Create a Portable Infant Emergency Kit

For those of you who are wondering, what on earth to pack for a 72-hour kit for my baby? I understand, you may be looking at your current diaper bag and thinking that tiny bundle will have a pack as big as your own!

An Infant 72-Hour Kit should be added to your family 72-hour kit at the beginning of the first trimester, but no later than the beginning of the third trimester. You do not want to be caught without it, plus once the baby gets here, it will completely slip your mind.

Be prepared to breastfeed, even if this isn’t your first choice – it is the safest food for your baby in a disaster. Even if you are using bottled water and washing and boiling all the supplies, nothing beats the built in sanitation of breastfeeding, not to mention the antibodies that are passed to the infant during breastfeeding. This will be invaluable in disaster situations.

Consider these items while planning a basic 72 hour kit for infants or newborns:

•  96 oz of water (can cover a baby drinking up to 32 oz a day)

•  Formula –POWDERED ONLY – be sure you have at least 48 scoops worth

•  2-5 bottles and nipples (the more you have the less you have to boil and wash them)

•  A pack or two of diapers (or more)

•  2 packs (72 count each) of Diaper wipes – they can be used for cleaning as well as diaper changes

•  Clothes- pack 2 sizes too big. It’s much easier to put babies into something that’s too big, than too small.

  •  5 onesies

  •  5 footie pajamas

  •  2-3 pairs of pants

  •  6-10 pairs of socks – they can double as mittens for keeping hands warm too

•  Burp rags or smaller blanket

•  2 emergency blankets, which retain more heat and can be used as an additional layer over a comfortable receiving blanket

•  Hand warmers

•  Thermos (acts like a mini fridge or can keep formula warmer longer)

•  A couple rolls of toilet paper

•  Teething tablets or gel (for older infants you can add this later)

•  Pedialyte or Gatorade or homemade equivalent

•  1-2 boxes of nursing pads (if disposable, reusable will require laundry and bleach daily)

•  Diaper Rash ointment

•  Hand sanitizer

•  Baby wash and lotion

•  Tissues (as much for you as them)

•  2 pacifiers (even if you don’t plan on using them pack them. Desperation may change your mind and nipple confusion is more likely to happen if the pacifier is introduced later)

•  Infant Tylenol and Motrin (which is best for teething) Be sure and rotate this.

•  Teething ring

•  Baby powder

•  Diaper rash cream

•  2-3 receiving blankets

•  Ziplock baggies (gallon size) for stashing dirty clothes and diapers

•  If you haven’t nursed before than pack a nursing guide from the la leche league

•  Consider packing a small camp stove for boiling water for sanitizing

•  learn first aid techniques for infants 

The most important tool in your kit is a Baby Wrap Carrier. An infant reacts to trauma as well and will have an increased need to be held, this also mimics the womb for a newborn and is very comforting all while freeing your hands for other things.

Packing your Infant 72 Hour Kit

There are plenty of methods for packing it all up. Which one you choose should be determined by your situation. A regular backpack will work in any situation, just remember that you only have 2 hands and one will be carrying a baby and you’ll still have your kit and the baby’s kit. Working mom’s should use the backpack method, especially if you have a sitter at your home while you’re working. It’s easy to grab and go.

Keep in mind if you and baby will most likely be together or you are a stay at home mom, having both your kits in one combined case makes for an easier get-a-way.

You should review and rotate your child’s clothes every 3-6 months or make sure you are always keeping the next two sizes in your infant 72-hour kit. You don’t want to be caught without proper clothing. You might even consider rotating winter/summer clothes. Put it on the calendar and make it a priority.