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Original poster

First baby "oh cr*p!" box

164 replies

NattyBatty · 13/01/2017 21:35

My sister is pregnant with her first and due in the summer, and I'm super excited to be an auntie so I'm going totally overboard with gifts.

I'm putting together a "post birth" set, which includes unscented/gental wash stuff, chocolate, meals in a mug etc. I'm doing a nappy cake with stuff for the baby like bibs and muslins and bottles etc, but I also want to do a panic box which I've called the "Oh Cr*p!" box.

The idea behind the Oh Cr*p! box is that if she gets caught out at 3am when all the shops are shut she can check the box and see if there is something which can tide her over until the morning.

So far I have:
Calpol
Kids vapour rub
Bepanthen
Lanolin cream
Saline nasal spray
Emergency nappies
Antibacterial hand gel
Disposable bed mats (in case of multiple sick ups/nappy leaks in the Moses basket/to wipe up projectile vomit on the floor etc)
Baby wipes
Teething gel
Teetha teething granules
Baby wipes
2-3 premixed formula (in case the baby has trouble latching and she needs to give the baby something)
Muslins
Colic drops
Nipple shields

Can anyone think of anything I've missed? She lives 200 miles away so I want her to have all her bases covered seeing as I can't be there to give day to day support.

OP posts:
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steppemum · 13/01/2017 23:21

I'm afraid I find it all a bit over the top.
Most of the stuff on your list I wouldn't have used, and in fact we didn't have much storage space and I would have felt drowned under all that stuff.

each to their own, adn I am sure your know your sister well, but you might need to back off.

Strokethefurrywall · 13/01/2017 23:27

I think you're an incredibly thoughtful sister and I would have loved that box!
Yep, even the formula even though I breastfed because not all new mothers are offended by the sight of the stuff if they plan to breastfeed!
Much of the stuff I would have used as they get older, calpol, any size nappy etc.
Just because the OP is putting it in an emergency box for the newborn doesn't mean it's going to have to be used immediately!

Chuck in some chocolate and a bottle of wine and you're good to go OP!

My sister wouldn't have been offended if I gave her any of that stuff, nor would I have been if she'd given it to me.

You sound lovely and excited!

Glitteryunicorn · 13/01/2017 23:29

My best gift off a friend was chocolate just get chocolate, the baby gets loads of stuff you have your lady area torn to shreds and get nothing.

Really nice chocolate at 3am is essential

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Sunbeam18 · 14/01/2017 00:10

The best present is the world is to go and take the baby off her hands regularly to give her some time to herself. That and cleaning her house for her. Everything else she can get herself easily.

HerBluebiro · 14/01/2017 08:29

She lives 200 miles away. There is a limit to practicalities.

I think it is a lovely present. My best friend bought us similar. Wrt formula, I think a couple of bottles of pre made formula (plus perhaps a medela.cup for cup feeding babies) is a useful thing. I wish it had been in our emergency box. When I had a crispy dehydrated baby because my milk didn't come in on day 6 and 3 am on a Sunday morning I was giving sips of boiled water scared I was going to cause hyponatraemia and death..... yeah at that point some ready made formula would have been life and sanity saving. No where was open. The 6 hours until shops opened were the longest in my life. And a couple of bottles is hardly wasteful if not needed. Different to a whole tub of powdered formula.

Bluebasil brownies are tasty snacks to send over on day 7 or 8 too. Breakfast bars and drinks for mum are good.

Lanolin nipple cream (dd was eventually fed half milk half Lanolin iI'm sure)

I think what we have established on here is some people will take offence to even generous gestures. You know your sister. You know if it will upset her.

Original poster
NattyBatty · 14/01/2017 09:01

Wow, I was not expecting so many responses over night!

Ok, I've added the suggestions to my shopping list, so thank you for those.

Just to clarify, the Oh Cr*p box is for the things that you would ring your sibling to get in a pinch but because I live so far away I can't get to her to help. She can't call me at 3am and cry that she needs calpol in the hopes that I have some, because it would take me 4 hours to get to her. This way if she calls me in a panic because my niece/nephew (niecew?) won't stop screaming I can say "there is xxxxxxx in the oh crap box which might help"

My sister is planning on bf but she knows about the trouble I had with my ds. Like someone else here, he lost a lot of weight and we ended up hospitalised and having formula top-ups for a couple of days because of it. She won't be offended by a couple of emergency portions of formula because she knows fed is best, breast is second best, and formula is a choice which no one should feel ashamed of.

I'm also doing a kit for her and her DH which includes lots of snacks, some chocolate, some nice tea etc, so they will be taken care of. Luxury bath bits wouldn't work in this case because firstly they tend to irritate damaged skin, and secondly she only has a shower so it's not like she can soak in warm water.

They have tonnes of wine because her DH gets given them at work for various achievements but they only drink on special occasions, so if it came down to it they would be able to drink themselves into a coma without me adding to their collection Grin (not that they would)

The big ticket items like cot, travel system, high chair etc are all being taken care of by grandparents (there are lots of them when you include our stepparents) and she is getting loads of clothes from other relatives who's children have outgrown them.

OP posts:
neonrainbow · 14/01/2017 09:08

I think it's a lovely idea. Id rather have that then a baby outfit. Id be pissed off if someone wasted their money on hand cream and chocolate for me when they could have got something practical.

