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.

A friend made me a similar thing for labour. I had an ECS in the end but most of it came in useful.

I'm not going to weigh in to the formula debacle OP - as you've said, you know your sister.

I'd also include a manual breastpump, I remember some very tired mornings spent trying to hand express because I was engorged and my dd was still asleep. I used a £20 medala one that was great.

How about providing her with her an emergency baby pack for hospital? A friend recommended this for me and i was so glad i had one.

Basically.... if things don't go to plan and your baby is born via emergency c-section and you don't get to meet your baby until they have already been cleaned and dressed (which happened to me) your baby will at least be wearing clothes you provide (in the pack) rather than hospital clothes.

My baby was wearing a beautiful babygrow my sister bought me and a nanny-knit hat when I met her. Although I was desperately disappointed with the birth, I was thrilled she was in the things my sister had provided.

How lovely, wish I had a sister like you!

I think it's a great idea. I wish you were my sister as the one if got is an absolute waste of space

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the continued suggestions in my absence (antisocial bugger that I am I quit social media for a while!)

Today we were told the baby is a girl (as much as anyone can be sure with scans) which prompted me out of my seclusion to check this thread.

I'm not going to lie and say the vitriol didn't get to me, but that's beside the point. I've added the suggested items to the list, and mostly finished the other parts of the gift too. The nappy cake with stuff for the baby is just missing the bibs, but the snack pack with nice "first time mummy" and "first time daddy" mugs (with L plates on), fancy tea, cereal bars, chocolate, and meals in mugs is done, as is the wash kit with gentle (not gental ) soaps etc.

I'm going to be an aunty!!!!! happy dance

I would suggest a good insulated, lidded mug, so she might actually have a chance at a warm cup of tea!

I like the idea. I had lots of lovely baby clothes bought for me but to be honest it did cross my mind a few times that I would have preferred a thermometer, some mattress covers, gripe water, antiseptic...

The Milton sterilizing wipes are a good shout. I'd also have liked some fucidin for when my wee one scratched his face and I freaked out that he was going to get an infection. A massive jar of sudocrem would also have been appreciated!

Please don't buy formula.
That will be the mothers decision and it shouldn't be a 3 am decision if she's going to be trying breastfeeding.

I'd remove some items and do a mum's box to be honest ! Chocolate, DVD, magazines, Beth stuff. I was excited to buy
My own baby stuff you will only be doubling up.

Something I saw recently which might be a lovely addition are some Lactation Cookie mixes sold by a lovely lady on Facebook called Mama's Cookies. They are premixed recipes that you just mix and bake. Even with a newborn your sister might get 5 minutes to mix a bowlful of oats and loveliness to make herself some warm cookies that will also help to boost her milk supply. They also make amazing fudge. Just saying.

linky

My friend who became a latch on advisor told me to not have formula in the house if I really wanted to breastfeed, as it is tempting to use it when you are struggling and then it affects your supply. I never had it in the house and managed to bf exclusively which is what I wanted, but there were times in the middle of the night I could have caved. I really wouldn't add formula in there for that reason, I would have put it straight in the bin to be honest. All the stuff listed is very practical and thoughtful but might not get used and they may have already bought alot of it. When my nephew was born I did a massive online tesco shop for my brother and SIL, including nice cheese board & savoury biscuits, pate, fresh fruit, big tin of choc biscuits, decent coffee, box of chocs, bottle of wine and a baby toy. Delivered as a surprise to their address the day after they came back from hospital. It went down a treat, they said it was the best thing that had got from anyone as they hadn't had a minute to think of food. Having had a baby myself a year earlier it was what I would have wanted someone to do for me. If you are local I concur with others that the delivery of a nice homemade casserole would be just as lovely and appreciated.

TheLesser Yes! We bought the thermos mugs from Sainsburys before our daughter was born and they are fantastic. Can actually have a cup of tea and bf at the same time, without it going cold or spilling on newborns head.

Our absolute best baby gift was a Cuddledry towel. You put it round your neck and then lift baby out of the bath so baby is completely covered and you don't get a wet tshirt. They are a brilliant gift.

I think it's a lovely idea. I don't understand how anyone could be offended over something so thoughtful. The only thing I would add is a teether - I was totally unprepared for how early dd started getting teething pain. Matchstick monkey would be my recommendation - found all the others too big for her mouth/for her to manipulate properly.

Silkybear's food idea is lovely! I would have loved that - I went into labour weeks early, so really underprepared, and we lived on takeaways for a week!

I also love the cuddledry towel suggestion, and the closed-top mug - I want to buy both those things for myself

Agree with IrregularCommentary that teething is starting way quicker than I expected too

Some people are so judgemental - regardless of whether they believe if it is a nice gift; you know your sister and believe it to be a nice idea so go with it! I think it is kind; there have been times when we have all been caught out without something (teething baby in the middle of the night and cant find teething gel, no clean bibs after a sick day etc!) and she could add to it herself too. She may not use all of the things; but regardless the idea is a kind one.
I would say infacol in case of a colicy baby, breast pads. Oh and for your sister post birth, I found a herbal remedy called 'Arnica' to promote healing was good for stitches, bruising etc.
It may be more useful to put together a kind of baby 'first aid box' and a treat box for her with a few essentials?
Also I found we were gifted with so many new born clothes that suddenly my baby had outgrown everything at once, so maybe a few vests and sleep-suits in the next size up?
Anyway good luck!