What should be in your emergency kit for your baby?

This is the time of year when the weather goes crazy and we find ourselves needing to be prepared for the worst. Back in Kansas we learned a lot about dealing with tornadoes. A vital bit of information that became handy multiple times even in Florida for the hurricane seasons. It is important to see to each member of the families needs for both short-term (bug out bag) and long-term (emergency storage.) When you have a baby or toddler you find yourself with a lot of questions like “What you need in your emergency kit for your baby or toddler?”

What should be in your short-term emergency kit for your baby or toddler?

Your short-term kit should be set for 3 days. This should be everything you need in your shelter or on the go in an emergency to keep your baby cared for.

Wet dry bag – to help separate things until you can was later.

Spare clothing for 3 days.

Diapers for three days plus 5-10 extras for back up.

Disposable baby wipes – large bag.

Food: formula, bottles, and bottled water if formula feeding. Snacks, drinks, and easy to serve no cook meals for older babies and toddlers.

First aid kit complete with Benadryl. In worst case if things get bad Benadryl can be used to make your mobile toddler sleep during emergencies keeping them safe while you hide in your shelter. This is one of those cases it can save a life to use medication to make your child sleep. Other things to pack in your first aid kit include medicines, teething care, and diaper cream.

Toys to keep baby entertained and calm.

Portable play yard or pack in play. While this can not go in your bag they can be carried and can be amazing for keeping your child in a safe place.

Baby carrier. Should the worst happen you will find yourself grateful you can carry your baby hands free.

What should be in your long-term emergency kit for your baby or toddler?

Long term emergency kits need to have supplies for a minimum of 2 weeks. Two five gallon buckets make a great container for your baby’s emergency kit. It also doubles as a way to collect water for. This is in addition to your short-term emergency kit.

Cloth diapers and wipes. While disposables are great for the short-term cloth will get you longer and take away the worries of how to diaper your child. I recommend 20 flour sack towels (less than a dollar each in 10 packs at walmart), 3 diaper covers, and a large pack of wash clothes. These are easy to wash and dry fast to keep you in a supply even if you go weeks without poser and unable to purchase diapers for your baby. Use the 5 gallon buckets for collecting water from nearly by fountains or rain and for washing soiled diapers. A dollar store clothes line and pins can make drying anywhere easier. A bottle of dawn dishwashing detergent with an ounce of bleach mixed in will clean diapers well by hand and kill any bacteria.

More clothes. Pick lightweight cotton that is easy to wash with the diapers to keep your baby in supply of fresh dry clothes.

Two weeks of formula and water if formula feeding. Non-perishable food is a vital thing to put in the emergency kit for your baby.

Extra blankets

Sturdy shoes for walkers.

Leash style baby harness – while many parents choose to avoid these should your family be hit by disaster they can be invaluable for keeping your toddler from getting hurt while still giving them a bit of freedom to walk around as you take care of things to get everything set right again. Remember disaster relief involves a lot of lines and most mobile children will not want to be held for hours on end.

2 weeks minimum of any medications your baby is on. Ask your Dr for an extra script to put in the emergency kit for your baby.

If you have a young baby with medical issues you may want to invest in a generator so you can go without power for longer without worry that your baby will not have what they need.

Disaster relief usually arrives within a few days but they can only offer you so much to you. By preparing ahead of time you will find yourself ready for the worst and not waiting on help for your basic needs.

Find out what to do in a tornado watch