Children are a special case in preparing for an emergency. Stress from a situation, combined with strange food, strange places, and circumstances, can adversely effect the little ones 10x more than an adult. Work off the senses, since a baby can not tell you what will relax and calm him/her.
Sight 
Let's face it, you are the most wonderful sight to baby!But to help, in an emergency shelter or situation, pick a spot away from the crowd. Create a family space. (the emergency buckets make a great "wall") Also, farthest from bathrooms is ideal. When we go camping, the first thing we do is set up the tent, make beds(cots) with pillows, & blankies. Get the kitchen stuff out, & set up our spaces for cooking, washing hands & dishes, food, shade. All the packaging and bins get put away so that we are organized, and ready for camping! This is our family home base. As mom taking charge and setting up base is going to sooth not only baby, but family too!
Hearing
You know what sends your kids off to dreamland, & even playing a CD in the background during the day can take the edge off a sticky situation. Be sure to pack an ipod or a small cd player with some soothing music. Everyone appreciates some rolling waves behind the piano strains of Bach.
Smell
A warming pack infused with lavender & chamomile is a way to wrap that sweet one in relaxation. The smell will send everyone into a dreamy sleep. Ok, maybe not, but baby will think you are so fancy.
Taste
Babies over six months can eat solid food, it just needs to be mushed, & thinned. Have some dry milk as well. Baby food in glass jars keeps for quite awhile, so stock up & rotate. I also have stocked up on whole grain rice cereal, even though my little guy is 14 months. It adds nutrition, bulk, & poofs up in hungry tummies! Formula for younger than 6 months is essential. DO NOT count on breast milk! I repeat, do no count on breast milk!!! Mom's possible lowered nutrition, water intake, and foreign food taste,can change breast milk. Also, although I do not want to think of it, the possibility you aren't there. You must have formula and bottles available. Glass bottles are a must they can be sterilized in boiling water over an open flame. If there is no formula available, here is a recipe for making formula you can write and add to your kit.
Formula Recipe:not mine, this is complements of Preparedness Pro
Combine 6 tablespoons of nonfat dry milk, 2 teaspoons of quality vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon of sugar (ONLY REAL SUGAR—no alternatives) in one cup of purified water (boiled, pasteurized, etc.). Thoroughly mix all the ingredients and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before serving to your child.
Touch 
Soft toys, soft blankets, & soft mom. That is pretty much what teeny guys need. Older babies will need some toys too. Make sure to pack toys that are easy to clean & disinfect. Plastic keys, plastic pop-beads, and other age appropriate toys. Nothing with annoying noises, or things that require batteries. Some great, study plastics are great! Get creative, even some measuring cups, mixing spoons, and Tupperware can pull double duty as entertainment. Purchase bright colors for baby fun, and also to know it is yours!
CLICK ON ANY OF THE ABOVE PICTURES FOR SOME GREAT SITES & INFO
Posts
7 comments:
I only like happy, nice, and loving comments, so please, phrase things nicely, and not in an accusatory way. I DO make mistakes, pretty much all day. I can only write from my own experience. I have changed the last part of my post to appease those who might have thought I Hate Breast feeders. LOL, no in fact I may be one... dun dun dun :o)
to make all preparedness easy check out www.ice-qube.com
This is a neat blog! I'm not sure I agree about the breastmilk thing though... a mother's milk supply will hold up just fine in an emergency, even a prolonged one; in fact if more women breastfed even in a disaster like Katrina most would be fine. I would be more worried about trying to find clean water to mix with formula! Just my two cents...
I'd like to add a suggestion to bring a baby carrier of some sort. Chances are you will have your arms full trying to carry the essentials, and being able to have your hands free with baby on your tummy or back would truly make any situation a little easier, especially in an emergency.
Check out this website that has solid first aid and medical emergency (as well as homeland security) cool devices, software and kits for self sufficiency until 9-1-1 can arrive, www.think-safe.com == the Emergency Instruction Device (EID) is comprehensive, covering all things that result in an ER visit or hospitalization according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Safety Council Injury Facts. www.think-safe.com/FirstVoice/EmergencyInstructionDevice/tabid/285/Default.aspx
I appreciate the efforts made to create this site. Common sense is the best tool when it comes to being prepared. What works for one may not work for another.
The tips, tools and links are very helpful and one certainly will gain from this resource.
Don't give up posting great ideas. Everyone has to use that common sense to apply the info to their situation. I for one say hip hip hooray for baby bottle prepardness.
do any body know how to make 5 sense oil,if you have the recipe i would be very happy.
Post a Comment