Prepping for a baby...

[preppingsu]

... but the wife is due early january so I might be otherwise engaged.

Congrats to TomW and his missus on the impending birth. This got me thinking about prepping for a baby (I know many of us are past that point). It would be useful to consider what you would need, what needs to be resusable, how to prep for the growth/development into toddlers, etc etc.
Lists, comments, ideas, questions, links to resources - please add them here.

[TomW]

Thanks

It's certainly been the hardest to prep for but also good that they're preps were definitely going to need! All our 'kit' revisions have been based on the sustainability lines for Eco and prepping reasons. Re usable nappies for the bulk of it but disposables for days out and camping. Hoping to breastfeed but will probably be keeping a stock of formula for the jic scenarios. Bug out bags have been adjusted and new hospital orientated ones created.r

[KalPrep]

It's a really good point. I have a young family and have a special section set aside in my preps for kid specific stuff. All the regular throw away stuff is low on the prep list and more things such as towels, muslin, soaps and cleaning stuff are higher up. Some of the older toy favourites will make their way in there as entertainment and comfort will be essential.

I have a lot of books and am looking at building up more educational stuff from the charity shops etc. In terms of food, we are in a stage where both kids will eat things like rice, pasta etc easily so other than some longer term snacks/treats they can eat what we do.

The main plan for me in this current period is the following....

Bug In
Bug Out by Car
Bug Out by Foot

I have my BoB being prepped but that is geared more towards me having to go out to renew supplies, make contact rather than moving the family. As the kids get older, the relative priorities of options will certainly change. Right now, with my lad, I am going to adding in prep type activities and learning into our normal routine do he is being prepared without really thinking it!

[bulldogeagle]

I'm glad i havent got kids, i would hate to have to Bug Out with a young baby.

[luxor]

Congrats to TomW and his missus on the impending birth.

ditto
do you know if its a boy or girl yet tom?

[diamond lil]

Hope it doesnt arrive the same day my youngest did 1st Jan ! Poor wee soul never had a birthday party until he was 18 and organised it himself in his digs

[TomW]

Got to agree re bugging out. It would be hard enough living rough alone! It's a scary thought and pushes up the need for securing our current location sufficiently and having a good secondary in place.

We decided against finding out what it is, bit like knowing what you're getting for Christmas It's due 7th of january but I'm not convinced it will wait that long

[preppingsu]

OK, this is what I am thinking:

-ideally breastfeed initially but if unable to do that then you would need a supply of bottles, a supply of teats in various sizes (holes that is) so as baby grows the flow of milk changes, a way to sterilise bottles (water method with fluid or tablets, steam if you have power/microwave.

- nappies - if you choose disposable you would need to consider a supply of different sizes, how many is anybodys guess, so in reality a resusable system would be best. Again you need various sizes to cope with growth of the baby with flushable/decomposable liners and plastic pants. BUT what about washing them? I initially you need to soak and I have personally used bicarb of soda and cold water to soak. Then you need an efficient washing system. Obviously washing machine - great but what happens if there is no power? What happens if there is no water? Think about how you would wash them then - and prep for everything you need. The positive is you will potty train your child much earlier!!!

- clothes: babies grow at an enormous rate and grow out of clothes very quickly. Don't be ashamed to take any hand me downs offered, even if they are far too big for the moment. Store them until needed. When friends/family ask what can they buy for the baby ask for clothes but in bigger sizes. Buy basics from the supermarket range/primark etc and stock up on various sizes. Learn how to use a sewing machine and make basic dungarees and tops. Go to NCT Nearly New sales for 2nd hand clothes at reasonable prices, check out NetMums where people sell bags of baby clothes as well as baby equipment.

-weaning - feed the baby fresh veg/fruit and as they grow everything that you eat (but mushed down!). That way you save money (no shop bought food) and hopefully have a non fussy eater!

This are just a few of my thoughts and if i think of any more I'll post again.

[the-gnole]

Babies don't have that many needs, amazing as it may seem, just a trawl through other cultures ways will show how they deal with life away from our consumerist softie culture in the Westernised world.

http://www.mamaroobabysling.com/newsite ... -Free.html

Very few will want to follow this type of baby upbringing (I know we certainly didn't), but then again we aren't really going to be heading into a world where we will have to do without many of the trappings of modern life anytime soon.

But the info is there, Just in case

[preppingsu]

Babies don't have that many needs, amazing as it may seem, just a trawl through other cultures ways will show how they deal with life away from our consumerist softie culture in the Westernised world.

http://www.mamaroobabysling.com/newsite ... -Free.html

Very few will want to follow this type of baby upbringing (I know we certainly didn't), but then again we aren't really going to be heading into a world where we will have to do without many of the trappings of modern life anytime soon.

But the info is there, Just in case

I remember looking at this and although I had a slight inclination towards it, the fact it it is very time consuming espeically if running a household. But worth having the information saved!!