After reading on preparedness and survival topics I have noticed a real lack of good information on preparing for the special needs of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and very small children. Most of the advice is on the basics like having a few childbirth manuals, some cloth diapers, and extra shoes on hand. This is leaving most of us way under-prepared.
Even if you don't want to have children, have no children yourself, are too old to conceive, or generally consider having children a bad idea right now unplanned pregnancies happen. And many people who you might join up with will have women or girls of childbearing age with them. Do you have a daughter? Eventually she will grow up and become pregnant. Also you might be called upon to help someone who is facing these issues so having important supplies and information will be vital.
I have prepped for these issues because I am a woman of childbearing age with two daughters. I also have 4 children so the daily bumps, bruises, and illnesses that come with small kids is my forte. I nursed all four of my babies from birth to age two and have gone through almost all of the breastfeeding problems.
Many of these items should be part of your prepping already, but some items are only used for these circumstances so an overview of everything needed is a good idea. Also this is not an intense medical supply list. These are things that most intelligent people can use safely or are items that are overlooked in prepping. For real emergency medicine I would recommend talking to a doctor and consulting medical books.

There are two things that I recommend for use with all three groups.

Rice bags- these are cloth bags filled with rice. You heat them up in the microwave or in a warm oven and they can be used on sore muscles, sore bottoms after birth, upset tummies, for menstrual cramps, to warm a bed in an unheated bedroom, keep a baby/child warm in the winter, etc. They are easy to make and can be made to size for different uses. Just be sure not to get them too hot. Care must be taken when putting them on an infant (which I don't do anyways) because it could lead to overheating.

Gatorade- this is good for anyone suffering from diarrhea, dehydration, fever or other illness where dehydration is a problem. It is also good to keep for laboring women because she may not want to eat but will need to keep drinking fluids and getting calories for energy. It is cheap to buy on sale and easy to rotate out. This would not be a good option for babies under 9 months. If at all possible the mother should just nurse the baby every hour to replace fluids lost to the illness.

Things to stock up on for the Expectant Mother

. Stock up on a good once a day pre-natal vitamin. There are good reasons to get a once a day vitamin. Due to morning sickness (which can occur at any time day or night and last all nine months) some women have a hard time swallowing even one pill, and trying to remember to take pills at different times of the day can be difficult too. Also one pill a day is less bulky for storage than three or four.
Stock at least 2 years supply of prenatal vitamins for each women in your group. Why two years and not 9 months? It is because the women will most likely be nursing the baby for at least a year and hopefully up to two years after giving birth. After birth the women will need even more nutrition as the babies demands on milk supply increases. Extra vitamins will make up for any lack in the food available. If you get close to the expiration date and no one needs your vitamins then any adult male or female can take them instead.

Also stock

Vitamin C tablets

Cod liver oil or other omega 3 supplement for at least 2 years supply

Antacids- Pregnant women suffer from severe ingestion at times, especially when under stress

Stool softener- constipation is a problem towards the last trimester, and if her diet is relying on stored food it could be even worse. Straining "down there" in the last trimester is not recommended.

Hemorrhoid Cream- Hemorrhoids are another problem of pregnancy and childbirth and can be very uncomfortable.

Alfalfa supplement- This is said to prevent hemorrhage after birth. You take it for a few weeks before birth. I used this myself at my midwifes request because I have hemorrhaged after giving birth. With the labors I used the alphalfa I had very little bleeding and no hemorrhage. There are quite a few studies that point to it working and it couldn't hurt to be on the safe side. Using appropriate dosages is important though so contacting a midwife and then labeling the bottle with dosage and what time to start using it is a good idea.

Selsun blue Shampoo- when a mother's body gets ready for nursing it can change the ph of her skin. This can lead to an infection on the skin of the breasts. Symptoms are major itching and a rash like condition. One cure is using selsun blue shampoo on the skin of the breasts like soap at bath time. Another cure is a Diflucan tablet, which is also used for yeast infections. Talk to a doctor about stocking and using this medication.

Apple Cider Vinegar: This stops the horrible leg cramps that come with pregnancy and it really does work. Take two tablespoons per day with honey if desired.

