Mother cat with no motherly instinct- One of the kittens has died.

[catsknowme]

I just wanted to say that the mother cat I spoke about above just had no idea what she was supposed to do with them. She just kept stashing them then lounging in the floor like they did not exist.

You came up with an excellent solution! I have used the crate solution myself. Hopefully, the mother cats will not become to stressed out at being confined. I add a warmed cornmeal sock (just like a rice sock but a bit softer) alongside the babies in case mama kitty does not immediately snuggle up to them.