How to Be Prepared for an Emergency with an Infant

Alright, so you have your EDC, your EDC Bag and your 72 hour emergency kit which will cover you and your partner in an emergency situation for a few days, but what can you do to be prepared for your infant if the shit hits the fan?

As I’ve discussed in my previous preparedness posts, prepping is one of those things I try to do without being too crazy about it.  However, I have found that there have been several times over the past year or so that I have thought that being better prepared for any given situation is a very good idea.  Maybe it’s because the world seems to be teetering on the edge of something (though I will not even wager a guess as to what that something might be) or maybe it’s because my first daughter is grown and out of the house and my second daughter is just an infant and there is such vulnerability in both of those situations for this Mama Bear’s protective instincts.  Regardless, being prepared for something will always be better than not being prepared for anything.

For now, let’s talk specifically about how to be prepared for an emergency with an infant in tow.  In my mind, there are only two steps to being prepared for a SHTF situation when you throw an infant into the equation:

1. You must first be prepared yourself
2. Always have your diaper/go bag ready for your Little One

Now, let’s look at both of these points for a minute.

Number One – You must first be prepared yourself.  Think about how, when you get on a plane and they go through the emergency prep talk, they always say to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you place one on your infant or child or help someone else nearby.  The truth is, you cannot help anyone if you are not first taken care of!  This can be hard to remember, but it is imperative in an emergency situation.  So, ensure your EDC, EDC Bag and/or your 72 hour emergency kit are stocked and ready to go in a moments notice first.

Number Two – Always have your diaper/infant Go Bag ready.  If you come home at the end of each day and repack your Little One’s Diaper Bag, it will be ready for you the next day when you’re rushing out the door, which is wonderful in and of itself.  However, if you complete this one step every night, that same bag will also be ready for you should something happen during any of the hours between going to bed and leaving for work.  Whether it is a SHTF situation, a gas leak in your neighborhood or a fire next door, you might have to leave your home quickly and you do not want to be fishing around the house for diapers, wipes or formula.  If the diaper bag is packed, you can simply grab it and go (we use this Messenger Bag instead of a traditional diaper bag and love it).  The items inside will not last forever, but they can get you through the next 12-24 hours, which buys you time and a lot of peace of mind with an infant in tow.

So, what should you pack in your diaper bag to be prepared for an emergency situation?

• Diapers & Diaper Cream – Keep at least 12 hours worth of diapers in your bag at any given time.  More is preferable.  If you use cloth diapers (like we do), this can be a challenge since they are so big and bulky.  So, we always have 6 or 8 paper diapers in our bag just in case we absolutely need them.  If you use diaper cream, make sure that’s packed, too.
• Wipes – Keep a package of ~100 wipes in your bag at all times.  Wipes are great for baby’s butts but they’re also great for dirty hands and faces if you are without water for an extended amount of time.  We use cloth wipes and make our own wipe solution, but we also keep a small pack of store purchased regular ol’ wipes in our bag, again, just in case.
• Food – If you or your partner/wife are breast feeding, awesome…you carry your food with you.  If you are formula feeding, ensure you have formula, bottled water and a couple of bottles in your bag at all times.  If your infant is eating solid foods, ensure you have a few jars and a spoon in case they get hungry before you can get to a store (or in case there are no stores for a bit).
• Extra Clothes – Always have three changes of clothes packed and a pair of PJs in your bag.  We also include a few pairs of socks and a light hat and jacket.  These items will naturally be changed out with the season, so pack what’s appropriate for the time of year.
• Toys/Teethers – A distracted baby is a happy baby, no matter the situation.
• Blankets – Always have two extra blankets packed.  Depending on the season these can be light or heavy or one of each.
• Medications – As always, if you or child require certain medications, ensure you have some stashed in your diaper bag to buy you some time (again) before getting to a store or pharmacy.

Additionally, always have a car seat in your vehicle or very easily accessible within the house for quick pick up as you run out the door.  We also like to have a carrier handy in case we need to be on foot (we love our Ergo Baby).  A twenty pound baby gets very heavy very fast if they are in your arms, but carrying them on your person is much more doable for long periods of time.

Trust me, the thought of an emergency happening in general is scary, but the thought of an emergency happening with my Little One hanging in the balance is absolutely terrifying.  If the shit really did hit the fan, having a Go Bag ready for her isn’t going to save the world, but it just might give us all some peace of mind and buy us some precious time to gather ourselves and plan our next move.

xoxo,
M

Linking up to The Homesteaders Hop #5, Homestead Barn Hop #152, Homemade Mondays #73