The ultimate baby survival kit for the car
Diaper accidents can happen in a blink of an eye...
It’s a ten-minute drive between the house and the day care. I’d lost the habit of taking along a diaper bag. After all, there’s got to be 10 convenience stores and four pharmacies along the way. But one day I learned I had to be better prepared and have the ULTIMATE survival kit in my car. Any emergency can become a big deal when there’s a baby involved.
I got a flat tire between home and the day care. Nothing to worry about, but that’s when my baby decided to explode in his diaper. Just to make a good day better, I found myself with a baby who was also hungry as well as dirty all at once! Let me tell you, I had to use my imagination: I improvised a diaper (with what I had), gave him water and used my jacket to cover the mess on the seat. This was no picnic, that’s for sure.
I promised myself this was never going to happen again. Because you can’t be too careful, here’s my survival kit that could get you out of a jam in an emergency, while letting you carry less between day care and work.
The essentials: Here are the key basics if your child is still not toilet trained:
- Diapers
- Wet wipes
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Toilet paper
- Small mat
Make sure the diapers are the right size. You already have some in a diaper bag? Good for you, but put some in the trunk of the car too. Paper towels and tissues are handy as well because anything is warmer than a wet wipe that has spent the winter in the trunk.
A blanket and a comfort kit: My mother always had a blanket in the car and it comes in handy in the cold or if there’s been a mess. I also recommend a smaller one for the baby, and if your baby uses a pacifier, leave an identical one in the car as well. If your baby is attached to a teddy bear or security blanket, it’s a good idea to be able to provide a similar one in a pinch.
Food and an emergency bottle kit This emergency kit includes powdered milk, bottle of water, and a clean baby bottle. I’ve always got snacks in the glove compartment. Whether it’s for me or for the baby, it hits the spot. You can use the powdered milk to calm your baby in an emergency. There are single servings that are really practical for babies and even for older children, and you can prepare it using bottled water. If you’re breastfeeding, always stop in an area that’s safe.
A secret toy, laptop or tablet: Keep a secret toy, rarely played with, in order to pass the time. For older children, you can also provide books. When the going gets really hairy (my tow truck took more than an hour to arrive with my last flat), make sure you always have a video loaded on your laptop (if you keep it with you) or on your cellphone. It can also be a good time to be watching nursery rhymes on YouTube!
A change of clothes: Sleepers with feet will always do the trick for a change of clothes, so it’s a good idea to have some on hand, just in case!
A travelling pharmacy kit: It’s smart to have a couple of medications and emergency items with you at all times such as acetaminophen, antibiotic ointments, bandages, etc. Don’t go nuts, but you never know— we ARE talking about the ULTIMATE survival kit!
A first aid kit for the car: We underestimate their value, but you’ll be happy to have it, especially if you’re an active family. Don’t forget to add a flashlight. If nothing else, the kids can play with it.
Naturally, I keep my survival kit out of sight. When the items take up too much room, I put them in a kitchen garbage bag that makes my kit much less attractive to thieves. Nevertheless, if your kit is stolen or damaged in your car (in this case, the contents that are usually kept in the home and are not used in the operation of the car or attached to it), you’re covered by your home insurance.
And you can avoid trouble by using the bumpr app that tells your contacts you’re unavailable to text when you’re on the road. Unfortunately, the app does nothing to calm children throwing tantrums! LOL.
What emergency items do you keep in your car?