Birthing supplies for a home birth:

First of all I would like to say Don't Panic! I know the last thing any of us want is to have a home birth post SCHUMER but it is doable. I have had two home births and two hospital births and I can tell you I would go homebirth all the way if I ever had another baby. I am not a glutton for pain or punishment, nor do I have easy births. So I know that if I can do it anyone can! Pregnancy and birth are natural conditions to the female body and very few go wrong. The key is educating yourself. Reading as much as you can about home birth will be your best defense in preparing for an impending birth. Homebirths have proven statistically as safe or safer than hospital births for healthy women in the U.S. However do not go it alone if at all possible. Get a knowledgeable midwife or a doctor to help you. Or at the very least prepare yourself and those with you for the birthing process. There are many good books on home birth but here are some recommendations.


Birth Emergency Skills Training by Bonnie U. Gruenberg - very good book for midwife training and therefore good for the layperson

Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger-Very informative on both pregnancy questions and childbirth

Ina May's Guide To Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin- This will help explain childbirth, a good look at nutrition, and give lots of tips on dealing with labor pain. I also learned about the Gaskin Maneuver that is used when a baby gets stuck by the shoulders coming out. This helped because it happened with my last homebirth, but the midwife knew what to do, used the Maneuver and baby Caleb was out in seconds with no ill affects. Very good read!

Where there is no doctor- a good manual for any situation

Encyclopedia of Country Living- the section on giving birth alone- very good for if you get caught giving birth without any help

Birth Supplies

Wide plastic sheets, waterproof fabrics- For covering the birth area and to contain all the blood and birth mess. Buy two cheap shower curtains at the dollar store for this purpose.

Blue waterproof absorbent pads or several old blankets- You can buy the pads in pharmacy sections dedicated to incontinents. Use this to prevent bloodstains on the bed while having a heavy postpartum bleeding (i.e. the first 6 hours after birth). These also can be used in other parts of life such as for use when someone has a major injury and is bleeding a lot.

Warm towels and receiving blankets- For covering the baby after birth. If you have a dryer you can run the towels and blankets in it during the last stage of labor. If not then carefully heat them in a warm oven or near the woodstove or other heat source.

Silver nitrate or the Antibiotic Erythromycin or Tetracycline Eye Ointment- This is for putting in the babies' eyes after birth. This will be important as it prevents blindness of the baby. Eye drops at birth are given for the purpose of helping to prevent any possible infection in the babies' eyes from their trip down the birth canal during labor. Eye infections used to be a major cause of blindness in children, and are often due to the same bacteria that cause gonorrhea or chlamidia in women. When a woman is infected with these bacteria (about 20 percent of women with gonorrhea and 70 percent of women with chlamydia don't have identifiable symptoms), they're present in her vagina. As a baby travels through the birth canal they can pick up bacteria present in the mother's vaginal secretions or fluids causing blindness. The reason this is now optional in the U.S. is because it is routine to screen a women for STD's when she finds out she is pregnant. Women who test negative don't have to use the drops on the baby. But post SCHUMER these tests will not be available so it is absolutely necessary to put these drops in. Raising a blind child will not be fun post SCHUMER. If you do not have these medications some doctors recommend the mother expressing her breast milk into the babies eyes, as the first milk is colostrums and full of antibodies.

Clean shoelaces- to tie the cord
Disposable sterile surgical gloves- for the birth attendant
Scissors
Nose bulb syringe- for suctioning mucus from the baby's nose and mouth if necessary
Alcohol wipes or alcohol and cotton balls- to sterilize the scissors and tissues
Olive oil- for massaging the perineum if to prevent tearing
Flashlight- just in case the birth attendant needs additional light in order to massage the perineum or pull the baby while mom is in awkward position
Newborn clothes, diapers, wipes and Vaseline/diaper cream, socks, mittens and hats
A bowl- for placing the placenta in
Hydrogen peroxide for cleaning up any stains- this works extremely well on removing blood from floors and furniture
Anti hemorrhage medications such as Pitocin, methergine, hemabate- These should only be used if you have a doctor/midwife on hand or you have trained to store and use them with an OBGYN or midwife. Hemorrhaging is extremely dangerous and a big killer of women in childbirth so you have to decide if it is better to be trained in the responsible use of the drugs or risk possible hemorrhage. Always put the baby to the breast as soon after birth as possible because it causes the uterus to contract and clamp down cutting the bleeding and helping with the expelling of the placenta.
Lots of flannel receiving blankets for absorption of fluids and drying off baby- You can pick these up brand new at yard sales because women get them by the truckload at baby showers and never use them. They also make handy dust rags, menstrual rags, and bandages.
Gatorade/Sports drink/or other electrolight drink- For mom during birth. Remember that birth takes lots of energy. If you deny food and drink to someone doing the most intense physical activity they will ever perform it can stall labor and reduce moms ability to cope. The reason hospitals do it is because they are looking at a possible future c-section. This operation however will not be an option for most people post SCHUMER.

