Baby emergency kit: a 72-hour checklist for parents

Count 72 hours of daily care

Keep the baby's established products in one grab-and-go bag. Record a normal day of feeding and diaper use, multiply by three and add a reasonable buffer for delays.

• Diapers, wipes, barrier cream, disposal bags and a changing mat.
• Usual formula or food, bottles and a safe preparation method when needed.
• Additional safe water when feeding requires preparation.
• Layered clothing, blankets and extra changes.

Health, records and transport

Keep prescribed medicine in labelled packaging and follow storage instructions. Add allergies, doses, clinician contacts and health records on paper. A familiar baby carrier may be more practical than a stroller during evacuation.

Feed and clean safely

Clean hands before preparing feeds and follow product and public-health instructions. Never dilute formula to make it last longer or use water declared unsafe. Seek medical help for signs of dehydration, breathing difficulty, unusual drowsiness or rapid deterioration.