By Anna Cave-Bigley
Before I had my first son, I imagined breastfeeding would be beautiful, natural, instinctive. I had seen the serene images—mothers gazing down at their babies, bathed in golden light, completely at ease.
Then reality hit. Engorgement. Leaking through shirts. Sleepless nights spent massaging clogged ducts. Waking up drenched in night sweats. I wasn’t prepared for how physically demanding breastfeeding would be—not just the feeding itself, but the way it affected my entire body.
Breastfeeding isn’t just about milk production—it’s a hormonal, metabolic, and emotional rollercoaster. And yet, so many gift guides focus on the soft, cozy side of nursing, completely ignoring the realities that can make it stressful, painful, and exhausting.
So if you’re looking for a gift that actually supports a breastfeeding mum, forget the generic muslin cloths and lactation cookies—here’s what truly helps.
1. The Oversupply Struggle: When Your Body Makes Too Much Milk
Before breastfeeding, I worried about not making enough milk—but no one warned me that oversupply can be just as challenging.
The relentless engorgement. The forceful letdown that made my baby splutter and gasp. The constant leaking—through bras, through shirts, soaking the bed at night. I felt like I was constantly on the verge of bursting.
What actually helped? Gentle milk regulation and soothing relief.
A warm compress before feeding helped soften engorged breasts so my baby could latch more easily. A cold compress after feeds helped calm inflammation and reduce swelling.
And the biggest game-changer? Drinking a lactation tea that didn’t just increase supply, but actually balanced it.
I started drinking our Breastfeeding Herbata daily—not to boost production, but to support milk flow in a way that felt manageable.
Made with moringa, fennel, oat straw, and cinnamon, it didn’t push my supply into overdrive. Instead, it helped keep things steady and prevent painful engorgement.
If you’re gifting a breastfeeding mum dealing with oversupply, consider:
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A set of warm/cold therapy packs like Lansinoh’s TheraPearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy to relieve discomfort.
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A comfortable, moisture-wicking bra like the Bravado Designs Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra to handle leaks without discomfort.
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The Breastfeeding Herbata to support milk flow in a balanced, nourishing way.
2. Clogged Ducts & Mastitis: The Nightmare No One Talks About
One night, I woke up with a hard, painful lump in my breast. It felt like a knot deep under the skin, hot and tender to the touch. I had a clogged duct, and if I didn’t clear it fast, I knew it could turn into full-blown mastitis.
Clogged ducts happen when milk isn’t draining properly, and they’re incredibly painful—like bruises deep inside your breast. If they’re not cleared, they can lead to mastitis, a feverish infection that makes you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck.
I learned that heat, massage, and hydration were key.
A warm compress before feeding helped soften the blockage, and I used a vibrating lactation massager to break it up. But the most important thing? Hydration.
When you’re dehydrated, milk thickens, making clogs more likely. Drinking electrolytes and mineral-rich teas can make all the difference.
That’s why I always recommend The Breastfeeding Herbata—it doesn’t just hydrate, it replenishes lost minerals to keep milk flowing smoothly.
For mums struggling with clogged ducts, these gifts can be lifesavers:
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A lactation massager like the LaVie Warming Lactation Massager to help break up blockages.
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A high-quality heat pack like the Blästa Henriët Wheat Bag for instant relief.
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A steady supply of electrolyte-rich tea like The Breastfeeding Herbata to keep milk flowing freely.
3. Night Sweats, Skin Sensitivity & The Postpartum Hormonal Rollercoaster
No one told me that postpartum night sweats would be so intense. I’d wake up completely drenched, shivering, changing my clothes at 2 AM. My skin felt flushed, irritated, and strangely reactive.
Breastfeeding hormones—especially prolactin and oxytocin—can cause temperature fluctuations, increased oil production, and sudden sensitivity to products you used to love.
What helped? Cooling skincare, breathable fabrics, and skincare designed for hormone-sensitive skin.
I started keeping The Revive Face Mist on my nightstand, spritzing it on my face after waking up in a pool of sweat. The aloe vera and adaptogens helped calm my skin instantly.
For breastfeeding mums dealing with postpartum skin changes, here’s what actually helps:
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A cooling face mist like TheRevive Face Mist to soothe hormonal flushes.
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A lightweight, breathable sleep set like Piglet in Bed’s Linen Pyjama Set to keep cool during night sweats.
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A hydrating yet non-greasy moisturiser like The Prebiotic Moisturiser to restore balance.
Because The Best Gifts Solve the Real Struggles
Forget the picture-perfect breastfeeding experience—the best gifts are the ones that actually make life easier.
A warm drink that replenishes, a cooling mist that soothes, a tool that eases pain—these aren’t just gifts, they’re lifelines. And when a breastfeeding mum feels supported, she can keep showing up, feeling just a little more like herself every day.
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.