Postpartum and Nursing Mommy Needs

The Nursing Mothers Companion-Kathleen Huggins- Please get this book! It can be an actual lifesaver for any nursing women you come in contact with. There are many things in this book that even most doctors will not know about because so few women breastfeed in America. This is an absolutely necessary book for reference. Nursing is a lost art form in America. Today only a small percent of women in America breastfeed their babies. We have lost almost all knowledge that was passed from mother to daughter about breastfeeding. Now most women don't know what is normal, or how to deal with breastfeeding problems. The above book is a comprehensive guide to all things breastfeeding. It will give you answers to challenges and problems you are having. Remember that post SHTF if the baby does not have access to a ready source of breast milk or formula it will be stunted or die. So ensuring successful nursing is paramount.

Ibuprofen 800 mg: This is the standard dose for postpartum women. Women can have very strong afterbirth pangs and soreness for the first few weeks whenever she nurses the baby. Nursing causes contractions of the uterus. Also these birth pangs can get more painful with subsequent children. I speak from the experience of women I know and myself.

Tucks Pads: These are used for soothing the swollen or torn tissues of the vaginal area after giving birth or on hemorrhoids. They are like large alcohol pads, but are made with a 50/50 witch hazel water mix. You can make your own by creating the above mix and putting it on sterile pads.

Squirty bottle: This is given out at almost all hospitals to women for use after birth. They are about the size of small bottled water with a screw-on top that squirts out several streams when squeezed. It is used by filling with warm water and possibly a tablespoon of witch hazel and then gently rinsing the genital region of the women after giving birth. It eases soreness and rinses off of the area after urinating. The women might have small tears or skid marks down there after birth and urine will burn badly so rinsing afterwards will relieve the pain and reduce swelling.

Big sanitary pads with wings. Try to get the super overnight ones as flow after birth is extremely heavy.

Lansinoh Breast Cream: Very important cream for mothers. Sore and cracking nipples are frequently a problem when you first start nursing. Do not believe what you read that as long as you position the baby right you'll never feel pain. I have nursed 4 babies, my sister the same, and I have had plenty of talks with other nursing mothers. Pain in the first few weeks happens even if you are doing everything perfectly. It should go away and not hurt at all after about a month but up until then using a breast cream will help. The only product I know that is safe is the Lansinoh brand. One bottle will last a full year or more of nursing because you generally only use very small amounts in the first few weeks.
Antibiotic for breast infection or mastitis- Mastitis is down right miserable, and usually only cured by antibiotics. It can cause a woman to stop nursing or if left untreated can lead to death. Make sure that any antibiotic you stock would work on this infection as well.

Thrush treatment- Thrush is a yeast infection on the nipples of the mother and is generally transmitted from the baby's mouth to the mother's nipples. Stocking up on the treatment for both mom and baby is essential

Breast pads: Used for absorbing leaking milk. You can make them out of thick absorbent flannel or stock the disposable or cloth ones.

Cold packs for engorgement- Engorgement is when the mothers "milk comes in". It is usually way too much and can hurt allot. Using cold compresses will help to ease the engorgement and pain.

Lots of fluids: If you don't drink enough you will slow milk production. Every time the mother nurses she should drink a glass of water.

Hand powered breast pump- This would be in the "Nice to Have" to "The Essential" category depending on the women you have in your group. If a woman goes through really extreme engorgement she will need to express some of the milk to make it possible for the baby to nurse. Not having a way to do this can become very bad because without this step the baby will not be able to latch on effectively to get enough milk and will end up injuring the moms nipples to boot. You can find these brand new and unused at yard sales. Try to buy a good brand like Medila.

