Building a Baby Bug Out Bag: Be Prepared Beforehand

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By Dennis Howard •  12 min read

It is exciting news.  You are about to be a parent in a few months.  With a new addition to the family comes all the joys of parenthood.  You also get all the added responsibilities.  If you are a diehard prepper or want to be the best parent possible, this new responsibility will include building a baby bug out bag.

baby bug out bag

Ideally, you will start planning for baby weeks or months before the expected arrival.  Unfortunately, catastrophic events and disasters won’t wait on your doctor’s predicted event date.  In fact, if Murphy has anything to do with it, the disaster may have you bugging-out at the worst possible time.  A little preplanning is in order.

Having that bugout bag for your baby ready before the big day arrives ensures that you will be ready from day one.  If you wait until baby is home, the new schedule, routines, and responsibilities may make finding the time to build that bugout bag almost impossible.  Now is a great time to think about and put together baby’s bugout bag.

Start with The Basics – Water, Food and Hygiene

The first considerations should always be the basics.  Once you have those covered, you can think about the extras or add-ins that round out the bugout bag and will, if the need comes, make life a little more pleasant for baby and everyone else as well.

Water – The Most Important Thing

Baby drinking water

You must plan for water.  Water is the foundation of health, especially for an infant.  Consider all ways water is essential for good health.

The problem with packing water is bulk and weight.  Fortunately, water in most places is abundant if you have the proper equipment to make it drinkable.  That is why I always suggest that, rather than try to pack enough water to last three days, you chose a portable water purification device to put into your bugout bag.  Don’t forget to include one in baby’s bugout bag.

Mothers Milk is Best – But Don’t Count on It

I believe strongly in breastfeeding.  However, there are instances and times when it just isn’t possible.  A bugout situation may be one of those times.  Any situation that requires you to leave you home unexpectedly and deal with a crisis deals an incredible amount of stress to you.   Stress can cause unexpected changes and the loss of breastmilk can be one of them.

You must prepare to feed baby on formula at times.  For a bugout bag, the ideal choice is a powdered formula.  Powdered formula is much lighter and easier to pack than liquid concentrate.  There is also no need to refrigerate the powdered formula after opening.

There are other things you need to consider apart from the baby formula you will choose.

Hygiene – Healthy and Happy

Keeping you and baby healthy and happy is a high priority.  Basic hygiene must be part of your plan.  Even your mental state can be affected by your hygiene.  Maintaining the basic level of personal hygiene adds a sense of normalcy to your life and certainly makes life around you better. 

It is even more important for baby.  When you consider the basic hygiene needs of baby, think about these.


More on the Basics – the Other Essential Addition

There is one other essential addition that you must consider when building your baby bug out bag.  Diapers are, without a doubt, a priority item in the bag.  Without it, life for everyone is going to be miserable. 

Today’s parents have the luxury of disposable diapers.  Open a box, and diaper changes are almost a breeze.  Remove the soiled diaper, clean baby, apply a clean diaper with the velcro fasteners or adhesive strips.  A diaper change can be almost that quick.

Disposable diapers are great.  No doubt.  But how many can you pack in a bugout bag and make it reasonably portable?  Better to look at an alternative from the past. 

Cloth diapers are an option.  Many parents still use cloth diapers for varied reasons.  In a bugout situation, cloth diapers have several advantages.

However, cloth diapers do have some disadvantages you must consider. 


Filling in the Spaces – Other Things to Add to Your Baby Bug Out Bag

With the basics covered, it is time to think about what else you may want to include in your baby bugout bag.  Like you, baby will appreciate some extras to add at least some normalcy level to the routine. 

Extra Clothing – Everyone Wants to be Stylish

beautiful-baby-clothes

Pack several changes of clothing for your baby.  Babies are messy creatures and can quickly soil clothing.  You won’t have the opportunity to run to the laundromat or toss a load of clothing into the washer.  These are my recommendations for packing baby clothing in a bugout bag.


Don’t Forget Playtime

Don’t forget that babies are on a steep learning curve.  Playtime for a baby is a constant need.  Babies need the stimulation of toys and activities to keep them entertained and happy.  You should plan on making room in your baby bugout bag for a few of these essentials.


Last but Not Least – Creature Comfort

If you have room, some things that can add to creature comfort are worth considering.

Beautiful Baby Blanket

Make it Your Own, or Baby’s Own

These are my suggestions for the basics for a baby bugout bag.  You should consider your situation, concerns, and baby’s needs when planning and building a baby bugout bag.  Covering the essentials is the most important part. 

I hope that this article helps you plan for expanding your family and the need to prepare differently with your new role as a parent.  If you have questions, comments, or would like to share experiences, please use the comment section below.  We always like to hear from our readers.  Oh, and before we forget.  Congratulations!

Dennis Howard

A life long hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, after surviving a devastating tornado in his home town, he saw the effects on people's lives as they struggled to cope. He built his first bugout bag a few weeks later and has been a dedicated prepper/survivalist since that time. After a career as a fireman, Dennis opened a retail store (FFL approved) catering to the military, law enforcement, and like-minded individuals. The store built their own AR platforms. Furthermore, Dennis was also an NRA instructor in both long gun and handgun as well as a certified range safety officer. Read his full interview here.