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The Well-stocked Diaper Bag

What to Have with You in Case of Emergency

By Renee Roberson

It never fails that your child will show signs of a food or insect allergy when you're away from home and unprepared. Dr. Sears recommends carrying chewable tablets or dissolvable strips of Benedryl in case of emergency because they aren't as messy as a bottle of the product. If you're outdoors and want to use an insect repellent to protect baby's skin, choose one with between 10 and 30 percent of DEET, as long as the child is over 2 months of age. Only use it on the exposed area's of a child's body, and wash it off once you get indoors.

To keep germs at bay, Dr. Sears stresses the importance of hand washing and hand sanitizing to parents who are out with their children. "Hand washing and keeping surfaces clean is as important as carrying medicines because those surfaces are where children pick up germs," he says, adding that it is a good idea to carry travel-sized bottles of hand sanitizer and surface sanitizer in the diaper bag because you never know where you'll have to make a quick diaper change.

When you know ahead of time that an outing is planned, try to pack most of the items you'll need the night before so you won't be rushed and forget an important item. If you can, keep a separate bag with a change of clothes for you and baby, along with an extra blanket to sit on while you're enjoying the fall weather. That way you'll be able to focus on the most important task at hand – introducing your baby to new and fun experiences.