Baby sling or carrier- This will make it hands free when mom needs to carry the baby places or do work. I like the sling type because it can be used up to toddler age, has several position options, and makes nursing a breeze. Many infant carriers must be removed before you can nurse the baby but slings don't. They do require practice to get the hang of so it takes some time to feel really comfortable. Slings can also be made very easily out of a long piece of stretchy fabric.

Some Advice from a nursing mother: Here is a tip that I only became aware of because of talking to a wise older mom who nursed her children. When babies are new they drink very small amounts, they have tiny stomachs. This should happen every two to three hours, and more frequently during growth spurts to increase the milk supply. But if the baby never seems satisfied or wants to nurse every hour all the time it could be due to this.
Breast milk is a supply and demand business, the more and longer you nurse the more milk you produce (as long as the baby is latching on correctly), but the first milk that baby gets during a feeding is called the "fore milk" and is like skim milk. Then as baby continues eating the "hind milk" lets down. This is the creamy fatty milk and this is what satisfies hunger for long periods of time. So if baby fills up on the fore milk and can't eat anymore due to a full tummy then he/she will be hungry sooner than if baby had gotten mostly hind milk. The trick is to express some milk before baby nurses so that it will get mostly hind milk. You can use a pump or hand express the milk to do this. Now this can lead to a larger milk supply, but this is generally not a bad thing as most women wish for a larger milk supply, not a smaller one. This tip is especially important for women who have large milk production to start with because then the newborn baby is only getting fore milk all the time. Those little tummies just can't get through to the hind milk before filling up.

Caution! Do not do this the first few days of nursing. The milk that is produced those first days is Colostrum and does not need this measure. It is only after the milk "comes in" at about day 3-5 after birth that you can start doing this.

Essentials for babies and small children

We may soon be going through some very scary times, but life continues and children need to feel secure, loved, and safe to grow up to be normal adults. This is especially true of very small children because they cannot handle the stress of constant fear or unhappiness. So as the parents of these small treasures we not only need to ensure their physical safety, but their mental safety as well. It is tempting to talk about what is going on in front of children, thinking that they can't understand, but even a one year old can understand the stress and emotion he/she witnesses in those around them. Small children cannot differentiate between immediate danger and possible danger. To them it is all the same. So maintaining a calm and even happy attitude in front of the child is a good idea. We of course must teach a child about the new dangers that will come in a post SHCHUMER world, but that is the same as teaching them to look both ways before crossing a street, or not getting in a strangers car. You would not tell the child all the horrific details of child abduction because they would not be able to handle that, and they don't need to know it. Just telling them that they would get hurt is enough for the child to understand. In the same way we do not need to tell a small child about all the horrific aspects of a societal collapse. After all, can that child really do anything about it? Can they go earn money to buy more preps for the family? Or learn how to use a gun at age 6 so they can defend the family? The answer of course is no! Try to keep the info age appropriate. Once the child has a little more maturity and can actually start being trained to do something to help avoid giving lots of details. As children grow to maturity we can train them to recognize danger and be ready for it, but I would caution to wait until the preteen or teen years before full disclosure.

The Complete book of Baby and Child Care from pre-birth through the teen years-Focus on the Family- This is a great all in one reference book and has everything on childhood development, special needs, and illnesses. Also contains color pictures of common childhood illnesses for better identification.

Disposable Diapers and wipes: Disposable diapers and wipes are very handy in bug out bags and for short-term emergencies. In both of those situations you may not have the water to be washing 10 to 20 diapers and wipey cloths a day. Also you have to dry them and if you want to maintain a low profile using disposables in the short term would be a good idea. If you don't end up using them they would make a great trade item and diapers can be used as a large bandage in a pinch.

Cloth Diapers: Obviously cloth diapers are what is needed, but what kind? There are now dozens of styles available to parents beyond the standard "cloth and pin" variety.

Here are a few options:

*Standard cloth diapers that need pins and plastic covers
*Cloth diapers that have Velcro fastenings but are not fitted and require plastic covers
*And then the Mercedes of cloth diapers. A cloth diaper that is all-in-one with liner, absorbent pad, cover, and fitted just like a disposable with easy close Velcro.

I have tried all three and would go Mercedes every time. The brand I have is called Bum Genius but there are many similar varieties online. It is exactly like a disposable in how it is fitted around the legs and waist to prevent leaks, uses Velcro fasteners to close- not pins- and has a built in plastic outer cover that prevents leaks. It also is superior to standard cloth diapers in its ability to wick moisture away from the skin. It is easy to clean and easy to use.

