Packing a Kids' Go-Bag (Including Infants)

Not medical advice. Ask your pediatrician about your child's feeding, medicines, and health needs. In an emergency, call 911.

What it's for

Little ones can't pack for themselves, and they feel a lot better with their own stuff. Ready.gov's kit list adds a few things for families: infant formula, bottles, diapers, and wipes, plus books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children. The Ramrod keeps the kids' lines on the list; skip the ones you don't need.

Before you need it (practice)

• Let each child help pack their bag. Ready.gov says getting kids involved in preparing helps build their confidence.
• Make the contact card together. Name, a parent's phone, the out-of-town contact, and the meeting spot. Ready.gov says make sure everyone has a copy, kept in a backpack, wallet, or notebook.
• Practice with the headlamp at bedtime so it's familiar, not scary.
• Formula families: read CDC's emergency feeding guidance now (below) and check your stock's dates.

Step by step

For every child

1. ID and contact card in a card holder clipped to the bag or worn.
2. Their own headlamp so they can light their way and find you in the dark.
3. Something to do: an activity kit with crayons, a book, or a writing tablet. Ready.gov's kit list includes activities for children.
4. A change of clothes and sturdy shoes. Ready.gov lists a complete change of clothing for each person.
5. Water in a size they can carry.

For infants (if needed)

1. Diapers and wipes for several days.
2. Ready-to-feed formula, if you formula-feed. The CDC calls ready-to-feed the safest option in an emergency because it needs no water and comes in sterile, single-use containers. Unopened, it doesn't need refrigeration. Use the type your baby already drinks; ask your pediatrician.
3. Disposable cups. The CDC says if you can't clean bottles and nipples with safe water, you can cup-feed with disposable cups and throw them away after one use.
4. If you must use powdered formula, the CDC says mix it with bottled water, or tap water local officials say is safe. If neither is available, boil water for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet) and let it cool. Use the exact water and scoop amounts on the container. Never dilute it.
5. Timing: the CDC says use prepared formula within 2 hours of making it and within 1 hour of starting a feed, and throw out what's left in the bottle. In a power outage, make it fresh each feeding.
6. Very young or premature babies: the CDC says it's especially important to use ready-to-feed if your baby is under 2 months, was born early, or has a weakened immune system.

Common mistakes

• Formula past its date. The CDC says check your emergency stock regularly.
• Packing for the baby you had last year. The CDC notes how much formula a baby drinks changes as they grow. Re-size diapers and clothes too.
• No card on the child. If you get separated, the card does the talking.
• Cups or bottles that touched floodwater. The CDC says nipples, pacifiers, and hard-to-clean items that touch floodwater should be thrown away.

Care & storage

• Re-check sizes and dates at each kit rotation. Ready.gov says re-think your needs every year as your family changes.
• Store the bags with the family kit, by the door.
• Update every contact card when a phone number or meeting spot changes.

Related gear

• Kids' headlamp · ID card holder + contact card · Activity kit
• Infants: Diapers · Baby wipes · Ready-to-feed formula
• Drinking water · Backpack
• See also: The Family Meeting and the Planning Binder · Sleep and Morale When the Power's Out
• Category: Kids & Family · Role: Ramrod

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