Butter because it is made without petroleum or lanolin, making it safe to use before nursing baby too.
6. Breast Massager
Nursing moms can enhance milk flow and alleviate any potential breastfeeding challenges with a breast massager. These devices are designed to provide gentle massage to the breast tissue, increasing blood flow and stimulating the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for milk ejection. Incorporating a breast massager can encourage a more efficient letdown reflex, making it easier for a baby to latch and feed.
Additionally, the massaging action helps prevent engorgement and clogged milk ducts, reducing the risk of discomfort and potential issues like mastitis. I finally got myself this breast massager when I had very uncomfortable clogged ducts and a touch of mastitis that just wouldn’t go away. A few sessions using the warming and vibrating features provided gradual relief for a very painful situation.
7. Nursing Cover
Nursing covers offer a discreet and comfortable solution for mamas to nurse their infants in public spaces or with groups that they’d rather not nurse openly around. They provide a sense of privacy, allowing mothers to breastfeed without feeling exposed. They also serve as a shield against external distractions, creating a calm and focused environment for the baby during feeding. Which is very useful if you have a squirmy baby who is easily distracted by everything going on around them.
I really liked using these stretchy nursing covers which double as car seat canopies, and for something a little more wearable, this 7-in-1 nursing cover that can be worn even when you aren’t feeding.
8. Nursing Pads
New mothers often need some protection when their breast milk is coming in. Sometimes, our flow can be overwhelming which can cause leaks. This is because it can take a little while for our bodies to regulate and produce the right amount of milk for our babies. Nursing pads are one gift idea that any new mom will need at some point in their breastfeeding journey, whether they like it or not!
Alternatively, you can gift reusable nursing pads like these ones, which I used while nursing both of my babies.
9. Diaper Bag
A practical diaper bag is always needed, whether or not the gift is for a nursing mama. However, they’re especially useful for someone who is nursing because you sometimes need to carry pumping supplies or nursing covers, in addition to all of the other stuff that comes with a baby.
10. Nursing-Friendly Clothing
When baby is ready to eat, mama’s got to whip it out. It doesn’t matter where you are or what they are doing, they don’t discriminate! When it’s milk time, it’s milk time.. and usually without much warning. That’s why nursing-friendly clothing is literally always helpful, so babies can be fed on a whim without having to take clothes off or wrestle a boob out.
In the summer, I lived in these nursing items:
- Loose-fitting tank tops
- T-shirts
- Snug tank tops (also good as undershirts)
11. Coffee and/or Tea
If they are a lover of caffeine, a bag of their favorite coffee or tea would be extremely helpful. The lack of sleep during postpartum and breastfeeding is REAL. So I can almost guarantee you that any mom would welcome some caffeine with open arms.
12. Lactation Cookies
Lactation cookies are a great way to help a new mama naturally boost her milk supply (and the great news is you don’t have to make them).
These cookies typically contain ingredients known for their lactogenic properties, such as oats, flaxseeds, and brewer’s yeast. Oats are rich in iron, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy for lactating mothers. Flaxseeds are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, promoting overall health and supporting milk production. Brewer’s yeast is believed to stimulate the hormone prolactin, which is essential for milk production.
I regularly chowed on these lactation cookies and saw a definite increase in my supply.
13. Water Bottle
Nursing makes you SO thirsty, ALL the time. So much so that it sometimes feels like you’ll never feel fully hydrated and satisfied. A nice water bottle is one of the simplest yet best gift ideas for a breastfeeding mother because it will always come in handy.
14. Night Light
A dimmable night lamp or small night light is a must when you’re breastfeeding, especially in the first couple of months when baby is waking up to eat at all hours of the night. This way, you don’t have to turn on super bright lights and wake the baby more than necessary, allowing them to drift away as soon as they are done eating. This is particularly useful when baby is sharing a room with both parents, so the one who isn’t taking the feed shift can continue to sleep.
15. Home-cooked Meals
Gifting home-cooked meals is a thoughtful and practical way to support nursing moms during the super demanding postpartum period. These meals provide a nourishing and convenient solution, allowing mothers to focus on the essential task of caring for their newborns without the added stress of meal preparation.
Additionally, homemade dishes can be tailored to meet the specific nutritional needs of breastfeeding moms, incorporating ingredients known for supporting lactation and postpartum recovery. Whether it’s a hearty stew rich in protein or a batch of lactation-friendly cookies, gifting home-cooked meals is a meaningful gesture that goes a long way in easing the daily challenges of a nursing mom.
16. Gift Cards
Considering all the time that mama has now lost due to being strapped to the couch with her breast out, a gift card to a restaurant or one of her favorite self-care shops will most definitely be well-received. You could also put one in a breastfeeding gift basket.
What did you find invaluable as a breastfeeding mama? Comment below!