Cloth diapers need to be changed every time the baby urinates or has a bowl movement so you go through a lot of diapers. Breastfed babies poop every time they nurse for the first few months so that's every two to three hours in a twenty-four hour period. You do the math. Also because cloth diapers are less absorbent moisture stays on the skin and you will have diaper rash if your not changing the diapers enough. The Bum Genius line is spendy but then again so are guns, and you will be using diapers every day several times a day so having the better product is a smart idea.

Wipes- You will need to make something to wipe the poop and pee off the baby. You could cut up old flannel sheets, old tee shirts, or some other absorbent soft material. Or you can buy a few packages of washcloths at Wal-Mart for this purpose.

Baby Wipe Solution:
2 cups water
2 Tbls baby shampoo, baby wash, or regular gentle shampoo
1 Tbls baby oil
1 Tbls Witch hazel (optional, but eases diaper rash)

Diaper rash cream with zinc oxide- Get lots at the dollar store, you go through a huge amount when the baby gets a diaper rash. Remember that a child is generally in diapers for 2 to 4 years. Do not bother with the "ointment" style, it doesn't stay on as effectively as the cream with the zinc oxide.

Hydrocortisone cream- For severe diaper rash this helps the pain. Use a low dosage and a very thin layer, It can also be used on rashes and eczema.

7-day treatment yeast infection cream- One type of diaper rash is caused by the same thing that causes a yeast infection in women. It is extremely painful and does not go away with standard diaper rash cream. You will see bright red skin, small white spots, and sometimes even bleeding in places. The baby will scream every time you touch the effected area. Spread the cream sparingly on the rash and only use the 7-day dosage because it is gentler. Do not get the 3 day or 1 day dosage.

Athletes foot cream- This can also be used on severe diaper rash. Use a very thin layer

Anti-diarrheal- Babies and children get diarrhea frequently so make sure to stock a few bottles for both infants and children. Letting diarrhea go too long can be very dangerous, especially in babies.

Stool Softener- When you switch to solid food for a baby they usually go through constipation as their body adjusts. Stock both the children's and infants

Gatorade or sports drink- During a fever or diarrhea you need to replace lost salt and minerals and keep the child hydrated. For babies this is nursing more frequently, but for an older child Gatorade or equivalent will help to replace needed nutrients and fluid. Also you can count on several people in your house catching the same bug so stock and rotate enough in anticipation of that. I have tried the PediaLite brand several times and the child has thrown up every time and then refused to drink more. I tasted it and can totally understand the sentiment so now I just go with the Gatorade.

Antibiotic eye drops- Pink eye or conjunctivitis is extremely common during childhood and sweeps through a family like the plague. Everyone in the household will get it so having several bottles of prescription eye drops with indications on how and when to use it is a good idea. There are two ways of transmission. One is getting it from another person, the second is from getting a cold, wiping your nose and then rubbing it in your eye. Little kids do that all the time, which is why they get pink eye a lot. Also having the eye drops will be useful when your one year old throws dirt into his own eyes while playing outside

Regular eye drops- For flushing eyes when the child gets stuff in them. Get more than you think you will need because children do this frequently.

Vaseline- Has many uses for children and adults

Ipecac syrup- for use when a child swallows something poisonous. Make sure you have a list of things to not use this for. Sometimes vomiting up the stuff will cause more damage than good.

Activated charcoal- again you must be trained on how to use this for poisonings but children are the ones who get poisoned the most often so make sure and stock some.

Infant/Children's Tylenol and Ibuprofen- the worst thing to have is a baby with a fever and no way to bring it down. Many people say fevers are the body's way of fighting disease and this is true, but an adult knows enough to keep eating and drinking even when feeling very sick. A baby or small child does not have that ability and even a low fever can cause the child to stop eating and drinking. Babies become dehydrated very quickly, especially if you have a fever and diarrhea thrown into the mix. Things can go from mildly concerning to deadly in no time flat with babies so stock at least 10 boxes of each in infants and then children's strength.

Ditgital thermometer/forehead thermometer/old fashioned glass thermometer- taking a childs temperature is very important when they are sick. Get the glass kind as a backup when the batteries run out.

