Ideally, mothers should breastfeed babies for as long as possible since breast milk contains nutrients that babies need to maintain their overall health. However, if SHTF and their mother is unable to breastfeed or you have run out of baby formula, try emergency baby formulas to ensure that your baby stays fed during a disaster scenario. (h/t to PrepSchoolDaily.Blogspot.com)
Baby formula recipes
Note that these formulas should only be used as a last resort, such as if you are unable to leave your home to purchase baby formula in stores.
Some things to consider while trying these emergency baby formulas:
- Don't add vitamin supplements to this formula. A baby's liver and kidneys are delicate and adding vitamins to the formula may strain their vital organs.
- Use pure cane sugar, if you have it. A baby needs sugar so they can process protein. Beet sugar, which is used to make granulated sugar sold in stores not made from pure cane sugar, may contain traces of the herbicide Roundup.
- If your baby is under 12 months of age, don't use the formulas that require honey. Giving younger babies honey may put them at risk of infant botulism.
Formula 1: Dry milk powder emergency baby formula
Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cups boiled water
- 1/4 cup non-instant dry milk powder (or 1/2 cup minus 1 tablespoon instant dry milk powder)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Preparation:
- Set the boiled water aside until it cools before adding the other ingredients.
- Combine the milk powder and sugar, then add the mixture to the warm water. Stir until there are no lumps in the milk mixture. Note that some brands of dry milk powders dissolve faster than others.
- Add the coconut oil to the mixture. Pour the mixture into a baby bottle. If you don't have baby bottles, spoon-feed the formula instead.
Formula 2: Evaporated milk emergency baby formula
Ingredients:
- 9 oz water
- 6 oz evaporated whole milk (don't substitute low-fat or nonfat milk)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Preparation:
- Combine all the ingredients, then stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the mixture into a baby bottle.
Formula 3: Cooked rice emergency baby formula
Ingredients:
- 2 cups boiled water
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Preparation:
- Combine the water, rice and sugar in a blender set on high. Process the mixture for at least 5 minutes or until the rice is completely blended in.
- Pour the mixture into a baby bottle.
You should only use these formulas as a last resort because while they contain ingredients that are safe for your baby, none of them provide the essential vitamins and minerals that a growing infant needs.
If you're facing a survival event that lasts more than a day, do your best to find a source of baby formula or look for someone who can nurse your baby.
Prepping with a baby
When prepping with an infant, you must also stock on these emergency supplies before disaster strikes.
- Purified infant water – Use purified infant water when making emergency baby formula. (Related: Basic nutrition for survival: 10 food items to keep in your emergency cache.)
- Maintenance fluids – You'll need maintenance fluids to help your baby stay hydrated if they get sick when SHTF.
- Baby bottles, nipples and sippy cups – You'll need extra bottles for your baby, especially if you suddenly need to bug out and you don't have access to tools to prepare more emergency baby formula while traveling.
- Diapers – Buy baby diapers in bulk and store them in a plastic airtight container. For a more eco-friendly option, stock up on reusable cloth diapers.
- Hand sanitizer – It's best to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water, but you will need hand sanitizer to maintain proper hygiene if you run out of water after SHTF.
Before SHTF, stock up on the necessary food and supplies for your family and for your baby. If you run out of commercial baby formula, use the recipes for emergency baby formulas details above.
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