By Anna Cave-Bigley
Before I had my first son, I knew breastfeeding would be demanding—but I thought the hardest part would be the physical exhaustion. The cracked nipples, the late-night feeds, the way my body would feel constantly in use.
I didn’t expect the mental weight of it all.
The constant tracking of feeds—which side did he feed from last? How long? Was it enough? The worrying about supply, the pressure to get it right, the guilt when it felt like I wasn’t. The opinions from everyone—well-meaning relatives, strangers, even myself—telling me how I should be doing it.
And the loneliness. Sitting in the dark, feeding at 2 AM while the rest of the world slept, feeling like I was the only one awake, the only one carrying this responsibility.
This is the part of breastfeeding that no one really talks about: the emotional labour, the invisible load. It’s not just about feeding a baby—it’s about constantly thinking, planning, worrying, remembering.
And that’s why, when I think about the best gifts for breastfeeding mums, I don’t just think about things that make feeding easier—I think about things that take something off her plate.
Because the best gifts don’t just say “You’re doing a great job.” They say “I see you. Let me carry some of this with you.”
1. The Gift of Nourishment (Without the Mental Load)
I can’t count the number of times I sat down to feed and realised I hadn’t eaten all day. Breastfeeding made me ravenous, but somehow, between the endless cycles of feeding, burping, rocking, and trying to get through the day, I’d forget to nourish myself.
And when I did eat? It was usually something quick, something easy—toast, biscuits, whatever I could grab with one hand. Nothing that actually filled me up or replenished what breastfeeding was taking out of me.
What helped? Having nourishing, ready-to-eat food available.
One of the best gifts you can give a breastfeeding mum is food that requires zero thought or effort.
When a friend sent me a delivery from Mum’s Back—a postpartum gift box filled with protein-rich snacks, lactation-friendly treats, and drinks made for new mums—I nearly cried. It wasn’t just food—it was one less thing to think about.
Other thoughtful food gifts that help lighten the mental load:
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ByRuby Ready Meals – Delicious, nutrient-rich frozen meals designed for new mums.
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The SABI Mama Infusions Set – A selection of hormone-supportive teas to keep energy steady and milk supply strong.
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A snack basket filled with easy, one-handed options—nuts, protein bars, dried fruit, dark chocolate.
If you want to support a breastfeeding mum, feed her first.
2. A Hydration Routine That Doesn’t Require Thinking
Breastfeeding makes you thirsty like nothing else. The moment your baby latches, you can feel your body pulling fluid to make milk—it’s an instant, almost desperate kind of thirst.
The problem? Mums forget to drink.
I started keeping The SABI Breastfeeding Herbata pre-brewed in a big bottle next to my feeding chair—because if I had to get up to make a drink, I’d forget.
And honestly? It made a huge difference. Unlike plain water, it replenished minerals, iron, and electrolytes, keeping my body properly fuelled instead of just temporarily quenching thirst.
If you’re gifting a breastfeeding mum, consider putting together a “hydration station” with:
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A high-quality insulated bottle like the Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Bottle, so she always has a drink at the right temperature.
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The SABI Breastfeeding Herbata to provide real nourishment while hydrating.
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Electrolyte sachets like Hydrant Rapid Hydration for an extra boost on exhausting days.
The easier you make hydration, the better she’ll feel without even thinking about it.
3. The Gift of Mental Space (Because Mums Shouldn’t Have to Remember Everything)
The mental juggling act of breastfeeding is relentless. Tracking which side the baby fed from last. Counting wet nappies to make sure they’re getting enough. Googling at 2 AM, “Why is my baby cluster feeding again?”
It’s constant. And it’s exhausting.
The best gifts are the ones that lighten this mental load—the ones that help a mum feel like she doesn’t have to hold every tiny detail in her head at all times.
For me, that meant using The Huckleberry Baby Tracker App—it took the mental work out of remembering feeds, wake windows, and sleep patterns.
Other thoughtful gifts that help clear space in a breastfeeding mum’s mind:
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A meal subscription (so she doesn’t have to think about food).
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A postpartum doula session (so someone else can help troubleshoot feeding challenges).
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A thoughtful book like Motherwhelmed by Beth Berry—because sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone in this is the most powerful gift of all.
4. The Reminder That She Deserves Care, Too
The invisible load of breastfeeding isn’t just tracking, worrying, and planning—it’s the way a mother’s own needs start to feel secondary to everyone else’s.
For me, one of the hardest things was remembering that I still mattered. That I deserved rest, nourishment, and small moments of joy—even when my days revolved around my baby.
That’s why my favourite gifts weren’t for the baby—they were for me. A skin serum that made me feel alive again. A cup of tea that felt like a moment of pause. A soft robe that reminded me I was allowed to be comfortable, too.
If you want to truly support a breastfeeding mum, give her something that’s just for her.
A bottle of The SABI Active Nutrient Serum to restore her glow. A box of nourishing, one-handed snacks. A moment of care that doesn’t demand anything from her.
Because at the end of the day, the best gifts aren’t just things—they’re a way to say, “I see you. You matter, too.”
HORMONAL & PROUD
Created as a brand to help women navigate the toughest moments in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum — and practically every stage of life –– The SABI is changing the narrative around our hormones from one of taboo, embarrassment, and loneliness to awareness and even, pride. As more than a wellness brand, The SABI offers a carefully-crafted line of products to carry you through your hormonal journey, including rituals, supportive tools, and ancient herbal remedies that have been tested time and time again by women and now come backed by medicine. The SABI is a blend of science and nature conceived by women who have experienced the joys and deep struggles of bringing a child into the world, the pains of a heavy, difficult period, miscarriage, and difficulty conceiving.
We invite you to get to know your body and its cycles better –– to really understand what is going on inside. Learn to use your hormones to your advantage no matter your stage of life, and know that you can support and balance your hormone levels. We are here to help with the information, understanding and natural tools to support your body and the emotional process along with it.