Cold and flu meds and treatments- The first treatment for cold and flu is nursing the baby. Mother's milk gives the baby antibodies to any illness Mom is exposed to. So if there is a cold going through the family even if Mom doesn't get any symptoms she is creating antibodies for it and passing that on to baby. Whenever an illness started in my family I would offer feedings as much as my baby would allow. Not surprisingly they rarely got sick when others in our family did. And when they did get the illness it was much milder than the other children. So your first priority should be defense. If there is little or no healthcare available then the less illness in your family the better.

Stocking cold and flu meds is important for a very good reason. Babies have very small lungs and tiny noses. Even a small amount of snot or mucus can make it hard to breath. And the way babies nurse is by breathing through the nose and having the mouth full. So if they can't breath through their nose they can't nurse. If they can't nurse they become dehydrated, lethargic, and then nursing is even more difficult. So you need a way to keep the nose clear for feeding times. Another problem is mucus in the lungs. Children are not effective coughers and some will stop coughing because it hurts. But letting the mucus sit in the lungs is a ticket to pneumonia and that is very bad for little children.

Cold Medications- Most of these you can only get in children's strength because the ones for infants were pulled from the market. Stock up on several different types such as expectorant; cough suppressant, stuffy nose, etc. You will go through huge amounts if you have several children in the home. These may not cure the illness but they will help make the child more comfortable, keep eating, and possibly prevent the illness from getting worse by getting the junk out of the nose and lungs. Allowing mucus to sit in the lungs is not a good idea!

Saline nose drops: This helps thin the snot and makes it easier to get the nose clear

Vapor rub: This eases coughs and clears noses. It can be used on babies, young children, and adults so stock up.

Bulb syringe- If the baby can't breath while nursing you will have to get that snot out. The other way to do this is using your mouth. I would advise picking this item up instead!

Elderberry Cough Syrup: In health food stores as Sambucol- Safe for babies and tastes great. It has mucus thinning and expectorant properties. I have used this several times on myself and several ages of children and can say it does work.

Steam: helps moisten air and ease stuffy noses

Lavender essential oil- Calms children and parents, clears the air and eases breathing put drops into a diffuser or warm bowl of water next to the child

Chamomile essential oil- Calms children and parents, put into a diffuser or warm bowl of water next to the child

Eucalyptus Essential oil- opens up lungs and eases breathing. Caution must be used on babies and small children, reduce dosage and do not apply to the skin, only use in a bowl of warm water next to the child.

Chap stick- Children frequently have chapped lips that will get to the point of cracking and bleeding from them picking or licking the lip area. Stock up on an all-natural kind like Burts Bees honey lip balm. Avoid peppermint flavor as many small children refuse to put it on because it "burns"

Lotion- Baby skin can dry out so a good natural moisturizer for the whole family would be good. I've tried many but Burts Bees is again a good brand to look at

Witch Hazel- Add a tablespoon to the bath water for an infant bath to ease the pain and swelling of diaper rash. Put ¼ cup in a regular sized bath of an older child for sunburn, diaper rash, or irritated itchy skin. This is also an item that is very useful for adults and post partum women.

Liquid infant vitamins-for children under a year, make sure it contains iron

2 years supply of a chewable children's vitamins- make sure it contains iron

Cod liver oil- this is full of Omega-3s and vitamin D. This is very important to brain development in children. I use the liquid kind and mix it into food or give it strait on a spoon to my children when they reached age two. Caution! When first starting this on small children start small and gradually increase to the recommended dose for their age. It can cause diarrhea in children until the body gets used to it.

Baby food grinder- This is very handy for grinding everything from cooked fruits to spaghetti and meatballs. They are hand operated and one will last you forever. I got mine at a yard sale and it has lasted me 12 years and 4 babies. These are very important if you don't have electricity because when you first introduce food it must be paste like. Otherwise the baby will gag or choke. Using a fork or knife not only will take forever but wont do the job.

Kids toothpaste- Most children will refuse to use the adult peppermint kind because it is very strong tasting. You may think you can force them to use it (anyone who has had a toddler is laughing right now) but it will either become a fight to brush their teeth or they may throw up on you while brushing. Some children have a very touchy gag reflex and strong flavors can trigger it. I think it's worth having the kids' flavors on hand.

