A pregnancy or a new baby changes what belongs in your emergency kit. You need everything a standard disaster kit covers, plus feeding supplies, medical records, and a backup plan for prenatal or newborn care if your usual doctor’s office is closed. Building this out before you need it is the difference between a stressful evacuation and a dangerous one.
This guide walks through what to add to a standard kit, how to plan for feeding a baby without power or clean water, and when to get medical help right away.
Get Medical Care Immediately If You See These Signs
These warning signs apply whether you are currently pregnant or gave birth within the past year. If you notice any of the following, call your health care provider, call 911, or go to the emergency room right away. Tell them you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or were pregnant in the past year.
- Severe headache that won’t go away or gets worse
- Dizziness or fainting
- Changes in vision
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Extreme swelling of the hands or face
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain or a fast-beating heart
- Severe belly pain that doesn’t go away
- Baby’s movement stopping or slowing during pregnancy
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
- Heavy vaginal bleeding or bad-smelling discharge after pregnancy
- Swelling, redness, or pain in one leg
- Overwhelming tiredness
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
This list does not cover every possible symptom. If something feels wrong, do not wait it out. Speak up and get checked, even during a disaster and even if it means seeing a provider you don’t normally see.
Talk to Your Provider Before an Emergency Happens
Do this while you can still make a phone call and get an appointment. Ask your provider two things: where you would get prenatal care or deliver your baby if their office or the hospital is closed, and how to get a longer emergency supply of any prescriptions or prenatal vitamins you take. Some states allow extended emergency refills, so ask what applies where you live.
Keep a printed copy of key medical information in your kit, not just on your phone. A dead battery shouldn’t cost you access to your due date, your blood type, your baby’s pediatrician, or a list of your medications.
What to Add to a Standard Emergency Kit
Start with the basics recommended for every household: water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a first aid kit, and extra batteries. From there, add the items below for pregnancy and newborn needs.
Add These Items If You’re Pregnant
- At least a 7- to 10-day supply of prenatal vitamins and any prescription medications
- A printed copy of your prenatal records, due date, blood type, and provider contact information, kept in a waterproof, portable container
- Copies of insurance information and ID
- Feminine hygiene supplies
- A list of urgent maternal warning signs (see above) so anyone helping you knows what to watch for
Add These Items If You Have a Newborn or Infant
- Diapers, wipes, and a change of clothing for the baby
- A portable crib, bassinet, or other flat sleep surface with no pillows, blankets, or toys, so your baby can still sleep on their back safely if you leave home
- Bottled water set aside specifically for mixing formula, separate from your household drinking water
- If formula feeding, extra ready-to-feed formula if you can get it, since it does not require mixing with water
- A manual can opener if any of your emergency food or formula is canned
- Baby’s medical records, including recent weight checks and any medications
- Hand sanitizer for times when soap and water are not available before handling feeding items
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping at least a 3-day supply of food and water for each person in the household, and storing a 2-week supply of water if you have the space for it. Water needs go up when you’re preparing formula or replacing fluids while breastfeeding, so build in extra rather than cutting it close.
Feeding Your Baby When the Power or Water Is Out
How you feed your baby during a disaster depends on how you feed your baby normally. Both breastfeeding and formula feeding can be done safely during an emergency with some planning.
If You’re Breastfeeding
Continue breastfeeding if you are able to. It’s considered the safest infant feeding option during a natural disaster because it does not depend on clean water, a heat source, or a reliable supply chain. Keep drinking water and resting when you can, since your own hydration supports your milk supply.
If You’re Formula Feeding
- Use ready-to-feed formula when it’s available, since it skips the mixing step entirely.
- If you’re mixing powdered or concentrated formula, use bottled water first.
- If bottled water isn’t available, boil water for one minute and let it cool before mixing.
- Wash your hands before preparing formula or feeding your baby. If soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clean bottles, nipples, and other feeding items with bottled, boiled, or treated water and soap before every use.
- Throw away any bottle nipples or pacifiers that touched floodwater. Do not try to clean and reuse them.
If you can’t safely clean feeding supplies at all, a baby can lap milk from a clean, disposable cup as a short-term option.
Who should discuss Emergency Preparedness During Pregnancy and With a Newborn first
Some situations call for more planning than the general guidance above. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, are expecting multiples, are past your due date, or your baby was born premature or has ongoing medical needs, talk to your provider specifically about your evacuation and shelter plan. Ask what supplies, equipment, or backup power your baby’s care might require, and build that into your kit rather than assuming standard guidance covers it.
Sheltering, Evacuating, and What to Say
If you need to find an open shelter near you, you can text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362. If you go to a shelter, tell staff as soon as possible that you are pregnant, recently gave birth, or have an infant with you, so they can direct you to appropriate support.
If you’re building a grab-and-go bag for a fast evacuation, keep the pregnancy and newborn items above in a bag you can carry, not just in a home storage bin. Our guide to bug out bags and 72-hour kits covers how to build a pack you can move with quickly.
Hazards to Avoid After the Disaster Passes
- Floodwater: Avoid touching or walking through it. If you do, wash the exposed skin with soap and clean water right away.
- Mold: If your home flooded, avoid entering buildings with visible mold damage while pregnant or if you have a young infant.
- Carbon monoxide: Never run generators, kerosene heaters, grills, or camp stoves indoors. Carbon monoxide has no color or smell and can be fatal.
- Heat: Stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, wear loose and light-colored clothing, and stay hydrated.
- Cleanup work: Avoid hard physical labor or disaster cleanup work if you are pregnant or were recently pregnant.
If you feel sick after a disaster in any way, contact a health care provider and mention that you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or were pregnant within the past year.
Build the Rest of Your Household Supply
Pregnancy and newborn supplies are additions to a full household kit, not a replacement for one. Review our guides to emergency food and water storage and home preparedness and family emergency planning to round out the rest of your supplies and put together a communication plan for the whole household.
Reader questions on Emergency Preparedness During Pregnancy and With a Newborn
How much water do I need for mixing formula in an emergency?
Set aside bottled water specifically for formula, separate from your household drinking supply. The CDC recommends at least a 3-day supply of water per person as a baseline, with a 2-week supply if you can store it. Formula preparation and breastfeeding hydration both increase how much water your household actually needs, so plan on the higher end.
Is it safe to breastfeed during a natural disaster?
Yes. Breastfeeding is considered the safest infant feeding option during a disaster because it doesn’t depend on clean water or a heat source. If you’re sick or have specific health concerns, talk with a health care provider about your individual situation.
What should I tell shelter staff if I’m pregnant or have a baby with me?
Tell staff as soon as you arrive. Let them know if you are pregnant, recently had a baby, or have any health concerns, so they can connect you with appropriate support and space.
Can I take over-the-counter medication during an emergency if I’m pregnant?
Talk to a health care provider before taking any medication, including over-the-counter options, while pregnant. Some medications are fine and others aren’t, and this doesn’t change during a disaster. If you can’t reach your usual provider, explain your situation to whichever provider you can reach.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace guidance from a qualified health care provider who knows your specific situation. Always talk to your doctor, midwife, or other provider about your pregnancy, your baby’s health, and any medications or medical decisions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.