Infant Kits

Originally posted on The ReadyStore Blog

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Infant Kits

One of the questions I am often asked is, “What should I put in an infant 72-hour kit?” Babies have very specific nutritional needs and their kits should be custom-designed for them. So, here are the basics of what should be in every baby 72 hour kit:

Water

Formula

Bottles

Jarred baby food and snacks

Disposable diapers

Wipes

Change of clothing

Blanket

Infant medication

Sling for carrying baby

Diaper rash ointment

Soap for bathing and laundry

Thermometer

Pacifier

Contact Info

Favorite things: book, toy, blanket

I know that there are lots of moms out there who nurse their babies who are thinking, “I don’t need to have formula if I am breastfeeding.” That may be true, but I am a big believer in preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. What if you didn’t have enough to drink and were unable to produce enough milk? What if you were separated from your baby? By having water, formula, and bottles on hand, you can know that the nutritional needs of your baby will be met.

I know that there are also people out there who use cloth diapers. So, why do I recommend disposables? In emergency situations, you are dealing with limited time and resources. While I think it is a good idea to keep some cloth diapers in your kit, there is no guarantee that you will have a place to store, wash, and dry cloth diapers. Plan to keep a minimum of 3 days worth of disposables in your infant kit.

I also like to keep an infant fever reducer in my infant kit in case my child is teething or fighting a fever. A sling can be helpful if you are required to carry your baby and nare unable to use a stroller. A sling can be a lifesaver for your back and arms. It is also important to consider the emotional needs of your baby. Does she sleep with a stuffed animal or read a certain book before naptime? By providing your baby with comfort items, you can make a difficult experience much easier to deal with.