Babies and Pets in Emergencies: Formula, Nappies, Pet Kits

Quick answer: For babies, keep ready-to-feed formula if your baby uses formula, which the CDC calls the safest option when power or safe water is uncertain. Pack bottles, nappies, wipes, clothes and any medicines for at least 3 days, and preferably 2 weeks. For pets, store several days of food and water in sealed containers, plus medicines, a lead, a carrier, ID tags and copies of vaccination and registration records. Add babies and pets to your water and food totals.

The smallest members of the household depend on you completely, and they can’t wait for shops to reopen. Babies need safe feeding and clean nappies. Pets need food, water and a way to travel. A little preparation now makes a stressful situation far more manageable.

Babies and toddlers

Breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding, keep going if you can. The WHO and CDC both describe breastfeeding as the safest way to feed infants in emergencies: it needs no water, fuel or equipment, and it protects babies from infection. Stress can make feeding feel harder, so ask for support early. Keep yourself fed and well hydrated; nursing mothers need extra water. If you have concerns, contact a midwife, health visitor or lactation support service.

Formula feeding without power or safe water

The CDC’s emergency advice for formula-fed babies is:

Use ready-to-feed formula if possible. It needs no water or mixing and comes in sterile containers. This is especially important for babies under 2 months old, babies born prematurely and babies with weakened immune systems.
If you must use powdered formula, mix it with bottled water.
If bottled water is not available, boil water for 1 minute (3 minutes above 2,000 m / 6,500 ft), then use it as below.
Without power or a working fridge, make a fresh feed each time and throw away any leftover formula after the feed.

The WHO and the UK NHS advise making up powdered formula with water that is at least 70 °C, which in practice means water boiled and left to cool for no more than 30 minutes. Cool the made-up bottle quickly before feeding and test the temperature on your wrist. Always follow the instructions on the formula tin, and your local health service’s advice.

Never water down formula to make it last longer, and don’t make homemade formula. If supply runs low, contact your local health service or emergency relief organisations.

Clean bottles

Washing and sterilising bottles takes water and fuel, which may be scarce. Options to plan for:

Single-use, pre-sterilised bottles and teats, or ready-to-feed bottles with disposable teats.
Enough bottles for a full day, so you can clean them in one batch.
Extra stored water for cleaning. Wash with soap and safe water, then sterilise following your usual method if you can.

Nappies and hygiene

Count how many nappies your child uses in a typical day, then multiply by the number of days in your goal. Add a buffer, since illness and stress can increase use.
Store wipes, nappy cream and nappy bags. Wipes double as a way to clean hands and surfaces when water is short.
Cloth nappies need water and power to wash. Keep a pack of disposables as a backup.
Go up a size. Children grow fast. Rotate stored nappies into everyday use and buy the next size up.

Baby food and toddler snacks

Pouches, jars and toddler snacks your child already eats.
Long-life (UHT) milk for toddlers who drink milk, if suitable for their age.
A spoon, bowl and bib that are easy to clean.

Comfort and health

Clothes for each day, warm layers and a hat.
A favourite toy, blanket or book.
Infant pain relief, thermometer and any prescribed medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what is suitable for your child’s age.
A sling or carrier, in case you need to walk.
Copies of birth certificate, health records and vaccination record.

Water: add it up

Babies and pets add to your household water needs.

Who	Extra water to plan for
Breastfeeding parent	More drinking water than the standard 4 L per day
Baby on powdered formula	Water to mix every feed, plus water to clean bottles
Baby on ready-to-feed formula	Little extra; some water for cleaning
Dog or cat	Their usual daily drinking water; more in hot weather (ask your vet)

For the basics, see how much water to store. To see how babies and pets change your household totals, check how many days your household would last. The calculator asks about infants, toddlers, dogs and cats.

Pets

Pet emergency kit

Ready.gov suggests a pet kit with:

Several days of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
Several days of water and a bowl.
An extra supply of any regular medicine, in a waterproof container.
A pet first-aid kit. Ask your vet what to include.
A collar with ID tag, a harness or lead, plus spares.
A carrier, crate or travel bag, ideally one per pet.
Copies of registration and other records, in a waterproof container and stored electronically.
Grooming and sanitation supplies: litter and tray, poo bags, paper towels, bin bags.
A familiar toy or bedding to reduce stress.
A recent photo of you with your pet, which helps prove ownership if you are separated.

Records and ID

Vaccination records. Boarding kennels and some pet-friendly shelters ask for proof of vaccination.
Microchip. Ready.gov recommends microchipping your pet and keeping your contact details up to date, including an emergency contact outside your area.
Vet details and any medical history, especially for older pets.

Food, storage and rotation

Store pet food the same way as your own: sealed, cool, dry and off the floor.
Rotate dry and tinned pet food using first in, first out (see food rotation and FIFO).
Avoid sudden diet changes. Stock the food your pet already eats.
Keep a manual can opener if you use tinned pet food without ring pulls.

If you have to leave

Plan where your pets can go. Not all emergency shelters accept animals. Find pet-friendly accommodation, friends or family outside your area ahead of time.
Practise with the carrier. A cat that is used to its carrier is far easier to move in a hurry.
Take your pets with you whenever it is safe to do so.

Babies and pets checklist

Follow your local health service, vet and civil-protection authorities, who know the risks where you live. For the rest of your household kit, see the 72-hour emergency kit guide.