First baby "oh cr*p!" box

[NattyBatty]

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.

I'm not getting her genital wash. I was never getting her genital wash. I'm getting her gental wash. Gental as in the opposite of rough/harsh. As in perfume and colour free soap with no harsh chemicals in.

Not fanny wash

I also think it's a lovely idea.

I'm have absolutely no idea how anyone could be offended by this, which is clearly coming from the most lovely place.

You offended by emergency formula bottles are freaks. And yes, I did breast feed.

You are a lovely sister, op.

*GENTLE

Trooperslane ODFOD - it's a contentious issue for some people, and all too easy to offend someone who is struggling and under pressure. Throwing 'freaks' into the mix is hardly helpful.

Ok. Now the gental/genital issue has been cleared up again, I'll move on.

As others have said, I know my sister and what would offend her. She won't be offended by the inclusion of an emergency bottle of formula, and know I will help her with breastfeeding as much as I can from a distance. I will definitely include the letter to the baby, suggested above, in addition to the emergency formula.

I'm still getting her the bits others have termed as "nice and positive", this box is in addition to that. I understand that you personally might not appreciate it, but I'm not getting it for you so there is no need to fret about getting it yourself.

The purpose of this thread was to see if I'd missed anything, and I'm very grateful to the people who have given suggestions.

Yes, her DH can nip out for some things, but if all the shops are shut he's going to struggle. 24hr shops aren't actually 24hrs (hence the 3am on a Sunday example I gave), or may be out of stock, and if that happens they can turn to the box I'm prepping.

I'm pregnant with my first baby and would really appreciate someone who has already been through it, giving me a box of essentials like this. It's all a bit of a minefield figuring it out on your own, and even though I plan to breast feed, of course I want some emergency formula in the house!

Anusol and gentle stool softener!

I used and would have appreciated:

Nappies
cotton wool pleats
lavender oil
Calendula cream
Anusol
Antibacterial hand gel
Muslins
maternity pads
Washable breast pads
Sanitary towels
hand cream

I didn't use:
Nappy cream
Infacol
Formula
Dummies
Bibs
mittens
lanolin cream
Nipple shields
Nasal spray

You have months before needing:
Teething sachets
Calpol

Very thoughtful and kind.

I would have not used a third of that list. Don't give packets of formula and bottles if she wants to breastfeed. Even if she doesn't end up able to and needs to buy them herself, why would you go round presuming she'll fail? It's patronising.

I can't believer the number of people who feel the need to tell the OP how much they wouldn't like something like this! Unless you're the OP's sister I can't see why it's in anyway relevant what you would like or how patronised you feel or how angry you'd be or how you offended you are by formula. Good Grief!

I understand why you want to do something like this for your sister. But personally I would prefer to choose certain things myself. I chose to exclusively formula feed, and wanted to choose the formula and things like that myself. It's obviously different for your sister because she wants to breastfeed.
And some of the other things you mention I would want to buy myself, and others are not needed straight away. Also not every baby needs all what you have mentioned.
Could you not get things like clothes or a newborn rattle instead? Things more likely to be needed straight away.
Or ask your sister if there's other essentials she needs for the baby. For example my mum knew loads of family would buy clothes, so she gave us the money to get the baby bath and changing box instead. Helpful and nothing anyone else thought of.
I know you say you know your sister won't be offended which is good. But I wouldn't have wanted all that from someone else. Sorry

Also, the way you said something tells me you may be against formula feeding perhaps? (There's nothing wrong with it. My lo is 16 months and is fine. Myself and my siblings were all exclusively formula fed as well and all healthy and well).

Still laughing at the genital confusion! It's spelled gentle not gental

I would add decaf teabags & some long life milk. I always run out of teabags & I go through LOADS as I never get a hot brew & always have to make another (I don't like the taste after it's been in the microwave - I know that's an option) and LL milk is better than no milk if you're desperate for a brew!

Also, I think this is a really lovely thoughtful idea. I'd be really chuffed if someone had thought to make this for me.
I do also LOVE luxury items that I'd never justify the cost of... beautiful blankets, swaddles etc.
Hope your sister has a smooth delivery

I think it's a lovely idea and I'm sure your sister will be very grateful. If my sister got me that, I'd be very chuffed.

However just remember that some things have use by dates. Especially the medicine and milk. And the milk is a little tricky as she probably won't use it. Why not swap out those for snacks for mum or things for the parents as most people forget about mum and dad when they have a baby. Maybe some lovely burts bees smellies for mum.

Yy to snacks for mum, cosy socks and comfy knickers. No way did I want to tell DH what size to buy!

How about some personal messages, jokes, quotes, shared memories etc? Cath Kidson has some very beautiful notelets you can buy, tiny credit card sized with envelopes. Perfect for lovely heartfelt messages that can be opened when sis needs her spirits lifted, wants a laugh or is bf and tired as fuck. Go overboard if you want to, being an auntie is really cool.

Natty batty can't believe there is any negativity on this thread, you sound like an incredible sister and will be an amazing auntie! There's nothing patronising about it, it is just a lovely thing to do! I bet your sister appreciates all the support so much. What an exciting time for you all.

Nursing tea, meant to be good for milk supply. My friend gave me loads of stuff that she had left over and I really appreciated it :) I think it's a lovely idea.

I'm quite at some of the negative responses here. I think it's a lovely idea OP, really thoughtful and kind. I'd have loved something like that and so would DP who did several midnight dashes to Tesco

The only thing I would add is some chocolate/munchies. And a bottle of water.

Lovely idea. Lovely, thoughtful sister.

Soon to be first time mum (God that feels amazing write that out!) with nothing useful to add but just wanted to say that that's a really lovely idea and you sound like a wonderful sister.

oh and I found those breakfast biscuits really handy when I was doing night feeds and woke up absolutely starving! I remember texting my DH and asking him to dash to the shops and bring home a dummy as my boobs needed a break, if she doesn't use it great, but handy to have if she wants one.

oh and I found those breakfast biscuits really handy when I was doing night feeds and woke up absolutely starving! I remember texting my DH and asking him to dash to the shops and bring home a dummy as my boobs needed a break, if she doesn't use it great, but handy to have if she wants one.

I think it's fine- you know your audience. My friend did a breastfeeding box for me with nipple shields, breast shells, disposable and reusable breast pads and a couple of those bottles of milk. She asked before if it was an ok gift and it was great. We did use the milk (and everything else) as my nipples got torn to shreds but it helped me continue breastfeeding and we finally got my daughter off the boob a couple of months ago aged 2!

It's a lovely idea, but I would concentrate on the nice things for her- everybody else will be concentrating on the baby!

Also, I think I would leave out any medication: it goes out of date quite quickly and there is no knowing that her baby will ever need colic drops or vapour rub. Same with the nipple shields. With a new child her house will soon feel full of clutter anyway, so it's probably a good idea to concentrate on things you know can be used under any circumstances.

But otherwise a great idea.