Bushfires, floods, storms and other emergencies can disrupt daily life. If you're caring for an infant, planning ahead will help you keep your baby safe and reduce stress if you can't access shops or essential resources.
General emergency advice for parents and carers
No matter how you feed your baby, these steps will help you prepare.
Make an emergency plan — aim to evacuate to a friend or family member's home rather than an evacuation centre. It's easier to care for your baby in a familiar, well-equipped space.
Pack an evacuation kit — include enough supplies to care for your baby for at least three days. Essentials include:
- 36 nappies
- 200 baby wipes
- Baby clothes (summer and winter)
- Sleeping bag or suit
- Toys and comfort items
- Baby sling or carrier
- Medicines and child health records
Expect changes in your baby's behaviour — they may want to feed more often, be held more, or wake frequently. These changes are normal and will ease as life returns to normal.
Look after yourself too — stay hydrated, eat regularly, and ask for help when needed. You're doing an important job by caring for your baby.
Now for the specifics depending on your feeding situation.
Breastfeeding in emergencies
Breastmilk is always available, safe, and provides comfort and immunity during a disaster. Stressful situations can slow the flow of breastmilk but your supply won't stop.
How to prepare:
- Pack breast pads, snacks, and 10 litres of water for yourself.
- Include a sling, bibs, blanket, and any breastfeeding aids you use.
- Keep the National Breastfeeding Helpline number handy: 1800 686 268
During an emergency:
- Breastfeed as often as your baby wants.
- Use skin-to-skin contact to encourage feeding.
- If you're in an evacuation centre, ask for a private space to breastfeed.
Watch for signs your baby is getting enough milk:
- At least five wet disposable nappies (or six cloth) per 24 hours.
- Pale, low-odour wee
- Runny or soft poo
Expressed Breastmilk Feeding in Emergencies
Expressing breastmilk can be a safe alternative when direct breastfeeding isn't possible.
How to prepare:
- Learn hand expressing (no pump needed).
- Pack paper cups, bottles, breast pads, disinfectant wipes, and 20 litres of water.
During an emergency:
- Express as often as your baby feeds.
- Keep expressed milk at room temperature for up to six to eight hours.
- Use skin-to-skin contact and relax to help milk flow.
- Cup feeding may be easier for some babies — pack smaller cups for feeding.
Formula Feeding in Emergencies
Formula feeding requires careful planning, especially when clean water and electricity may be unavailable.
What you'll need:
- An unopened tin of formula (with six or more months until expiry).
- 24 bottles and teats or 24 paper cups and spoons
- Bottled water (still, not carbonated)
- Cleaning supplies: detergent, paper towels, disinfectant wipes
- 15 litres of water for washing hands and surfaces
During an emergency:
- Prepare one feed at a time.
- Clean hands and surfaces thoroughly. Use bottled water if boiling isn't possible.
- Discard unused formula after two hours.
- If your usual formula isn't available, any stage one formula sold in Australia is safe, unless your baby has allergies.
Emergency Kit Checklists
Each feeding method has specific needs:
Breastfed baby
- Breast pads
- Sling
- Snacks and water
- Breastfeeding aids
Expressed breastmilk
- Paper cups and bottles
- Breast pads
- Soap or sanitiser
Formula-fed baby
- Formula tin
- Bottled water
- Feeding bottles or cup
- Cleaning supplies
Remember, if you can plan to evacuate to a well-equipped family or friend's home in a safer area, rather than an evacuation centre, it'll be easier to care for your baby.