A Breastfeeding Mother's Baby Shower Registry

By Nicole Kekesi, Virtua Board-Certified Lactation Consultant

Creating a baby shower registry can be both exciting and stressful for a mom-to-be. Today’s parents have seemingly endless options, even for the most basic items. For example, should onesies be short-sleeved, long-sleeved, or sleeveless!? 

The registry grows even longer for women who plan to breastfeed. Pads, pumps, Pampers…oh my! All of those items are helpful, but below are some items that always come in handy, based on my years of experience working with new moms. 

Introducing: Five things a breastfeeding mother really needs. 

1. A firm pillow: Personally, I prefer a great throw pillow over the traditional "Boppy" nursing pillow.  Nursing pillows can be cumbersome and are often too big to fit on a chair and support feeding in a way that’s comfortable for both mom and baby. A versatile throw pillow can be folded, placed under the arm, draped on the lap…and even used for a quick mom nap! 
   
   
2. A large reusable water bottle: The thirst of a nursing mother is like nothing else! She is always looking for water during a feeding session, so provide her with a reusable bottle she can keep with her. 
   
   
3. Snacks, snacks, snacks: You know how I mentioned non-stop thirst? Well, a breastfeeding mother’s hunger is equally fierce. On average, a nursing mother requires an additional 500 calories per day, so non-perishable, portable snacks are a godsend. Some of my favorites include bagged nuts, granola bars, trail mix, and dried fruit.   
   
   
4. A book or movie, or a gift card for entertainment: A new breastfeeding mother spends a lot of time—I mean, a LOT of time—sitting and feeding her baby those first few weeks. As nice as it is to stay “in the moment” and focus fully on the baby, there will be times she needs something more. Movies, music, podcasts, and books can help. 
   
   
5. Information on breastfeeding support: Even before the baby arrives, a gift-card for a lactation consultation or a list of local support groups is a tremendous gift. Every mom has her own experience breastfeeding, but everyone benefits from guidance and support. Trust me—she will thank you.   

Updated March 5, 2018