What about an emergency 72 hour backpack for infants?

(Are you a grandparent?

Think about creating a kit like this for your grandchild as a gift.)

Remember seeing parents on the news during the chaos of Hurricane Katrina crying out for help because they didn’t have formula or clean water for their baby? I do – and I never want to be in that situation. So here is how I prepare. I have used a backpack or other bag (start today with whatever you have in your home – even a plastic bag until you find something better).

I add bottled water, formula, a few disposable spoons, some prepared baby food in plastic containers, small infant acetaminophen, diapers, a small zip lock bag of wet wipes, a warm set of pj’s that are a size or so too big, a binki, and a bottle with plastic liners that can be thrown away so I don’t waste water cleaning a bottle. I also pin a few safety pins in there in case the nipple hole is too small for my growing baby. I also include a plastic rain poncho so I can cover the baby in bad weather if need be. It’s hard to carry enough diapers for 72 hours, so I just bring what I think I can get away with. When you think of what to put it in, remember that potentially your arms will be very full with a baby, their pack, and hopefully yours. Also, include a paper with the family’s names on it, address, emergency contacts both in-state and out-of-state. In a crisis you may not even remember your own phone number – so have it written down. I really like to put a photo of the family as well – another lesson learned from hurricane Katrina. The photo would allow me to post a picture on the web or through the media if a member of the family got separated for some reason.

Lastly, remember that unlike an adult, your baby is changing sizes every few months. This is the only year of their life that you may need to update their 72 hour kit 3 times a year. After that, once a year updates are fine.

Comments? Other ideas? Please tell us what you've done for your infant.