I like baskets. I use baskets. I think baskets really solve a lot of problems. That’s why baskets have been around so long. That’s why every culture has developed some sort of basket out of some sort of material. Baskets are lightweight, strong or delicate, lidded, handled or open. Flat or tall or wide or narrow. But primarily they hold stuff and that is why they are so special.

Not recommended for liquids, in general.

Let’s face it, mess looks way cuter housed in some lovely basket than in a plastic ice cream pails or tupperware. Tupperware and plastic ice cream pails have their place. I’ll not take that argument on. But baskets contain them mess, plastic typically adds to the mess.

Of course in some circumstances, it’s nice to hold things such as toys and dress up clothes in beautiful enamel plant pots. We then, or course, forfeit the lightweight option.

So, one very helpful little basket suggestion I have used over time is a Mama basket. I keep a little handled basket somewhere near where I am nursing a baby. I keep things in it such as a mother who is nursing a baby might need. Phone, water bottle, notepad and pen. Maybe a granola bar.

Sometimes a few child oriented accoutrements are helpful. Princess bandaids. Some teeny weeny books. Kleenexes. A receiving blanket, which by the way can be used as a burp cloth, a blanket, a means of absorbing excess breast milk, or a diaper as the individual circumstances suggest. Near Christmastime, you can even keep a copy of you VISA number. Never underestimate the power of online shopping when the only thing you can do is sit.

But the best thing about a Mama basket is if you have to move around with your nursling, you can just grab the basket and go. Or you can get a toddler to carry it where you need to go. Or you can say to people, “go fetch my Mama basket.” Instead of can you get my water? Can you get me a kleenex and a cloth? Oh and I really need a snack, oops the phone is ringing…quick! Get it! Ooo…I just had an idea for a blog, could you get me a pen and paper, or my purse?