How to Pack an Emergency Baby Bag for a Car

No matter how meticulous you pack your baby's diaper bag, it seems you always forget or are short on something. Having an emergency baby bag that stays in your car will save you from last minute trips to the store when you only need one diaper or when you forget your baby's pacifier at home. You should also pack emergency supplies for your baby beyond what you would have in an everyday diaper bag just in case you find yourself in an emergency situation -- such as a natural disaster or if you get stranded for a few days.

Things You'll Need

  • Diapers
  • Baby wipes
  • Baby clothing
  • Pacifiers
  • Bibs
  • Rash ointment
  • Moisturizer
  • Baby cup
  • Small baby toys
  • non-perishable baby food
  • Plastic spoons
  • Powdered baby formula
  • Baby bottles
  • First-aid kit
  • Bottled water
  • Blanket
  • Small towel

Instructions

    • 1

      Pack triple the amount of baby essentials you would normally pack in a diaper bag. This includes diapers, baby wipes and extra clothing for three days just in case you are stuck away from home for a while. You can pack both warm and cold weather outfits, but include items that are easy to layer so that you can add or remove layers of clothing from your baby as needed. Add accessories like shoes, hats and gloves as well. Other essentials include couple of pacifiers, bibs, diaper rash ointment, baby powder, moisturizer, a baby cup with a lid and handles and a few attention-grabbing toys.

    • 2

      Pack nonperishable baby food. If your baby can eat nonperishable baby food, pack enough for three days and some plastic spoons. If your baby drinks milk and you don't breastfeed, pack a container of powdered baby formula that you can mix with water, as well as several sterile baby bottles in packaging. If you do breastfeed, consider keeping a battery-operated breast pump in the car as well.

    • 3

      Include baby medication as you see fit. You may want to talk to your pediatrician about what he would recommend. If your child has any prescription medications she takes regularly, ask your pediatrician about getting an additional bottle or dosage to keep in the emergency baby bag. You may also want to include a baby thermometer to check your baby's temperature in an emergency situation.

    • 4

      Pack emergency essentials. Your baby's emergency bag should have a small first-aid kit that includes adhesive bandages, alcohol pads, gauze and ointment. You may want to purchase infant-sized adhesive bandages, which you won't find in a standard first-aid kit. You should also include a large bottle of water, a warm blanket, antibacterial wipes, changing pad and a small towel to clean up spills.

    • 5

      Write all of your family's emergency information on an index card to attach to the outside of the emergency baby bag. Laminate it if possible. The card should list the names and birth dates of each family member, as well as any allergies or medical conditions. That way, if you, the baby, or another family member is hurt, first responders can properly help you if you are not able to provide them with information. Include an emergency contact person on the card as well.

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