Night feeding box

[MaryPlain59]

I can't seem to find it now but I read somewhere on here about having a small box full of things to have to hand when you are up feeding in the night, I remember as well as nappies and wipes it had energy snacks etc for mum and some other items. I would love to put one together for my daughter so can anybody remember what to put in the box please?

Is she breastfeeding?

If so:

• water
• energy snack eg flapjacks
• tissues
• phone spare battery pack for when feeding all night and your phone battery runs out, so you can mumsnet
• lansinoh cream
• Muslin

If formula feeding, box could contain bottles and the small ready made formula bottles as they are much easier for night.

Depends on taste re snacks but nuts are really good! And in the early days honey cashew nuts were a lifesaver! Might be worth a google but I remember that oats are good for milk supply and almonds. You could get some really nice pay biscuits and fancy almonds.

Thanks so much for replying x She hasn't had the baby yet but is planning to breastfeed I think. These suggestions are so helpful and I am going to love making a box up for her to use.

In the very early days I always kept jelly beans beside the bed. Not exactly healthy but I needed them to keep me awake when I was breastfeeding in the middle if the night. Also, a bottle or cup with a very long straw so you can always reach water.

That's a good idea thanks x

I was a single parent so had a little box like this for the night! I had food (cereal bars, jelly babies, bananas) and drinks. I was always starving in the night!

For me there was also: a change of top in case of spills, breast pads, lanisoh.

For baby: change of clothes (2, but that could just have been my child!) nappies, wipes, cream, nappy sacks, Mullins, baby wipes.

I also always had a phone charger, kindle and towel beside the bed. The towel was because sometimes I would pop it on top of the puke stain rather than change the bedding at 3am..... I know, I know, but it was survival!

Any oat based snacks are great for making milk - I lived on hob nobs. It's really important she drinks a lot too so bottles of water. Good luck!

change of clothes and spare sheet for baby in case nappy soaks through or brings up milk

I'd add spare breast pads and perhaps a pair of bed socks. Lovely idea

My friends put together a survival basket with warm socks, chocolate, something for the bath to help with bruising etc. Although I never used everything, it was so touching.

When I was breastfeeding I made up a jar of cashews, raisins and dark chocolate chips. A handful or 6 was amazing at giving me some energy day or night. I often give jars of it out as new baby gifts.

Ahh these are all fantastic ideas that I will use, thank you all x

Mary I don't know if you're a keen baker but look up the recipe for lactation cookies.

Oh I will, thank you x

I come from a bit of a sad place as breastfeeding didn't work out and caused j lot of upset in the early days. I would have loved this box of toiletries and snacks - with a magazine and lip balm too please - but anything along the lines of nipple cream, lactation cookies, or breast pads would have increased my anxiety / guilt and made me feel like I was letting you down too.

Placemarking for ideas

Not necessarily for the box but how about a nice new pair of pajamas/dressing gown/blanket so she isn't freezing when she has to get out of bed in the night (especially if she will be night feeding over the winter).

I agree with Ravioli on that, best to stick to snacks and lip balm, magazine, hairbands etc etc etc she can buy her own breastfeeding stuff if everything works out ok for her.

Love the idea of a new cosy dressing gown too - one with pockets!

I think the box is a lovely gift idea and am duly pinching it!

Put in a piece of paper with the link to mumsnet classics - they kept me amused during hours of night feeds!

I didn't manage to breastfeed my eldest, but a box of useful stuff would have helped me - I was horribly underprepared. If she wants to breastfeed then giving her the stuff is helpful surely. Obv OP will know best how her daughter is likely to react.

Lots of good suggestions above. I found I was ridiculously thirsty when breastfeeding so what about a nice bottle - I think I just had a 75cl Evian bottle I carried round with me and just refilled it but have just treated myself to a nice bottle and am wondering why I didn't do that sooner. Also, rather than a box, what about a nice bag (like a cotton shopper) as that's easier to carry - I kept everything I needed in it for feeding and then had it with me day and night. Lovely idea of yours, I'm sure she'll love it.

A night light would be a great addition!

I made myself a box like the one you are planning but I used a soft caddy type thing so I could carry it with one hand. Then I could just plonk it down with me on the sofa or wherever during the day. Here's the one I used.
http://www.fill-your-pants.com/nursery-bedroom/3-sprouts-storage-caddy-grey-mouse.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw78vLBRCZARIsACr4cxz8Sovn4T6gUYk6vWB217GlV9StfyZahAyD1TvKn5L-I9AtbFVKXkaAsz4EALww_wcB

Hand cream, my hands were so sore from constant washing.

The Oxo insulated mugs are the best non leaking ones I've found, great if you need to put your cuppa down quickly.

I'm not sure how off piste this suggestion is, but a small, dimmable light? After the first few days I realised how essential it was and had to dig an old one out of the garage.
Yes, yes, yes to food, water and something to keep you warm.