Bottles and nipples: It may be the plan that mom will nurse the baby, but if she dies or is unavailable you will have to have a way to feed the baby. The best option would be finding another nursing mom, but that is hard to do. Stocking up on 5 to 10 bottles will give you the ability to at least get food in that little tummy.

Formula- Just like the above it's a good idea to stock some cans for emergencies

Pacifiers- This may seem like a nice to have item but if you end up with a baby who has a strong suck need you will either have lots of screaming or Mommy will be constantly nursing the baby. One of my children wanted to suck all the time so the binky was a lifesaver. Teaching the baby to suck a thumb is also an option but can lead to mouth and tooth deformities if you are unable to stop the habit after year one.

Clothing, shoes, socks, and underwear- If at all possible it would be wise to stock several sizes of gently used clothing for each sex. If you have children you can anticipate that they will grow bigger so when you see nice pants or shirts at a yard sale that are 3 sizes too big at a reasonable price pick them up and store them for future use. I only buy what I know my children will actually wear in the future. I also always pick up warm winter coats that are in good condition. The only thing I buy brand new is socks, underwear, and shoes. Right now Wal-Mart has simple canvas kids shoes at $3.00 a pair on the clearance racks. I stocked up on several sizes for my kids future use.

Entertainment

Babies don't need much in the way of entertainment but toddlers do. This is a very important area because you cannot reason with an 18 month old. They do not understand that you are stressed or need things quite. Here are some cheap and simple things to have for those little whirlwinds of energy. It is a good idea to have these in case you cannot let the children out due to danger or bad weather.

Markers/color crayons/coloring books: Get lots of the markers because they are the favorites and tend to dry out
Play doe- very good for when kids can't go outside. Stock some standard jars of it from the store and get the recipe on how to make it at home.
Kids paint, brushes, and paper: Small children love to finger paint
Colored Chalks- young children cannot press down hard enough to make crayons work so chalk is a good option. Also you can pick up a wall chalkboard and hang it where toddlers can reach and it will provide hours of entertainment without using up tons of paper.
Wooden blocks- hours of fun making towers to knock over
Play dishes and cooking stuff- you can pick up real ones at yard sales for cheaper than the play ones. And kids like the real looking ones better anyway.
Sit and bounce balls- These look like a big bouncy ball with a handle at the top. The child sits with the handle between the legs, holds on to the handle and bounces away. This can be used indoors and can help use up energy. It is very good for large muscle stimulation, which some children need a lot of.
Bubbles- Nothing distracts a child like blowing bubbles, they are magical to most small children and babies. Stock up on some cheap ones and break them out when screaming occurs.
Good Picture books that appeal to toddlers: Little Critter books (these seem to appeal to all children), Goodnight Moon, The day the Goose Got Loose, The little duck, The kitten, the Lamb, Where the wild things are, Dr. Suess Books. Small children love repetitive reading so you don't need a huge selection. Most of these can be found at yard sales so stock up.

Small Child Safety

There are two ways most children end up dying. One is illness, the other is accidents. Small children are amazing at finding any hazard in your home and hurting themselves with it. In a SCHUMER situation you want to avoid as many injuries as possible. Constant vigilance is required to prevent choking, poisoning, impaling, drowning, or falls. It really requires a change of mindset. There are many books on childproofing, but the general rule is to get down on the floor and crawl around like a toddler. Anything that is down where the child can reach and is breakable, swallowable, or throwable should be removed. Light plugs should be covered and all knives, sharp objects, firearms, household cleaners, soaps, shampoos or other chemicals should be put up out of reach. You would be surprised at what a 13 month old will eat. Having a safe room (a room that you have thoroughly childproofed and put fun toys in) for the child to play in is a good idea.

To conclude the events of pregnancy, childbirth, and the resulting children are a certainty to be planned for. People are going to keep procreating no matter how horrible things get so the need for these supplies will be either absolutely necessary or at least great trading items. Also knowledge is key. Having the needed information can save lives and make life better for everyone.

I am going to copy this down and pass it along to my daughters and daughter in laws.

Excellent and very thorough post

I was researching the edible and medicinal uses of plants and found that you can safely feed your baby pecan milk, because it's easy to digest.
It is very important to know these things in case we do not have all the comforts of home available