It is essential to realize that you are going to need to
carry your child for the overwhelming majority of your bug out. Besides the physical limitations of toddlers
and infants they may be emotionally or mentally traumatized by the event that
caused the bug out and new surroundings.
This will lead them to be more needy and want to be in frequent
reassuring contact with their parent. As
you will already be carrying your family bug out bag, the additional weight of
your child has to be incorporated into your bug out planning. It is necessary but it will ultimately slow
you down and cause you to burn more calories.
Plan your energy intake and rest stops to account for this.
Noise reduction is an important aspect of operational
security. This clashes with the need for
most young children to yell or cry to express their needs. This means you need a strategy in place to
keep your child quiet if a critical situation arises. It may be as simple as giving them a pacifier
or as advanced as giving them a dose of antihistamine or other substance that
may make them drowsy (Talk to a doctor if you are considering this latter
strategy!!!!). Plan and prepare to avoid
problems when you are on the road.
Carefully packing a family bug out bag and making your family bug out plan compatible with the limitations presented by having young ones with your bug out group. We are going to what to pack in your family bug out bag and how to best prepare your family unit to survive when the unforeseen strikes.
A family bug out bag can differ from a typical solo BOB in a
few important ways. Although it has the
same primary purpose of being a mobile kit to help you survive, it must be
tailored to meet the needs of multiple people of various ages and
skillsets. Here are some items to add
into your family bug out bag based on the ages of the children you will be
evacuating with:
Family
Bug Out Bag: Infants and Toddlers (Age 0-5)
- Combination child carrier and pack: This will
enable you to carry both your child and survival gear. It is ideal to utilize one of these
combination packs as an option for your family bug out bag if you have a
toddler or infant that you are going to bug out with. Having a combination child carrier/pack will
enable you to carry everything comfortably and allow you to move further
faster.
- Diapers: This is obvious for anyone who
has been a parent but it might be something that is overlooked when packing
your firestarters, paracord, and other survival gear. Pack both disposable and reusable diapers. Reusable diapers are multiuse with some basic
treatment, but need time to dry which may be hard to do in wet weather. They are also multipurpose and can be put to
many other tasks beyond their primary objective.
- Medicine syringe/Eyedropper: This goes
along with any medication you may be giving your child. It may be as simple as a reflux medication
but you do not want to have to improvise a delivery method while on the move. Medicine syringes are lightweight and take up
very little room. If your infant may
need to ingest any medication be sure to pack one.
- Formula:
You may pack rations or be able to forage and hunt for yourself but what
about the little one? Even if the mother
is currently breastfeeding it is wise to pack some powdered formula. This will enable another person to feed the
child if the mother is separated or otherwise unable to do so.
- Pacifier: If your child takes a pacifier
having one packed in your family bug out bag will make sure it comes with you
as you evacuate. A pacifier may help
your child sleep and will give you an option for keeping them quiet when
maintaining a low volume is imperative.
- Extra Clothing: As a rule of thumb pack
your family bug out bag with 2 more sets of clothing for your child than you
pack for yourself. This will enable you
to better regulate their temperature by using the principle of layering and
give you options in the event of a diaper accident.
- Waterproof Bodysuit: This is essential
foul weather gear for your infant or toddler.
Keeping them warm and dry will go a long way in reducing parental stress
and keeping morale high. There are many
options out there for this, make sure if you already have one that it is packed
in your family bug out bag, not hanging in the closet. Also be sure that if it has been a while
since you last performed a review of your family bug out bag that this item
(and any other clothing) still fits your growing child.
- Pre-sterile bottles: These are bottles
that are sold in sterile packaging. It
will save you from having to boil a bottle before feeding your child while on
the move. Be sure to keep track of
expiration dates on any sterile items as a part of your regular bug out bag
reviews.
- Sterilization agent: This is generally sold
in a concentrated powder or liquid form that is diluted with water. If you have to use any bottle multiple times
you will eventually need to sterilize them.
A few drops of sterilizing agent mixed with water in a nalgene or other
wide mouthed water bottle can be used to sterilize bottles or other small
items.