Buttwing · 14/01/2017 09:14

I think it's a lovely idea, I would have liked it for my first baby as I was a bit manic and thought if it had a picture of a baby on I needed it,
I would also do a little box for her some things she loves favourite sweets or chocolate and some nice handcream? I was also a bit crazy about handwashing and ended up with really dry hands.

Buttwing · 14/01/2017 09:15

Ha ha just read neons post re handcream!! Goes to show we are all different and you probably know your sister best!!

WellieWanger · 14/01/2017 09:18

My sister did similar for me and I found it very thoughtful and hope someone does the same this time round! From this thread, some people clearly would be tetchy about this but I am baffled as to why. You know your sister. Lovely idea.
One thing my sister put in ours was a good quality childrens thermometer. Great as I hadn't thought to get one and 4yrs later it's still invaluable.

kippersandcurtains · 14/01/2017 09:20

I would print out the 'letter to my daughter at six weeks old' written by the lady who writes the 'nurshable' blog. It has very recently provided me with a great deal of sanity saving support and perspective. Giving a new mum formula when they want to b/feed isn't your job - and might suggest it'll be necessary at some point which is a bit pessimistic. The growth spurts when baby feeds continuously can make you doubt your supply & capability - encouragement and support is needed then, not a bottle.
Also info on 4th trimester which again will remove some anxiety if (when) baby prefers to sleep in parent/won't be put down etc.
Personally I don't like the negative connotation of a 'panic box' and would rather receive the lovely positive gifts you initially mention, but you know your sister and I don't mean that to be critical, just honest. My dc3 is six weeks hence I write this from amidst the newborn tiredness etc.

reallyanotherone · 14/01/2017 09:23

God i'd have hated that.

Does she not have a partner who can pick emergency stuff up?

honestly, if i'd have had formula in the house i wouldn't have breastfed, i'd have given in. I am so glad i didn't. We had lots of 24 hr asda etc though so dh could have nipped out.

MrsGB2015 · 14/01/2017 09:35

That's a great idea, so thoughtful!! I would have loved that.

Yankeedoodledickhead · 14/01/2017 09:46

I like the idea op. I'd have been very grateful if there had been anyone who had thought of me in this way. I'm an only child with very little family support and think you sound like a wonderful, caring sister.

My only suggestions would be thermos cups (if they don't have them) to keep hot drinks hot. And possibly a sling, which is an expensive gift but a very nice one for babies who're colicky and restless. It's nice to be hands free but still have the baby on you if that makes sense.

helterskelter99 · 14/01/2017 10:48

I did similar for my sister she loved it I also had in there
Thermometer
Sun cream, first sign of sun you never have any!
A teething toy
And a small Pram toy

Now I would add a large muslin

comeagainforbigfudge · 14/01/2017 11:20

fed is best I love that!

I reckon you have a great box going there.

Think it's all covered, so nothing to add but maybe some mini antibacterial hand gels for out and about?

BikeRunSki · 14/01/2017 13:19

1 or 2 birth to potty sized cloth nappies, for if when she runs out.

mimiholls · 14/01/2017 13:30

I think it's a great idea and you sound like a lovely sister.

JaxingJump · 14/01/2017 13:33

I think it's a lovely idea.

My face physically screws up at the 'unscented genital wash'. Please please leave that out. It's both not needed and a bit gross as a gift.

GinIsIn · 14/01/2017 13:41

I'm 36 weeks pg at the moment. It's a lovely idea but all that adds up to a lot of money so to be honest I think I'd rather my sister just gave me vouchers for the equivalent sum to get things I really wanted or needed - the more stuff you include, the more likely you are making it that there's stuff that will go to waste.

Second the part about not including formula if you do go ahead - it's different buying an emergency supply yourself just in case, from anyone else it's like their waiting for you to fail at BF.

Also, think you migh mean GENTLE wash - very important distinction! Grin

In summary, it's a lovely thing to do, but may not be what she wants or be that useful - why don't you discuss the idea with her?

GinIsIn · 14/01/2017 13:42

They're. Like they're waiting for you to fail. Stupid phone!!

MyGastIsFlabbered · 14/01/2017 13:59

I see including formula as saying it's absolutely fine to FF, there's nothing wrong with it, rather than saying you're bound to fail. But I'm still upset over my failure to BF either if my children and tend to get a bit sensitive around this subject.

My youngest is 4 so it's a while ago but you used to be able to get boxes that included bottles of pre-made formula and disposable teats that just screwed straight onto the bottle...saved my sanity on more than one occasion.

Ilikesweetpeas · 14/01/2017 14:07

It's a great idea, I'd have loved this and think that everything you're planning on putting in it is useful. I'd add a dummy, I was adamant I wasn't using them but a friend had done a similar box for me and I was grateful for the dummy at about 3am one morning!!

Northend77 · 14/01/2017 14:08

This is a very marmite thread - either people are loving it or hating it however as pp's have said, you know your sister and it sounds like something she would appreciate. I would have loved it personally!
I think you have pretty much everything covered however I would also second/third/fourth (many have suggested it) the thermometer suggestion. We have one of those digital ones which goes in the ear and it has been used lots and ours are now 2 years old! It's one of our best investments

Northend77 · 14/01/2017 14:09

I also don't see any of it as being negative and suggesting that she's going to fail in trying BF or not using dummies, etc etc. Rather I see it as a "here you go, you may not use everything and nothing is forced upon you but it's here if you ever feel you might need it or want to try it"